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Research for SMEs

For many European small and medium-sized enterprises, continued success and robust growth is linked to competitiveness in the global economy. Fresh ideas and novel approaches to business are important for SMEs to compete in today’s globalised market. Research is an integral part of this process. In the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the European Commission continues to provide financial support to innovative SMEs investing in the acquisition of new knowledge from RTD providers to improve their competitiveness.

 

THE CALL 2012 WILL BE PUBLISHED THE 12TH OF JULY!

Deadline: 06 December 2011 at 17:00:00 (Brussels local time)



Objectives:

Research for SMEs supports small groups of innovative SMEs in solving common or complementary technological issues and acquiring technological know-how.

Projects must fit into the overall business and innovation needs of the SMEs, which are given the opportunity to subcontract research to RTD performers in order to get the necessary knowledge. The main objective is to improve SME competitiveness by investing in the acquisition of new knowledge from RTD providers.

The relationship between the SMEs and the RTD performers under this programme is t a “customer-seller” one. RTD performers undertake research on behalf of an international consortium of SMEs, and they are remunerated for their services with a significant portion of the research costs funded by the EU.

Principal focus:

Particular emphasis is given to the economic impact of the results for the participating SMEs. They are to consider the findings’ relevance in the context of EU policies and their capacities to promote the dialogue between the research community, explore wider societal issues and address possible synergies with education initiatives.

It is important to note, that Research for SMEs is a bottom-up scheme, the research topics cover the entire range of science and technology challenges faced by the SMEs.

Activities supported by Research for SMEs:

Within the framework of each project, Research for SMEs scheme supports SMEs in:
  • Research and technological development activities
  • Demonstration activities 
  • Training and dissemination activities 
  • Management activities 
  • Financial Support 
  • Intellectual Property Rights

     Requirements for the consortium:

  • SME participants
    A consortium must contain at least three independent SMEs, established in three different Member States or associated countries. SME participants cannot be research centres, contract research organisations or consultancy firms 
  • RTD performers
    At least two RTD performers which must be independent
    from any other participant and which can come from any country. Examples
    of RTD performers are universities, research organisations and industrial
    companies, including research performing SMEs. 
  • Other enterprises and end-users
    A project consortium may additionally include other enterprises and end-users who contribute to the projects, though only in a secondary role.

The size of the consortium should be between 5 and 10 participants. The overall budget of the project should be between € 0.5 million to € 1.5 million and the duration of the project should normally be between 1 and 2 years.

The coordination of a funded project is normally assigned to one of the SME participants or RTD performers. The organisation acting as a coordinator must have the necessary competence to effectively assume all coordination responsibilities.


Intellectual property rights:

SMEs retain full ownership of the intellectual property rights. The consortium may however reach a different agreement in their own best interests, as long as the SMEs are provided with all the rights that are required for their intended use and dissemination of the project results.

EC contribution:

The European Community will provide a financial support to the project which covers only a part of the total costs. The SME participants will therefore have to contribute with own resources, in cash or in-kind, to the project. The EC contribution is based on the following funding limits for individual activities:

  • Research and technological development activities: maximum of 75 % of the eligible costs. 
  • Demonstration activities: maximum of 50% 
  • Management and other activities: maximum of 100%

One important rule for the calculation of the EC contribution:
In order to achieve the aim of promoting the outsourcing of research and demonstration activities, the financial support to the project will be limited to 110% of the total amount of the subcontracting to the RTD performers (price to be invoiced by RTD performers to SMEs).

Participating in Research for SMEs:

To prepare a proposal please refer to the: 

  • ”Capacities” work programme: "Research for the benefit of SMEs" 
  • Guide for applicants "Research for SMEs" 
  • Guide to Intellectual Property Rules for FP7 projects 
  • Rules for the submission of proposals 
  • Guide to financial issues

These documents and additional information about the open calls are available on the Cordis Web Site: 



The network of National Contact Points (NCP) for SMEs is the main provider of advice and individual assistance in all Member States and associated countries.

NCP SMEs promote SMEs participation in all FP7 programmes (essentially Capacities, Cooperation and People Work programmes). They offer a wide range of services and should be the first contact when preparing a proposal.

You can easily find the contact details of the designated National Contact Points of your country in the part “National representatives” of NCP SMEs Network web portal.