HORIZON 2020 in WALES Annual Report 2015

HORIZON 2020 IN WALES Annual Report 2015

Cronfeydd yr UE: Buddsoddi yng Nghymru

EU Funds: UNDEB EWROPEAIDD Investing in Wales EUROPEAN UNION 2 Foreword

I am delighted to introduce our the significant progress made in first Annual Report of Horizon utilising these funds to help build 2020 activity in Wales. capacity among organisations to access funding from the Worth €77 billion Horizon 2020 competitive Horizon 2020 is the largest ever European programme. Excellent examples Union research and innovation of synergies between Structural programme, and to help drive Funds and Horizon 2020, as in world-class science and innovation the case of Sêr Cymru II, are and sustainable jobs and growth rightly attracting interest from in Wales, it is vital that we Europe, and we are sharing our maximise the opportunities that experiences and best practice with this programme presents. our EU partners.

It is already clear that Horizon Wales needs to build on this 2020 is more competitive than momentum and this report its predecessor Framework highlights areas where we can Programme 7 (FP7), but despite work together to improve on this Welsh organisations have our performance so far. The EU already succeeded in attracting Funding Ambassadors, whom I over €35m of investment from appointed in December 2014, Horizon 2020. Furthermore, have highlighted the importance with the UK being one of the of Welsh organisations building largest recipients of Horizon 2020 on their networks in Brussels and funding in the EU, Wales has beyond. The European Territorial increased its share of the funding Co-operation programmes, invested in UK organisations including the Ireland Wales from 2.07% to 2.46% when programme, also present compared to the predecessor FP7 opportunities for us to utilise the programme. networks and partners we have established across Europe. Meeting people and visiting organisations across Wales, Collaboration is at the heart of I have seen first-hand the Horizon 2020, and this report success achieved so far and provides an important framework the impact these funds are for how we can achieve with our making in supporting innovative partners across Wales, the UK and developments. Through EU a significant and sustainable Horizon 2020 support, TrakCel increase in the number of Welsh Ltd in Cardiff is working with organisations looking to access international partners to develop and benefit from Horizon 2020. cell therapy technology that This, in turn, will help create a could change the way cancer is vibrant knowledge economy with treated and Charles Owen & Co in significant benefits for jobs and Wrexham is working on a ground- growth across all parts of Wales. breaking project alongside EU partners to help reduce injuries and fatalities in sport. As Minister for the Structural Jane Hutt AM Funds I am also encouraged by Finance and Government Business

3 Contents

Foreword 3

Introduction 5

Performance of Welsh organisations 6 Overall performance 6 Performance by theme 7 Performance of the Higher Education sector 8 Performance of the private sector 8 Regional comparison 9 Emerging trends 9

Build a ‘stairway to excellence’ 10 Progress to date 11 Forward look 12 Helping Wales SCoRE in Horizon 2020 12

Increase the engagement and success of businesses 13 Progress to date 14 Forward look 14 Business successfully climbs stairway 14

Develop a Horizon 2020 culture and community in Wales 16 Progress to date 17 Forward look 17 Healthy links 18

Maximise the impact of existing and emerging support 19 Progress to date 20 Forward look 21 Do you have the ‘seal of excellence’? 22

Support and develop our experts and evaluators 23 Progress to date 24 Forward look 24 Evaluator masterclasses 24

Annex – How the Horizon 2020 Unit can help Welsh organisations 25 List of key services 26

4 Introduction

At €77 billion (almost £60 billion) Horizon facilitate actions that will maximise 2020 is the largest ever European the Horizon 2020 opportunities for Union (EU) research and innovation Welsh organisations. As announced at programme, aimed at securing the global the first Horizon 2020 Annual Event competitiveness of Europe. in Wales in February 2015, the Study’s The programme focuses on excellence in recommendations are being taken forward science, industrial leadership and tackling by the Welsh Government’s Horizon 2020 societal challenges. Its goal is to ensure Unit under five key objectives: Europe produces world-class science, remove barriers to innovation and make it »» Build a ‘stairway to excellence’; easier for public and private sectors across »» Increase the engagement and the EU to work together in the area of success of businesses; research and innovation. »» Develop a Horizon 2020 culture and It is clearly important that Wales takes community in Wales; advantage of the opportunities from »» Maximise the impact of existing and this programme; not only the additional emerging support; and finance, but also the opportunities to »» Support and develop our experts & work with the best across Europe, create evaluators. lasting networks and partnerships, and act together as part of a globally responsible Wales to help address shared challenges. This annual report sets out how Welsh organisations have performed so far in CM International’s Horizon 2020 accessing Horizon 2020, the progress Scoping Study1 examined how best to made on the key objectives, and a forward support Welsh organisations to access look to activities in 2016. Horizon 2020. The Study endorsed the approach that the Welsh Government’s Further details on how the Horizon 2020 Horizon 2020 Unit has taken in working Unit can help your organisation benefit closely with key stakeholders in Wales, from Horizon 2020 can be found in the the UK and Europe to co-ordinate and Annex to this report.

