This grant scheme will financially support the participation of local researchers from Eastern Partnership and Central Asian countries in brokerage events related to Horizon2020 in the EU Members States or Associated Countries. The thematic priorities of the call are the three Societal Challenges targeted by the projects, namely ‘Health’, ‘Energy’ and ‘Climate Change’. Maximun funding per grant is 3000 EUR.

TheFP7-funded IncoNet EaP and IncoNet CA projects have developed a grant scheme to financially support the participation of local researchers from Eastern Partnership and Central Asian countries in large-scale brokerage events and other similar activities in EU Member States or Associated Countries, which are related to Horizon2020. Such events provide an excellent arena for researchers to liaise and develop synergies, therefore the participation of researchers from the targeted countries will increase their opportunities to get involved and be taken onboard in consortia set up in EU MS/AC countries. It will also allow the researchers to make their institutions and/or their research networks better known.

The thematic priorities of the call are the three Societal Challenges targeted by the two projects, namely: ‘Health’, ‘Energy’ and ‘Climate Change’. The events that can be chosen from will be: Networking events, Brokerage events organised by the European Commission, large international events organised by other European networks (e.g Enterprise Europe Network).

22.09.2015: There are 2 recommended events: ‘AquaMatch 2015’ (5 November 2015) and ‘Energy Days Graz 2016’ (14 January 2016) for which you will have to apply soon! 

Guidelines for Applicants

• download complete guidelines (.pdf)
• download application form (.docx)
• list of local partners (.pdf)

Eligibility criteria

These criteria have to be met in order to be eligible for participation.

• Be a member or an employee of a research institution/organization and/or of a network of organizations and/or of a higher education institution and/or of an SME-enterprise working on research. The aim is that the participation will have a multiplier effect in the country and/or region.
• Conduct research in one of the partner countries (AR, AZ, BY, GE, KG, KZ, MO, TJ, TM, UA, UZ)
• Submit a completely filled in application form along with all the required documentation.
• Have a PhD degree and/or at least three years’ full time experience in research.
• Carry out research in one of Societal Challenges: Health, Energy or Climate Change.
• Speaking fluent English.
• Some international experience (already existing contacts in other countries, participation in previous international conferences and collaborations, etc.).
• Commitment to participate in Horizon2020 calls.

Evaluation criteria

• Scientific excellence/Research performance (publications, patents, project, etc.) (40% of the score)
• IncoNet EaP and IncoNet CA have received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreements no 609528 and 609508 respectively.
• Previous international cooperation activities (projects and/or structured cooperation with other countries; trainings abroad; participation in international conferences, etc.) (20% of the score)
• Commitment to take full advantage of the participation in the event: expected outcome, concrete plans for cooperation, participation in Horizon2020 calls should be described in more detail (40% of the score)

Additional evaluation criteria

• Gender: Encouragement of female researchers to participate
• Encouragement of young researchers
• Additional activities planned during the event (e.g. giving a presentation, taking part in a poster session, submitting a partner search profile, scheduling a bilateral meeting etc.)

Deadlines

Individual deadlines apply for recommended events.

Final deadline for submission: 1st of February 2016
Latest date of the selected event: 31 May 2016

Selection Process

Formality and eligibility check

The Local IncoNet CA/EaP Partner will be responsible for the formality and eligibility check. Applications which do not comply with the eligibility criteria will not be considered within the evaluation process.

Evaluation

The evaluation, based on a specified scoring matrix (see below) will be carried out by the Local Partners, the Task Leader and the Coordinator.
IncoNet EaP and IncoNet CA have received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreements no 609528 and 609508 respectively.

Scoring Matrix

IncoNet EaP and IncoNet CA have received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreements no 609528 and 609508 respectively.

Funding Requirements

The Grants will be paid by the Local Partner (see list of local partners) as a reimbursement for travel costs (travel, accommodation, event participation fee, visa costs and per diem or actual expenses in accordance to Local Partner rules). The Grant cannot exceed 3000 euro. If the cost of participation exceeds this amount, the additional cost must be borne by the Grant recipient. An advance payment up to 75% of the budget may be paid to the Grant recipients (covering travel, accommodation and visa) while the remaining costs (per diem, actual expenses during stay, according to the Local Partner rules) will be reimbursed upon the return of the researcher and the handing of the participation evidence and related documents (Event Participation Report) to the Local Partner.

Recommended Events

In case of two recommended Events RCISD provides the selected participants with a one-day training back-to-back with the Brokerage Event. Nomination of at least one scientist from each CA/EaP country for these events is highly recommended. Eligibility, evaluation criteria, selection and evaluation procedure are the same like in the general scheme above. Costs of the participating scientists are covered from the budget of the Local Partners dedicated for the Grant Scheme to facilitate the participation of CA/EaP countries in Brokerage Events.

Event 1: AquaMatch 2015

Date: 5 November 2015
Venue: RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Registration deadline: 11 October 2015
Deadline for applications: 5 October 2015
Training: 4 November 2015, provided by RCISD
Registration fee: free of charge
Number of days covered by the project: 3-6 November, 3 nights

Description: On November 5, 2015 you are welcome to participate in the AquaMatch, an international Water Technology & Innovation brokerage event. The event is organised by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Enterprise Europe Network. The AquaMatch will take place at Aquatech Amsterdam during the Amsterdam International Water Week. From 2 – 6 November you’ll have access to the Aquatech Amsterdam exhibition, an extensive conference and workshop programme and various excursions. The extensive programme provides many opportunities, to share your knowledge and experience, learn from water professionals & best practices and be inspired by the world’s most leading water experts.

Topics: Water treatment, Water re-use, Monitoring & Sensoring; Water & ICT; Water Management; Water & Energy; H2020; Eurostars; LIFE, Partners for Water

More information: https://www.b2match.eu/aquamatch2015

Event 2: Energy Days Graz 2016

Date: 14 January 2016
Venue: Messeturm, Messeplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
Registration deadline: 12 January 2016
Deadline for applications: 5 January 2016
Training: 13 January 2016, provided by RCISD
Registration fee: free of charge
Number of days covered by the project: 12-15 January, 3 nights

Description: The Häuslbauermesse Graz is a regional fair which is well known in Austria and its neighbouring countries. This fair attracts approximately 400 exhibitors and 40,000 international visitors every year. The matchmaking event during the Häuslbauermesse 2016 will take place in the Grazer Stadthalle at the centrally located Grazer Messe. The Stadthalle is easily and quickly reachable by car, train and also from the Airport Graz since it is near the town centre and yet close to the motorway (Exit “Graz Ost”). There are plenty of parking places next to the Stadthalle. Two trams (No. 4 and No. 5) to the city centre run directly in front of the event area.

Topics: Solar technology/Photovoltaic, Insulation, Heating/Cooling/Ventilation, Heat Recovery, Biomass, Waste Water Treatment

More information: https://www.b2match.eu/energydaysgraz2016

Contact

Please get in touch with the Local Partner in your country for any questions regarding the eligibility criteria and the application process.

For general enquiries you can also contact:

Ágota Dávid
International Expert
Regional Centre for Information and Scientific Development, RCISD
H-1021 Budapest, Hűvösvölgyi út 54. V./1
E-mail: agota.david@rcisd.eu