Excellence in Research and Innovation under Horizon 2020

The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020 Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation Teaming Kick off meetings 2019

Teaming in H2020 Objective: Creation of new (or significant upgrade of existing) Centres of Excellence in low R&I performing or "Widening" countries The Partnership (minimum conditions): 2 parties in each project (1) the COORDINATOR from a "Widening" country (must be a national/regional authority, research funding agency, university or res. organisation) (2) a university or res. organisation with an international reputation in R&I excellence (from all EU28 or AC) not from the country of the coordinator Implementation in 2 Phases

Teaming Phase 2 Extract from the WP Phase 2: "Subject to the financial commitment for the project from other sources, the Commission may provide substantial financial support (max. 15 million) for the first steps of implementation (5-7 years) of the Centre covering administrative, personnel and operational costs as well as "minor" support for equipment and consumables." Synergies with ESIF: Teaming is a unique instrument that promotes synergies as it encourages the deployment of ESIF to cover the complementary funding for non H2020 costs of the CoE (i.e. infrastructure).

Key success factors maximised Long term financial commitments from relevant authorities Scientific and innovation potential of the CoE Growth impact for the CoE for the country/region Solid partnership and strong engagement of partners Full autonomy in decision making for the new CoE Long term self-sustainability of the CoE Alignment with RIS 3 - Comparative advantages

Autonomy WP text:Demonstrate how the newly established/upgraded Centre will have full autonomy in decision making. In particular, the Centre of Excellence should have the maximum degree of autonomy in terms of taking its own decisions, being in legal, administrative, operational, personnel and academic matters. The Centre should be able to set and pay competitive salaries for its personnel. - Need max degree of autonomy (not necessarily full) respecting national applicable laws Not essential for CoE to be a separate legal entity it could remain under an umbrella organisation e.g. university). - Key elements could be (non-exhaustive list): - Autonomy in recruitment/HR issues/salary setting for the CoE - Financial autonomy, i.e. separate budget line - Separate infrastructure building for the CoE - Academic autonomy in terms of setting its own research agenda 5

Robust HR Strategy WP text: Propose a robust human resource strategy (also encouraging gender equality), ensuring appropriate administrative and management capacities for the effective and efficient running of the Centre of Excellence. - Closely linked with autonomy need independent and open recruitment procedures especially for management posts Transparent procedures, attracting the best talents in the CoE - Key elements could be (non-exhaustive list): - - - - - Open recruitment strategy (e.g. publication of vacancies in EURAXESS) Description of strategy of CoE to offer competitive salaries Attracting international talent from abroad Robust management structure of the CoE Ways of ensuring gender equality in recruitment 6

(Financial) Sustainability WP text: Elaborate on the steps that will be taken to ensure long term self-sustainability after the end of the Horizon 2020 project. - Teaming is not a standard research project it is about institution building so need to ensure continuity after the end of the EU funding. Partners (both advanced and widening) should foresee a long term horizon for cooperation. - Key elements could be (non-exhaustive list): - - Clear (financial) sustainability plan in the proposal Outline of activities that will bring income to the CoE (i.e. offering of services, openings to industry) Technology transfer activities Diversification strategy on different sources of income - - 7

(Expected) Impact of Teaming The creation of CoEs in "Widening" Countries through Teaming is expected to: -increase the scientific capabilities of these countries and enable them to engage in a strategic growth path pointing to long-term opportunities for economic development. -through improved scientific capabilities allow these countries to improve their chances to seek competitive funding in EU and international fora. - contribute towards improving the R&I culture of the Widening country (indicators such as research intensity, innovation performance, values towards R&I) - achieve a two-way benefit from/to the advanced partners. 8

The ideal CoE in a decade Ambitious structure - pioneer of change in the country Attractive framework conditions of operation (legal, administrative financial) Jobs and growth - employing +100 researchers attracting international talent - hub for excellence State of art science and innovation flourishes within the CoE Financial Sustainability Majority of income from competitive funding, dependence on institutional funding minimal Less dependence on advanced partner(s) expertise achieves international recognition 9

Our expectations Serious engagement from all for the implementation Commission and REA fully committed (High level representation to kick off meetings, close monitoring and support from project and policy officers) Ensure the complementary funding promised is there Ensure autonomously the Centres can operate freely and The GOAL: Create "jewels of excellence" across Europe

BEING A PIONEER. "The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before." Albert Einstein . But you will not be left alone!