1 Horizon 2020 Scoping Study, CM International, May 2014 (http://gov.wales/funding/eu-funds/2014-2020/delivering-your-project/monitoring/programme-evaluations/horizon/?lang=en) 5 Performance of Welsh organisations

Overall performance

It is still early in the programme period to confirm statistical trends but, as expected, Horizon 2020 is clearly more competitive than its predecessor Framework Programme 7 (FP7). Many areas of the programme are heavily oversubscribed, including new initiatives such as the SME Instrument.

Considering the competitive nature of the programme, performance by Welsh organisations is encouraging in many areas. The formal statistics available from the European Commission (as at 29 October 2015) show that Wales has succeeded in attracting €35,107,081 from the Horizon 2020 programme2. Wales has achieved over 64 participations in over 60 projects, involving 540 collaborations across Europe (see Figure 1).

As a part of the UK, which is one of the leading countries in Horizon 2020, Wales accounts for 2.46% of the amount of funding invested in UK organisations and 2.09% of the number of UK participations. This is compared to 2.07% of the UK funding and 2.51% of the participations through FP7.

In addition to this, the Welsh Government’s Horizon 2020 Unit is aware of 12 participations which are not currently included in the formal statistics; for example, the €422,750 for TrackCel Ltd which was recently announced.

2 European Commission figures do not include funding for Welsh bases with headquarters elsewhere or funds with intermediary 6 bodies such as Risk Finance, Eurostars, ERANETS or some EIT initiatives. Figure 1 – Number of research and innovation collaborations with Welsh organisations in Horizon 2020 (as at 29 October 2015)

Performance by theme

The Excellent Science pillar of Horizon In these pillars the areas that stand out 2020 has brought in the most funding by in terms of amount of funding are ICT far to Wales, with over €10 million from (€1.4m), Societal Challenge 2 ‘Food, the European Research Council and over Agriculture, Marine and Bioeconomy’ €16 million through Marie Sklodowska- (€1.3m) and Societal Challenge 5 Curie Actions. ‘Climate/Environment/Resource Efficiency’ (€1.3m). Research Infrastructures, Health, In Wales the Industrial Leadership pillar Energy and Materials/Manufacturing accounted for €3.2 million and the approach €1m each. Wales has not yet Societal Challenges pillar €4.1 million. been successful in some themes (for 7 example, Transport, Security, Europe in a bringing in 6.1% of the UK funding with Changing World, Biotechnology, Space the help of the SIRCIW (Strengthening and Advanced Materials) but there are International Research Capacity in Wales) indications that some applications have scheme led by the Welsh Government, been selected but do not yet appear in the working in partnership with Welsh formal statistics. Higher Education. Welsh activity under the European Research Council is strong, Wales’ strengths in comparison with the having been rewarded with 3% of the UK are a moving picture, in part due to UK funding for this theme. While Welsh the early stage of the programme which performance in Societal Challenge can exaggerate the effect of individual 2 ‘Food, Agriculture, Marine and bids; for example, Science with and for Bioeconomy’, although positive at 3% of Society has had two successful Welsh bids, the UK funding, is currently lower than its accounting for 17.6% of the UK figure for equivalent theme in FP7 which attracted this theme. Wales has also performed well over 5% of the UK funding to Wales by in Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, the end of that programme.

