Frequently Asked Questions
- What do BILAT-USA and Link2US projects offer?
- I am looking for funding for my research project with EU/U.S.
- I want to learn about the participation rules of U.S. entities in the 7th Framework Programme
- I am looking for a partner from EU/U.S. for my research project idea.
- I am looking for information sources on the EU Framework Programme.
- I am looking for information sources on the national programmes of U.S that are open for European researchers.
1. What do BILAT-USA and Link2US projects offer?
These two projects were initiated to establish an information platform and S&T observatory in order to provide information on ongoing cooperation and cooperation possibilities within the Framework Programme and the national programmes of the major U.S. institutions.
BILAT-USA and Link2US projects are not research funding programmes. Therefore, they do not provide any funding for any type of project. They do not offer any partner search service either.
2. I am looking for funding for my research project idea with EU/U.S.
If you want to receive funding for EU-U.S. cooperation project, please check the following web-sites:
2.1 Open FP7 Calls specifically addressing U.S. participation
Based on the participation rules indicated below, all 3rd country participants can participate in FP7. Nevertheless, in some cases, for example under the thematic areas or under international cooperation programme, there can be calls specifically targeting 3rd countries. In this section we will publish those calls targeting specifically U.S.
The most current calls were published end of July 2010.
BILAT-USA will provide up-to-date information on work programmes/topics that include U.S. participation explicitly (either as mandatory or recommended). This information can be found at the following link:
http://www.euussciencetechnology.eu/bilat-usa/framework-program.html#opencalls
2.2 EU-U.S. Cooperation possibilities within the national programmes in the U.S
The Link2US project has initially identified fourteen funding programmes within six US federal government entities that open to European Union researchers. This information is available under the following link:
http://www.euussciencetechnology.eu/link2us/funding-opportunities.html
2.3 European national funding programmes supporting bilateral cooperation with the U.S.
In many cases the national funding institutions of the European countries have bilateral funding programmes with their counterpart organizations in the U.S. Please consult these organizations (in your country) directly, in order to find out the funding possibilities with the U.S.
Below you can find the list of main funding institutions in applied science and in basic science in Europe:
Basic Science
Austria:
Belgium
The Research Council of the French-speaking Community of Belgium
The Research Foundation - Flanders
Czech Republic
The Czech Science Foundation (GACR)
Denmark
The Danish Council for Independent Research
Estonia
The Estonian Science Foundation (ETF)
Finland
France
The French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA)
The French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER)
The national institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM)
The French National Research Agency(ANR)
The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)
The French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control (INRIA)
IDR - Institut de recherche pour le Développement (IDR)
Germany
The Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
The German Research Foundation
Greece
The National Hellenic Research Foundation
Hungary
The Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA)
Iceland
The Icelandic Center for Research (RANNIS)
Ireland
Italy
The Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment (ENEA)
The National Research Council (CNR)
The National Institute of Nuclear Physics(INFN)
Luxembourg
The National Research Fund Luxembourg
Norway
The Research Council of Norway
Portugal
The Science and Technology Foundation
Slovakia
Slovak Research and Development Agency
Slovenia
Spain
The Spanish National Research Council
Sweden
Switzerland
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
The Netherlands
The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Turkey
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)
United Kingdom
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
The Medical Research Council (MRC)
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
United States
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Science Foundation (NSF)
Applied Science
Austria
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency
Belgium
Estonia
Finland
Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (TEKES)
France
Germany
VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH
Hungary
The National Office for Research and Technology (NKTH)
Iceland
The Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS)
Ireland
Italy
Ente per le Nuove Tecnologie, I'Energia e l'Ambiente (ENEA)
Agenzia per la diffusione delle tecnologie per l’innovazione
Norway
The Research Council of Norway (RCN)
Poland
Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP)
Portugal
Agencia de Inovacao (ADI)
Slovenia
The Slovenian Technology Agency (TIA)
Spain
Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI)
Sweden
Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA)
Switzerland
The Swiss Innovation Agency (CTI)
The Netherlands
Turkey
Türkiye Teknoloji Gelistirme Vakfi (TTGV)
United Kingdom
United States
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
3. I want to learn about the participation rules of U.S. entities in the 7th Framework Programme
The 7th Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (“FP7”) is principally open to participation of third countries, countries that are not in the EU and not associated to the 7th Framework Programme.
