EUCAR has published a new position paper on the implementation of Horizon 2020, taking into account the now fully defined framework and the view, experience and perceptions during preparation so far of Horizon 2020 projects
11th March 2014 – EUCAR has published a new position paper on the implementation of Horizon 2020, taking into account the now fully defined framework and the view, experience and perceptions during preparation so far of Horizon 2020 projects.The following is a summary of the content of the paper:
EUCAR and its members consider the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation to be an excellent opportunity for collaborative research activities, in particular in the industrial domain, and appreciate the commitment of the European Commission in bringing it to fruition. In order to foster the optimum effectiveness of the programme in this domain, EUCAR makes the following recommendations on the implementation of Horizon 2020, based on the opinions and experience of our members:
- For industrial research and innovation themes, including automotive and road transport, formulate calls for proposals with more explicit guidance for the scope and size of projects, reflecting the priorities of industry and stakeholders, thereby also enhancing opportunities for SMEs and new entrants. It is also recommended to introduce the single-stage evaluation procedure for such calls, reflecting the practice in the contractual PPPs.
- From 2015 eliminate the long delay in the deadline of the single-stage evaluation procedure and avoid its coincidence with the main holiday period.
- Ensure a consistent and correct application of average personnel costs in Horizon 2020 projects, in particular without systematic recourse to individual costs in project audits.
- Expand the Fast-Track to Innovation scheme, ensure its industrial focus and accessibility for all industrial beneficiary types and introduce a finer thematic focus, enabling a critical mass in key areas of industrial research and innovation. Additionally, consider methods to focus the scheme more effectively by, for example, supporting pilot or follow-on projects.