Performance of the Higher Education sector

The Higher Education sector remains key In the UK, Universities are responsible for to Wales’ overall performance in Horizon 58% of the participations and 63% of the 2020. Welsh Universities are responsible funding so far in Horizon 2020. for 69% of the participations and 59% of the funding in Wales, although this is The Horizon 2020 application success lower than the final position in FP7 when rate among Welsh Higher Education is the sector represented 70% of the Welsh currently at 10%, while the UK Higher participations and 81% of the funding. Education success rate is 14%.

Performance of the private sector

The formal statistics show that there have Twelve of the 15 Welsh participations been 15 private sector participations worth are by SMEs, worth €3.5m. These figures €3.7m. This means the private sector exclude two successes in the highly accounts for 23% of participations and competitive SME Instrument (both Phase 11% of funding in Wales which is similar 1 bids). At 19% the percentage of SME to FP7 performance. The UK has a similar participations in Wales is the same as FP7. level of private sector participations (26%), The success rate of Welsh SMEs is 15%, but the funding level is higher at 21%. noticeably higher than the overall EU SME success rate of 12%. The private sector success rate in Wales is 13%, which is the same as the private sector success rate for all countries in the EU.

8 Regional comparison

Regional comparisons are difficult example Horizon 2020 funding per to make due to limited data being person, Wales appears to be: performing available, particularly at this stage of the better than several EU regions (e.g. Galicia programme, and the structural differences in Spain); similar to others (e.g. Northern between regional research and innovation Ireland); and behind some (e.g. the Basque ecosystems. For some indicators, for Country).

Emerging trends

While it is somewhat early in the »» The greater focus on impact and programme period to confirm statistical innovation in Horizon 2020 may be trends, there are some points worth proving to be a challenge for the HE highlighting: sector, given current success rates and funding percentage shares. »» The Horizon 2020 Scoping Study »» Despite some success among the proposed a target of increasing private sector, the share of funding the Welsh share of the UK’s total shows that there is potential for funding figure by 0.70% (to 2.8%) greater success. by the end of the programme. It is encouraging that there has been an »» It would appear that to build on this increase of 0.39% (to 2.46%) and early momentum we will need to although there may be fluctuations increase the number and frequency in future years it is perhaps an of applications from Welsh indicator of an upward trend. organisations and ensure that the success rate of those applications »» Several indicators demonstrate that increases where possible. Wales has managed to maintain its FP7 performance in many areas, The remaining sections of this report despite the greater competitiveness set out how we are already addressing of Horizon 2020. these issues and building on the success achieved so far.

9 Build a ‘stairway to excellence’

The increased emphasis on synergies between EU funding streams and the greater opportunites for innovation available through Horizon 2020 have given Wales the opportunity to make significant changes in its research and innovation capacity. Figure 2 shows how the European Structural & Investment Funds (ESIF) and other investments are being aligned along a ‘stairway to excellence’, so whether you are a Welsh business exploring a potential innovation for the first time or an excellent research group looking to build an international collaboration there is support available. It also illustrates our ambition to support more organisations ‘up the stairway’; some organisations/individuals may not be ready to access Horizon 2020 at a particular stage in their development but the activity supported by the ‘stairway’ (and the other key objectives) will encourage them to consider it in the medium term and support them when they are ready.

10 Figure 2 – The Welsh ‘stairway to excellence’

Key Key stages in the 'Stairway to Excellence' Suppor5ng ac5vity Other poten5al investment from European Structural & Investment Funds (ESIF)

Interna=onal collabora=ve Research... Collabora=ve research... SCoRE Cymru Our ambi=on Networks Knowledge exchange... Centres of excellence Investment in R&D... SMART Exper5se Targeted support from academia Exploring new ideas... SMART Cymru Wales Business Fund SMART Innova5on .

European Territorial Coopera5on European Social Fund European Territorial Coopera5on