International S&T Cooperation in FP7:
- EU-27
- Associated (Candidate) Countries (same conditions as member states)
- International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC) are defined as the countries that are classified as low or middle –income third countries
- Other third countries
- Industrialized Countries (e.g. USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand…)
- Others
Principally all legal entities from U.S. may participate in indirect FP7 activities (assuming that minimum conditions indicated in the FP7 ‘Rules for Participation’ have been met) Normally, they are not eligible to receive an EC financial contribution to cover the costs related to their participation in the project. This means that participants from U.S. will have to cover their participation cost from other sources (own resources, national funding agencies, etc)
Legal entities from U.S. may, exceptionally, be granted an EC financial contribution if certain conditions are met, notably if:
- Such funding is provided for in a bilateral scientific and technological agreement or any other arrangement between the Community and the U.S. or
- Clear provisions foreseeing funding for entities established in U.S. are included in the work programme for call for proposals;
- In absence of the above specifications in the work programme, the participation of the entity is essential for carrying out the indirect action (such as due to its unique experiences/ capacities among other partners) while carrying out the project tasks by this organization is impossible without the EC funding, as there is no possibility of getting funds from alternator sources. This should remain an exception and must be duly justified by the proposers.
U.S. project participants have to sign the Grant Agreement, and if applicable the consortium agreement even if they do not receive any EC funding. This condition should be taken into account by the coordinator already at the proposal preparation stage. Nevertheless, participants who do not receive EC funding can be excluded from financial and payment provisions (such as certificate on financial statements, financial audits, etc) by adding a special clause to the grant agreement and if necessary to the consortium agreement. All other previsions (such as IPR) apply.
As a summary, participation (not funding) of entities from U.S. is principally possible even if it is not specifically mentioned in the work programme or topic.
4. I am looking for a partner from EU/U.S. for my research project idea.
As indicated above, BILAT-USA and Link2US projects do not offer a partner search service. Nevertheless, this platform can offer various sources that you can utilize for finding partners:
4.1 Cordis Partner Search
The following web-sites of Cordis provide partner search service:
http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/partners_en.html
http://cordis.europa.eu/partners-service/home_en.html
4.2- BILAT-USA/ Inventory of Existing Task Forces& Working Groups…
BILAT-USA Project includes an inventory of
- Thematic task forces/working groups between EU and U.S.;
- Thematic task forces/working at EU level and in the U.S. (at national level) in the following fields: environment, metrology, materials science (including nanotechnology), non-nuclear and renewable energy, information technology, space and security, Food, Agriculture & Fisheries, and Biotechnology and Health. (These topics have been chosen since they are mentioned in the Science & Technology Cooperation Agreement EU and U.S. as areas of cooperation).
- ERA-Nets in the following fields: environment, metrology, materials science (including nanotechnology), non-nuclear and renewable energy.
- Other related cooperation
The inventory results may help you to view the existing cooperation and find out potential partners.
Inventory can be found at the following link:
http://www.euussciencetechnology.eu/bilat-usa/inventory.html
4.3- NCP Thematic Networks/Projects
The National Contact Point system is widely known in the European S&T area, especially by those who are familiar with the Framework Programme. Network of National Contact Points is the main structure to provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
NCP system is implemented at the national level. Therefore, the type and level of services offered may differ from country to country. In general, the following basic services will be available in accordance with the Guiding Principles agreed by all countries:
- Guidance on choosing thematic priorities and instruments
- Advice on administrative procedures and contractual issues
- Training and assistance on proposal writing
- Distribution of documentation (forms, guidelines, manuals etc.)
- Assistance in partner search
There are 18 thematic networks/projects within the overall Network of Contact Points. These correspond to themes found in the Seventh Framework Programme and operate on a Europe-wide basis. The thematic networks aim to support regional stakeholders in enhancing science- and technology-based development. The networks also provide services, training and information to regional authorities, research institutions and enterprises.
