ERC: Financial rules and differences NCP Academy, Horizon 2020 Legal and Finance training, 2 nd November 2015 in Copenhagen Ulrik Kjølsen Olsen DASTI, NCP Academy Partner
What is the European Research Council (ERC)? The ERC is part of Horizon 2020, the EU s framework programme for research and innovation. The aim of the ERC is to enhance top level world class research. The ERC s budget in Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) is EUR 13.1 billion (60% increase in comparison to FP7). The ERC accounts for 17% of the Horizon 2020 budget. The ERC only funds the best research and the best researchers. Therefore, specific eligibility rules now apply. 2
Why? to work on a research topic of own choice, with a team of own choice to gain true financial autonomy for 5 years to negotiate with the host institution the best conditions of work to attract top team members (EU and non-eu) and collaborators to attract additional funding and gain recognition; ERC is a quality label Note: Inspiration from ERCEA director Pablo Amor 3
Who can apply for an ERC grant? Excellent researchers (Principal Investigators) Regardless of research area, nationality, age and gender Employed at a host institution Based in an EU country or associated country Individual research team Principal investigator has the opportunity to work with a national or transnational research team ERC grants are portable If the Principal Investigator wishes to move to another host institution (university or other institution), (s)he can take the grant with him/her 4
The ERC funding schemes 5
Current calls Calls Call opening Deadline(s) Budget in million euros (estimated grants) Starting Grant 2016 29 Jul 2015 17 Nov 2015 485 (335) Consolidator Grant 2016 15 Oct 2015 2 Feb 2016 605 (335) Advanced Grant 2016 24 May 2016 1 Sep 2016 540 (235) Proof of Concept 2016 22 Oct 2015 16 Feb 2016 26 May 2016 4 Oct 2016 20 (130) 6
Key documents The ERC Work Programme 2016 The Information for Applicants (guide for applicants) relating to the specific call(s) Info for applicants to Starting and Consolidator Grant call 2016 The ERC Model Grant Agreement. 7
ERC - main differences from the rest of H2020 ERC follows the general H2020 rules for participation on eligible costs. The Principal Investigator (PI) can decide whether she/he wants to use part of the grant to cover the PI s own salary. Most ERC projects are mono-beneficiary. No consortium no consortium agreement. Starting and Consolidator Grant include an interview in Brussels as part of the evaluation process. Restrictions on resubmission apply. 8
Which activities are funded? (1) 9
Which activities are funded? (2) 10
Which activities are funded? (3) 11
The ERC proposal Part A (online form) Part B (attachments in.pdf) Annexes (attachments in.pdf) A1: General information A2: Administrative data of participating organisations A3: Budget A4: Ethics A5: Call specific questions B1: Cover page incl. summary, Extended Synopsis *, CV, trackrecord (10 pages) B2: Scientific Proposal * (15 pages) * References to litterature are not included in the 5/15 pages Host Institution Support Letter Proof of PhD Award Ethics approvals Extension documentation, e.g. birth certificate 12
The budget in Part A 13
Budget template in Part B 14
The evaluation proces Step 1 Step 2 Evaluation of Part B1 Evaluation of Part B1 and B2 + interview (StG and CoG) Selection of proposals for Step 2 A = High quality and through to Step 2 B = High quality, but not high enough for Step 2 (Consequence: Suspension the next call) C = Not of sufficient quality to qualify for Step 2 (Consequence: Suspension the next two calls) Project ranking A = Fully meets the ERC s excellence criterion funding (if sufficient funds are available) B = Meets some but not all elements of the ERC s criterion 15
Exercise You have 5 minutes to discuss the following question with your neighbour : What do you think are the 5 main differences between the ERC and the rest of Horizon 2020? Select the relevant images and pin them on the yellow card. 5 distinctive features of the ERC 16