Rural Development Programme Rural Development Programme

Mari5me and Fisheries Fund Mari5me and Fisheries Fund

Progress to date

Locating the Horizon 2020 Unit in the Government’s Sêr Cymru banner. It is an Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) excellent example of synergies between has helped to ensure that Horizon 2020 is EU funding streams and is attracting considered at all relevant ESIF discussions. significant attention from the EU This is reflected in the progress to date Institutions and other European countries. with support now available for all ‘steps’ on the ‘stairway to excellence’. Furthermore, by investing £69m ERDF in the Welsh Government’s £135m European Regional Development Fund SMART schemes (SMART Innovation, (ERDF) investments in centres of excellence SMART Cymru and SMART Expertise) we include £20m for the £35m Aberystwyth have supported an integrated suite of Innovation and Enterprise Campus; £4.5m interventions that will drive the innovative for the £44m Cardiff University Brain behaviour needed in Wales and hence Research Imaging Centre; and £7.5m for nurture the confidence needed to access TWI Ltd’s £12.9m Advanced Engineering funding such as Horizon 2020. This is Materials Research Institute. explored further in the next section of the This new research capacity is expected to report. bring in around £60m research income from competitive sources such as Horizon There have also been complementary 2020. investments from the European Social Fund (ESF); for example the £1.5m A significant success for Wales has Materials and Manufacturing Education been securing £7m (€9m) from Horizon Training and Learning (METaL 2) scheme, 2020’s COFUND for researcher mobility led by Swansea University, which will which was the largest award in 2015. help more than 360 employees achieve This alongside £23m ERDF will support a qualifications in the field of advanced step change in the number of excellent materials and manufacturing. researchers in Wales under the Welsh 11 Forward look

Further Structural Funds investments are The European Territorial Co-operation expected in 2016, including centres of (ETC) Programmes, including the Ireland excellence in the Grand Challenge areas Wales Co-operation Programme, also of Low carbon, energy & environment, align to the ‘stairway to excellence’; Advanced engineering & materials and ICT for example, through their support & digital economy. of collaborative activity between organisations in different Member States. There is also good potential for synergies Discussions are well underway about the with the innovation activity supported potential around marine energy given the through the European Agricultural Fund strong links with the aims of the ERDF for Rural Development (EAFRD) and programmes and Horizon 2020. European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) with some interesting proposals All of these investments will either directly emerging in the food and marine or indirectly contribute to an increase in resources areas.The Welsh Government the number and quality of Horizon 2020 is engaged in the European Innovation bids from Welsh organisations. Naturally Partnership (EIP) for Agricultural it will take time for new activities to Productivity and Sustainability which bed down and deliver but alongside the should also help increase Wales’ influence activity supported under the other key over the nature of relevant calls under objectives we expect these investments to Horizon 2020. lead to a sustainable step change in Welsh performance in accessing Horizon 2020 in the medium to long term.

Helping Wales SCoRE in Horizon 2020

As part of the ‘stairway to excellence’, Since the scheme’s inception in May SCoRE Cymru (Supporting Collaborative 2013 over 130 applications have Research and innovation in Europe) been approved resulting in a funding provides grants to stimulate participation commitment of over £210,000 to more by Welsh organisations in European than 50 organisations. Over 75% of this collaborative research and innovation funding has been awarded to SMEs. This programmes, particularly Horizon has already contributed to the award of 2020. Funding can cover travel and €693,000 Horizon 2020 funding to Welsh accommodation costs involved in organisations. identifying and building consortia (up to £1,000) and the cost of subcontracted expertise for developing funding proposals (up to £10,000).

12 Increase the engagement and success of businesses

The Horizon 2020 Scoping Study identified the need for additional support for Welsh businesses to access the opportunities in Horizon 2020. This recognised their relatively low engagement in FP7, the emerging evidence that Horizon 2020 would support more innovation and closer to market activity, and that many businesses, especially SMEs, have limited resources to dedicate to seeking funding that is so competitive.

It was clear that any Horizon 2020 support should be integrated into the wider innovation offer, ensuring that businesses receive the right support for their stage of development (the ‘stairway to excellence’ principle). It was also understood that ESIF funding would be key to supporting this additonal activity. Finally, it was recognised that this support must add value to the existing and emerging support available in Wales, the UK and Europe; the UK support structure in particular was evolving significantly from its FP7 model.

