THE EraSME 9TH CALL IS NOW OPEN!

Deadline: 30 September 2011

Objectives:
The objective of EraSME is to promote the cooperation between European SMEs without R&D capacities and research organisations, in order to help SMEs with big ideas to access resources they may not posses, such as equipment and knowledge.

This way, EraSME offers a combined European approach to strengthen the competitive capacities of SMES by:
• Initiating collaboration between SMEs from different countries/regions
• Helping SMEs to link up with those RTOs that can help them to tackle their unique research challenges
• Increasing the cooperative and competitive capability of SMEs in international R&D networks
• Increasing the ability of RTOs to cooperate with European SMEs.

Building a long-term strategic partnership with RTOs allows SMEs to concentrate on their core business while increasing their competitiveness. As for RTOs, they get a possibility to work in a commercial environment and acquire a better understanding of the market. 

Principal focus: 
EraSME aims to target businesses which, instead of developing research in-house, are ‘research acquiring’, they obtain their research from outside the company. These must also fulfil the EU-adopted definition of SME and be established in a participating country/region.
EraSME projects must be transnational, innovative and close-to-market, with the intention of developing new products, processes and services.
In order to receive funding, projects must be run by SMEs and be able to demonstrate a real market potential. SMEs must be able to show that they will benefit most from the project results.
It is important to note, that EraSME is a bottom-up scheme, the research topics cover the entire range of science and technology challenges faced by the SMEs.

Requirements for the consortium:
SMEs and RTOs from any participating countries or regions can take part in EraSME Joint Calls. Funding possibilities are offered in various project formats. Small projects can already be set up with two SMEs from two different participating countries/regions and one RTD performer.
Larger projects should contain at least four SMEs from two different countries/regions, and at least two RTD performers. There is no limits in the number of partners, but the proposal must however be realistic in terms of the project management. The partners should nominate a projects coordinator who will submit the proposal, lead the project and be in charge of reporting. Additional project partners such as large companies or partners from other countries/regions may also be involved, but in most cases they will not be funded and cannot lead the consortium.

Project funding:
Public agencies will fund participating partners according to their applicable national/regional regulations

To find a local contact point in your country, please consult :

http://www.era-sme.net/public/help-desk/information-on-the-current-5th-call/documents/Your%20local%20contact%20point.pdf

or the page National Representatives of this web portal

Participating in EraSME Joint Calls:
An average of two calls for proposals is planned per year. Any SME that wishes to participate must build or join a consortium and submit a project proposal. To do it, please use the “Form for applicants” , that must completed in English. This form can then be uploaded electronically through the EraSME website.

For more information: www.era-sme.net