The FP7 NCP networks/projects and contact information are indicated below:
|
Name of the Project |
Related Theme |
Web-site |
Contact |
|
Creating a circle by extending the BIO NCP network to Third Country NIPs |
Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) |
http://www.biocircle-project.eu |
APRE, Italy ZURLO Claudia Tel: +39-0648939993 |
|
Trans-national co-operation among national contact points for Marie Curie actions |
Marie Curie actions |
MATIMOP, Israel COHEN Yaacob Tel: +972-3-5118105 |
|
|
Coordination action to improve trans-national co-operation of NCPs regional |
Trans-national co-operation among NCPs |
http://transregncp.eu |
IPPT, Poland, BAKOWSKI Aleksander Tel: +48-228287483 |
|
Trans-national co-operation among national contact points for socio-economic sciences and the humanities |
Socio-economic sciences and the humanities |
http://www.net4society.eu |
DLR, Germany, REUSCHENBACH Hermann-Josef Tel: +49-2283821135 |
|
COSMOS Coordination of space NCPs as a means to optimise services |
Space |
http://www.fp7-space.eu/about-cosmos-1.phtm |
DLR, Germany KLEIN Adrian Tel:+49228447213 Fax:+4922447386
|
|
Trans-national cooperation among ICT national contact points |
Information and Communication Technologies |
http://www.ideal-ist.de/index.html |
DLR, Germany, CHEFKI Mohsine Tel: +49-220-36013432 |
|
HEALTH NCP NET Coordination Action for Reinforcing the Health National Contact Points Network |
Health |
http://www.healthncpnet.eu |
Institute of Health Carlos III, Spain GONZALES Almudena info@healthncpnet.eu |
|
BIONET A Network of National Contact Points providing cutting-edge NCP services to the Knowledge-Based-Bio-Economy research community |
Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) |
SenterNovem, The Netherlands DE KORTE |
|
|
TransCoSME Transnational Co-operation of the network of NCP SME |
Small and Medium sized Enterprises |
Zenit, Germany Tel: +49 (208) 30004-0
|
|
|
ETNA European Transport NCP Alliance |
Transport |
TÜV Rheinland Consulting GmbH, Germany DOERR David David.Doerr@de.tuv.com |
|
|
NMP TeAm Improving the services of the NMP NCP Network through Trans-national Activities |
Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies (NMP) |
HELP-FORWARD Network, Greece CONSTANTINOU Anastasia nats@help-forward.gr |
|
|
EuroRIs-Net European Research Infrastructures Network of National Contact Points |
Research Infrastructures porgramme |
EKT/NHRF, Greece FARMAKI Dora dfarma@ekt.gr |
|
|
ResPotNet Trans-national co-operation among Research Potential NCPs |
Research Potential programme |
http://www.respotnet.eu |
EKT/NHRF, Greece TZENOU Georgia tzenou@ekt.gr |
|
ENV-NCP-TOGETHER Environment NCPs cooperating to improve their effectiveness |
Environment |
Autoritatea Nationala pentru Cercetare Stiitifica, Romania VULTURESCU Viorel viorel.vulturescu@ancs.ro |
|
|
INCONTACT |
International Cooperation |
FORTH-Help Forward, Greece CHRISTOPHILOPOULOS E. |
|
|
SEREN |
Security |
CEA, France LAURENT Frederic Tel: +33-1-64502522 |
|
|
EUROSIS |
Science in Society |
info@eurosis-project.eu This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
|
|
NUCL-EU |
EURATOM |
http://www.nucleu.net |
APRE, Italy POCATERRA Chiara |
4.4- Existing EU Projects with U.S. Partners
BILAT-USA will make a study of ongoing EU-U.S. cooperation within the 7th Framework Programme.
This study will provide you an overview of the EU-U.S. cooperation within the thematic fields of FP7 as well as partner organizations from the United States. This information will be available under the following web-site soon:
http://www.euussciencetechnology.eu/bilat-usa/framework-program.html#ongoing
4.5- Enterprise Europe Network
The Enterprise Europe Network brings together business support organisations from across 45 countries. They are connected through powerful databases and know Europe inside out.
Network also organises matchmaking events across Europe where potential business partners in person can meet.
If you look for a technology provider or seeker in Europe you can get consultancy free or charge by contacting local branches from the following link:
http://www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/about/branches
4.6- us-eu match Network
the us-eu-match Platform was launched on September 2008 with the goal of supporting U.S. companies and research institutions seeking to establish strong links with their European counterparts, thereby enhancing trans-Atlantic trade and fostering the exchange of innovative ideas and technology. In another words, us-eu-match is a bridge between USA and Europe allowing to create partnerships in terms of:
- Business development
- Technology transfer
- Research activities
For more information on the services of the network please visit the web-site:
5. I am looking for information sources on the EU Framework Programme.
Information on the EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological cooperation can be found on the following web-sites:
Within the BILAT-USA Project:
http://www.euussciencetechnology.eu/bilat-usa/framework-program.html
EC Cordis web-site:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html
EC International Cooperation web-site:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/index.cfm
National Contact Points
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ncp_en.html
6. I am looking for information sources on the national programmes of U.S that are open for European researchers.
Link2US project has concluded a survey on U.S. national programmes that are open for European Researchers. The survey results can be reached via the following link:
http://www.euussciencetechnology.eu/link2us/funding-opportunities.html