13 Progress to date

The Welsh Government’s ERDF funded from the UK’s National Contact Points, SMART schemes (SMART Innovation, Knowledge Transfer Networks and SMART Cymru and SMART Expertise) Enterprise Europe Network. For example, provide an integrated suite of WEFO’s Horizon 2020 Unit facilitates interventions that will drive the innovative a regular meeting with the Welsh behaviour needed in Wales and hence Government’s Innovation team and nurture the confidence needed to access Enterprise Europe Network Wales to share funding such as Horizon 2020. This knowledge of innovative Welsh businesses includes one-to-one support through and identify the best route for their Innovation Specialists and, where required, support. procured support for Welsh businesses considering Horizon 2020. There is also The Horizon 2020 Unit also engages support for industrially-led collaborations regularly with other relevant support to with Welsh Higher Education and Further businesses such as the Life Sciences Hub Education institutions, which will create a and Innovation Point – this is explored pipeline of activity that is expected to lead further under the key objective, ‘Maximise to bids for Horizon 2020 funding. the impact of existing and emerging support’. We are also ensuring that this activity complements the support available

Forward look

With the additonal support now in place, take time to show in the number of bids and the activity under the other key submitted and the success of those bids, objectives, there should be a significant but this will be closely monitored and increase in the engagement of businesses further support considered if appropriate. in Horizon 2020 during 2016. This may

Business successfully climbs stairway

Over the last 10 years the Welsh On the basis of this previous activity and Government’s Innovation team has the investment in state-of-the-art testing provided technical advice and financial equipment, Charles Owen & Co(Bow) support to Charles Owen & Co(Bow) Ltd, Ltd has now been awarded €273,287 based in Wrexham, to help facilitate new for its part in the collaborative Horizon product development and investment 2020 project HEADS (Head projection: a in new technologies to deliver improved European network for Advanced Designs manufacturing processes. in Safety).

In 2014, the Welsh Government The scientific goal of HEADS is to improve contributed £25K towards the purchase of the understanding of head impact injury state-of-the-art testing equipment which and to design new helmet standard is being utilised in a number of research test methods. This will lead to improved capacity building and new product helmets (e.g. for skiing, equestrian, motor development projects. cycling) and a reduction in the severity 14 of injuries and the numbers of fatalities. impact biomechanics and helmet design This objective will be achieved through a technologies, as well as being aware of combination of computational simulations commercial market opportunities. of real-life accidents, experimental and The full project is worth €3,387,265 and computational investigation of injury includes six partners – three industry thresholds, and design of new helmet and three academic – across five EU certification tests. countries. This should lead to a number of commercial leads for the Welsh company. Another major objective of the project is to train a group of highly specialised doctoral graduates who understand head

15 Develop a Horizon 2020 culture and community in Wales

In simple terms this key objective is about targeted events, training and communication activity but its aim is much wider than this and cuts across the other key objectives. To deliver a step change in Welsh performance in Horizon 2020 there is a need to encourage and support a culture change. Welsh organisations need to understand the long-term strategic benefits of engaging with such funds despite the challenges they may face. Collaboration is at the heart of Horizon 2020 and, although Welsh organisations may find themselves competing for the same funding at times, it is clear that developing a community approach to pooling limited resources (e.g. for funding events and training), sharing knowledge and best practice, and working towards shared objectives will increase the success of all Welsh organisations. Furthermore, it is also important to recognise that this community will extend, where appropriate, beyond Wales to include UK stakeholders and the Brussels community.

There is also a balance to be struck between raising awareness widely in order to encourage new participants in Horizon 2020 (albeit with clear messages about the challenge involved in accessing this competitive funding) and targetting activity at existing clusters of activity. The performance of Welsh organisations so far suggests that we need to do both.

16 Progress to date

Following the formal launch of Horizon linked events in Wales and Brussels 2020 in Wales in December 2013, the wherever appropriate, for example the Welsh Government’s Horizon 2020 Welsh and Brussels launches of Sêr Unit hosted Wales’ first Horizon 2020 Cymru II. Annual Event in February 2015 involving stakeholders from across Wales, the UK Where a need has been identified the and Europe. With the theme of, “Building Horizon 2020 Unit has also worked a stairway to excellence in Wales – with stakeholders to develop specific maximising the impact of EU funding for training events. For example, the Unit research and innovation”, the event not supported an innovative ‘summer school’ only set the scene in terms of the strategic for potential bids for Marie Skłodowska approach to research and innovation Curie Individual Fellowships, led by Bangor in Wales, but also the practical support University in partnership with Aberystwyth available for Welsh organisations to access University; this resulted in seven proposals Horizon 2020. being submitted to Horizon 2020.

