Opportunities - 7FP - Research for the benefit of SME's

Research for SMEs supports innovative SMEs to solve common or complementary technological problems. Projects must be centred on the innovation needs of the SMEs which outsource research to RTD performers and must demonstrate a clear exploitation potential for the SMEs concerned.

Deadline for project proposal submission : 03 December 2009 at 17:00:00 (Brussels local time)

Download the information brochure from the EC.
Download the work programme.
See also the presentation of Luc de Ridder from IWT a here.
Find all formal details and supporting documents here.

Topics

Research for SMEs is a bottom-up scheme: the projects may address any research topic across the entire field of science and technology (except research relevant to the EURATOM Programme).

Participants

Research for SMEs projects require participants from the following two categories:

1. SME participants:

At least three independent SME participants, established in three different Member States (MS) or Associated countries (AC).

They must be SMEs as defined by Recommendation 2003/361/EC (See also the SME Techweb site).
However, SMEs that are research centres, research institutes, contract research organisations or consultancy firms are not eligible as SME participants.

SMEs are the direct beneficiaries of the scheme: they outsource part of their research need by investing in research activities carried out by the RTD performers. The grant will cover only part of this investment. The SME participants normally retain the full right of use and dissemination of any project results ("foreground").

Projects are centred around the economic interest of the SME participants which will take an active role by defining their specific technological needs and will ensure that the research performed complies with their requirements. No decision in the consortium shall be taken against the collective interest of the SME participants. They will provide input and will contribute to the research activities where appropriate and will be directly involved in the take-up and exploitation of the research results to their own best advantage.

2. RTD performers:

At least two RTD performers independent from any other participant. RTD performers are legal entities carrying out research and technological development activities for the benefit of SME participants. Examples of RTD performers are universities, research organisations and industrial companies, including research performing SMEs.

In addition, other enterprises and end-users may participate by making a particular contribution to the project and in solving specific problems or needs of the SME participants involved, though not in a dominant role. They must be independent from any other participant.