European Collaborative Innovation

Collaborative Innovation Best Practices

Isabelle de Sutter, Systematic, Cedric Thomas, OW2

DG-CONNECT● Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content

and Technology‐ Digital Industry (Directorate A)‐ Electronic Communications Networks & Services (Directorate B)‐ Digital Excellence and Science Infrastructure (Directorate C)‐ Future Networks (Directorate E)

DC-CONNECT Directorates‐ Digital Industry (Directorate A)‐ Electronic Communications

Networks & Services (Directorate B)

‐ Digital Excellence and Science Infrastructure (Directorate C)

‐ Policy Strategy and Outreach (Directorate D)

‐ Future Networks (Directorate E)

● Cloud and Software (Unit E.2)

‐ Digital Single Market (Directorate F)

‐ Data (Directorate G)‐ Digital Society, Trust and

Cyber Security (Directorate H)‐ Media Policy (Directorate I)‐ Resources and Support

(Directorate R)

Access to Work Programmes and Calls

Funding opportunities onThe Research and Innovation Participant Portal,http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.html

Proposal Tips● Clarify and freeze core technical ideas early

‐ Choose one strategic objective and go for it‐ Face-to-face meetings during proposal time are a significant plus‐ Always consult officials (POs, NCPs)

● Timeline : It takes 6 months minimum to write a good proposal‐ 1-page summary at M-6,‐ 4-page summary at M-3-4 → Produce 3-4 page summary as early as

possible‐ Draft proposal at M-1 → Proposal at least 50 % fully written one month

before deadline● Use a collaborative platform

Partner Management● Define partner roles even you do not know them yet● Make sure all partners have a real rôle● Make sure partner investment is balanced● Do not hesitate to remove a partner if it does not jeoardize the

project● Ask for a letter of intent : a way to ensure partner commitment

‐ But no need for NDAs● Name WP leaders as early as possible

Where it can go wrong● Unclear technical ideas: Partners going in different directions● Unclear partner role and commitment: partner drop-out● Time management : last-minute proposals do not win● Make sure you write something doable and you can deliver

Useful Links● DG-CONNECT page: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/dg-connect

● Research & Innovation portal participant: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.html