The Horizon 2020 Unit also worked closely Key information on Horizon 2020 calls or with stakeholders in Wales and the UK events has also been identified and passed to develop and co-ordinate a series of on through informal networks and/or targeted events and workshops, including WEFO’s web pages. workshops at flagship events such as Digital 2015 and Venturefest 2015. Horizon 2020 success stories which have Specialist topics for such events included been publicised have included Microsemi opportunities for the creative sector, ICT, Corporation (awarded around £320,000) the space industry and around Industry and Swansea University’s MARIBE project 4.0. The Unit also looked to encourage (awarded around £170,000).

Forward look

The second Horizon 2020 Annual Event to improve the success rates of bids from will take place on 17 March 2016 in Welsh organisations. Cardiff. The event will highlight some of Wales’ early successes in Horizon More Welsh success stories are now 2020, whilst also providing a unique emerging from the programme and the opportunity to explore the strategies for Horizon 2020 Unit is working with the success with an expert panel. There will beneficiaries to develop case studies; these also be detailed workshops on Advanced will be made widely available. There will Materials and Manufacturing (jointly also continue to be a focus on promoting organised with Welsh Higher Education the expertise of Wales in Brussels and Brussels), the Eurostars Programme (jointly beyond through events and other organised with the Enterprise Europe communication channels. Network Wales), and Cybersecurity (jointly organised with Innovation Point and the The Horizon 2020 Unit is also looking to Cybersecurity Cluster in Wales). produce a short ‘opt-in’ e-bulletin that will highlight key information for the Horizon In terms of training, there will be an 2020 community in Wales. increased focus on ‘masterclass’ training

17 Healthy links

The Horizon 2020 Unit has worked closely time and may not always involve a Welsh with the Department for Health and Social University or business; it can therefore Services during 2015 on their ambitions struggle to justify support from SCoRE for attracting more EU funding including Cymru with its expectation of a clear link Horizon 2020. One outcome of this to a potential bid for EU research and cross-department working has been the innovation funding. The protocol helps agreement of a protocol for joint funding to identify the type of engagement that of engagement activity in Europe. Health SCoRE Cymru can support and any parallel Boards and other stakeholders in the or preceding activity that could attract health sector need to engage with other support directly from the Department regions to build consortiums for future for Health and Social Services. This joint bids for EU funds such as Horizon 2020. funding approach is helping to support Given the nature of the health sector a new culture of innovation in the health this engagement can have a long lead in sector in Wales.

18 Maximise the impact of existing and emerging support

This key objective recognises that there is a significant amount of skills, experience and expertise already available at the Welsh, UK and EU levels and it is a key aim of the Horizon 2020 Unit to engage and focus these resources for the benefit of Welsh organisations (Figure 4 in the Annex illustrates this principle). This is an efficient way of providing much of the support needed by Welsh organisations, will avoid duplication and will help create a vibrant Horizon 2020 community in Wales.

It is also recognised that the support structure will continue to change; the UK support system has evolved significantly since FP7 and the investments made with ESIF as part of the ‘stairway to excellence’ will lead to more sources of support coming on stream in the next few years. It is important that emerging sources of support complement existing activities and help deliver a consistent service to Welsh organisations.

The important role of Wales House in Brussels is recognised here as well.

19 Progress to date

The Welsh Government’s Horizon 2020 advice for their target group which should Unit has engaged closely with stakeholders directly address the success rates of bids throughout 2015 including Welsh from those areas. Government Departments, the higher There was also a focus on promoting education sector, Innovate UK and the the expertise of Wales in Brussels both Enterprise Europe Network to co-ordinate through co-ordinating events and by and target support for Welsh organisations building and encouraging links with the and share knowledge and best practice. right networks (for example the Vanguard This has included being an active member Initiative and the European Regions of the UK Government’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Network, ERRIN) network. and regions (for example Catalonia); the There has also been a positive trend partnership approach shown by Welsh of thematic/sectoral groups becoming stakeholders in Wales House has been key increasingly interested and active in to this. Horizon 2020. This includes the life The EU Funding Ambassadors have also sciences and health sector through been very active in engaging with and the work of the Life Sciences Hub and influencing key public, private and third Department for Health and Social Services, sector stakeholders, and officials from the Welsh Higher Education Brussels the European Commission. Based on the thematic groups, the food sector, the results of this engagement, an interim space sector and the ICT sector including report was published in December 20153 the emerging role of Innovation Point. which outlined some of their initial The Horizon 2020 Unit has looked to conclusions and recommendations for the work closely with these nodes of activity Welsh Government. as they can deliver specialist support and

Forward look

A significant increase in activity is expected Network for Welsh organisations seeking during 2016 as the additional research and support on Horizon 2020. The figure also innovation capacity supported through illustrates how this network sits within the ESIF helps to develop the key partnerships wider Horizon 2020 community and the and collaborations needed to access research and innovation ecosystem as a funding; the location of the Horizon 2020 whole; it must however be stressed that Unit in WEFO ensures that it will be aware this is a model of delivery rather than a of these developments. Support will be fixed schematic of relationships. targeted around this emerging capacity as well as existing capacity such as the The Horizon 2020 Unit will facilitate National Research Networks. the Welsh Contact Point Network and will welcome any actor/organisation Work will also continue on ensuring that wants to commit to being part of that there is ‘no wrong door’ for Welsh the network. Members of the network organisations seeking support, in will be expected to work proactively particular, businesses. Figure 3 illustrates with the other members on providing how existing relationships will be a joined-up and consistent service to developed into a Welsh Contact Point Welsh organisations considering Horizon

3 Europe Matters to Wales: EU Policy and Funding Opportunities for Wales 2014-2020, Interim Report and Recommendations to the 20 Minister for Finance and Government Business http://gov.wales/funding/eu-funds/eu-programmes/?lang=en 2020. There will also be expectations ecosystem are clearly very important around sharing information and working but it is recognised that they may not towards shared objectives such as raising be involved in the day to day support of the overall level of Horizon 2020 funding Welsh organisations to the same extent. coming into Wales. This model of delivery is of course fluid and actors and networks will vary over There will also be a close relationship time and sometimes on a case by case between the Welsh Contact Point Network basis, but we believe that this approach and organisations in the wider Horizon will help ensure that wherever a Welsh 2020 community; this community might organisation starts, it will find the right include actors/organisations that can’t organisation or organisations to support it, fully commit to the Welsh Contact Point and quickly. Network, are already represented in some way by parts of their organisation or The Horizon 2020 Unit will also work have a UK or European remit. Figure 3 with its partners to embrace any further indicates that the interaction may be less messages emanating from the EU Funding intensive with these actors but there is Ambassadors final report including the still a level of expectation of involvement need to further engage with the private in the Welsh support system. Finally, the sector and to build constructive consortia network and the community sit within and partnerships, to learn lessons from the context of the wider research and other regions and to actively engage in innovation ecosystem. Actors in the wider Brussels.

Figure 3 – Relationship between key Horizon 2020 actors from a Welsh perspective

21 Do you have the ‘seal of excellence’?

The European Commission has introduced Businesses that have just fallen short of a Seal of Excellence initiative where the evaluation threshold for the SME Horizon 2020 proposals which succeeded Instrument should also contact the in passing the evaluation threshold but Horizon 2020 Unit. Again, the options could not be funded under the available available to them will be explored. budget are awarded a quality label. This ‘Seal’ identifies project proposals which Collaborative bids by their nature can be may merit funding from alternative more complex; ESIF funding requires a sources. regional focus and therefore the original Horizon 2020 bid may need to be The Welsh Government supports the unpicked to develop a ‘Welsh’ proposal principle of this approach and already has that can attract funding. However, any mechanisms in place to provide support in future ‘seal of excellence’ for collaborative these circumstances. Indeed our approach bids or simply a bid that has fallen just goes further and will look to support short of the evaluation threshold will organisations with proposals that have just still be considered a strong indicator for fallen short of the evaluation threshold as targeted support; organisations should they are clearly the type of organisations contact the Horizon 2020 Unit in those that we should look to target. circumstances. For businesses, in many cases support will be available from the Welsh organisations with a ‘seal SMART schemes to further explore their of excellence’ from the European options. For all organisations, SCoRE Commission should contact the Welsh Cymru support may be an option to Government’s Horizon 2020 Unit in the improve and resubmit their bid. first instance to discuss their options. The Horizon 2020 Unit is also well placed to advise organisations on the likelihood of If a business has a ‘seal of excellence’ from accessing ESIF directly for their proposal, the SME Instrument process then support but it needs to be recognised that ESIF has could be available from the SMART its own requirements and direct support schemes which are of course supported from ESIF is unlikely to be the best route in by ESIF. Where appropriate the Welsh most cases. Government Innovation team will work with the business to see if their proposal This approach has already supported can be taken forward under the SMART Welsh businesses. Two businesses were schemes as well as exploring other options identified, through the Welsh Contact for supporting the business. There is also Point Network described above, as having the option of applying for SCoRE Cymru just fallen short of the Horizon 2020 funding to improve and resubmit a bid to evaluation threshold. One has gone on to Horizon 2020 and the Horizon 2020 Unit receive support from the SMART schemes will advise on that. and another is planning to resubmit its bid following further support from SCoRE Cymru.

22 Support and develop our experts and evaluators

The Horizon 2020 Scoping Study identified the need to promote and support Welsh experts and evaluators involved in the Horizon 2020 process. By supporting them we can ensure that Wales maximises its influence over the implementation of Horizon 2020 ‘in the corridors of Brussels’ and in turn we can use their knowledge to support the Horizon 2020 community in Wales. It is also important to work with stakeholders to increase the number of Welsh experts and evaluators as this will clearly increase the positive impact they have.

This key objective aims to take this activity forward by developing a ‘community of practice’ of Welsh Horizon 2020 experts and evaluators. This will provide a vehicle to identify ways of supporting the individuals concerned and share knowledge.

23 Progress to date

An informal group has met twice, with the stakeholders of the benefits of increasing discussions demonstrating the potential the number of Welsh experts and value of this activity. Further progress evaluators. There are also clear indications was limited by resources but this has that there has been a significant increase now been addressed and a meeting of in the number of experts from Wales the ‘community of practice’ took place in chosen to evaluate proposals in Horizon February 2016. 2020 compared to FP7.

In the meantime, the Horizon 2020 Unit has continued to raise awareness among

Forward look

Reflecting the strong focus on promoting tips’ guidance for Welsh organisations the expertise of Wales in Brussels there will developing bids and analysis of the be a series of meetings of the community benefits of having experts/evaluators for of practice during 2016. Potential their host organisation and Wales. outcomes could include identifying possible support mechanisms for the Stakeholders are encouraged to put individuals concerned, producing ‘top forward individuals for the group.

Evaluator masterclasses

One example of the benefits of this activity specific knowledge of the thematic area is the involvement of evaluators in the will advise on how to improve the quality planned workshop on Advanced Materials of bids through a focussed workshop and Manufacturing (jointly organised environment. If successful, this model with Welsh Higher Education Brussels) could be rolled out to other thematic areas at the Horizon 2020 Annual Event in where there is interest. March 2016. Welsh evaluators with

24 Annex – How the Horizon 2020 Unit can help Welsh organisations

The Welsh Government’s Horizon 2020 Unit is available to support all Welsh organisations applying or considering applying for research and innovation funding from the EU. We work closely with partners at the Welsh, UK and EU level to co-ordinate and facilitate the wide range of support and advice available for the benefit of Welsh organisations – see figure 4 for an illustration of this approach. We also look to influence relevant activities in Wales and Brussels through awareness raising, engagement, and the targeted investment of Structural Funds.

25 Figure 4 – The Horizon 2020 Unit’s cohesive approach to supporting Welsh organisations

List of key services

»» Provision of general advice and »» Contact point for Welsh guidance on Horizon 2020. organisations with a ‘Seal of »» Intelligent signposting to the Excellence’ from the European right specialist support for your Commission (or a high evaluation organisation. score). »» Financial support for travel or »» Development and support of expertise costs related to developing targeted events/workshops. Horizon 2020 bids (SCoRE Cymru). »» Development and support of »» Provision of specialist advice on how Horizon 2020 training. the Structural Funds can support »» Development and promotion of case research and innovation in Wales, studies. including synergies with Horizon »» Strategic lead on Horizon 2020 for 2020. the Welsh Government. »» Access to/communication with the »» Regional contact for the UK Welsh Contact Point Network and Government’s Horizon 2020 the wider Horizon 2020 community. Network.

For more details:

email: [email protected] call: 0845 010 3355 visit: www.gov.wales/eu-funding