Tag Archive for 'cordis'

A CRAFT Project for Competitive and sustainable growth

Published
by
Julie Koeltz
  on  October 4, 2005
  in  Case studies
. 0 Comments

ROVIMA SA, a French SME specialised in paint manufacture was involved, along with 7 other partners from 6 European countries overall, in a FP5 Craft Project aiming at developing a new type of paint made of enzymes based on antifouling agents. This material is used in marine coatings for ships and other offshore constructions and gives ships and offshore constructions an improved aero-dynamism while being less toxic for the environment.

This project was carried out in the framework of the specific research and technological development “Competitive and Sustainable Growth”.

This project, initiated by the industry, can be considered as very successful as the underlying concept was to gather - ex-ante ? innovative ideas coming from several European SMEs. In other words, this project was based on clustering in a view to build European partnerships.

Thanks to a strong networking effort, bringing together SMEs which worked in their specific area but on similar projects targeting niche markets application processes this project was made possible.

Concerning in particular ROVIMA’s involvement, the company has developed over the years important research activities in order to elaborate innovative products and new applications. It not only takes part in European projects but also collaborates with French universities and research laboratories of big French companies.

Countries involved in the Project: Denmark (Co-ordinator), France, Portugal, UK, Greece, Netherlands.
For more information: Cordis

Observations on Framework 6 in Hungary

Published
by
Steven Carlson
  on  January 14, 2005
  in  EU funding programmes
. 0 Comments

The goal of NETIES is to help small technology businesses (SMEs) get started with Framework 6 (FP6, and part of that mission, we’re working to identify barriers to participation.

The business people I bring together at my First Tuesday events here in Budapest are well aware of European Commission funding, but have little idea how to get started. Those who have describe a steep learning curve.

One First Tuesday attendee told me he had been approached by a Greek company to take part in an EU tender. The problem, he explained, is he doesn’t know this company and the relationship is open ended. Applying for the grant is an investment of time, but the return is unclear.

Others are baffled by the language of the European Commission, which includes calls, instruments, specific support actions, networks of excellence, and acronyms such as IST, EVA, FP6 and SME. (I found a useful FP6 glossary here.)

At my December First Tuesday event, we spent a good 45 minutes discussing step by step how FP6 works. Many people simply didn’t understand why the European Commission is offering money, and what they would be expected to deliver.

I was particularly pleased to have at my event, Dorottya Pék and her colleague Barbara from Care Consulting, who make a business of helping businesses apply for these grants. Dorottya was able to explain more of the specifics of the current calls published on Cordis.

As it turns out, there’s a whole network of people and institutions here in Hungary that provide information, training and consulting to businesses wishing to take part in FP6 and I’ll introduce some of these actors in future posts to nowEurope.

New FP6 calls for SMEs

Published
by
Vlastimil Vesely
  on  January 8, 2005
  in  EU funding programmes
. 0 Comments

In December several new calls were published at Cordis website. Let us take a closer look at some of those where our SMEs have a chance to succeed.

Totally 52 mil. EUR will be spent for Specific Targeted Research Projects (STREP) and Co-ordination Actions (CA) in the area of Citizens and Governance in a knowledge-based society. The deadline for the 2nd call proposals is 13 April 2005. Continue reading ‘New FP6 calls for SMEs’

Publication by CORDIS of profiles of the first FP6 projects in support of SMEs

Published
by
Julie Koeltz
  on  December 21, 2004
  in  EU funding programmes
. 0 Comments

Cordis published yesterday the profiles of the first FP6 projects in support and SMEs. These are listed as Integrated Projects (IPs) or Specific Targeted Research, Projects (STREPs). Collective Research projects and Economic and Technological Intelligence (ETI) actions, under the FP5, have also been extended to the FP6.

The objective of ETI actions is to use existing sources and networks in order to identify SMEs’ needs and anticipate market and technology new trends. The projects promote innovation in SMEs, compile and analyse information on scientific developments and identify and disseminate best practice. Continue reading ‘Publication by CORDIS of profiles of the first FP6 projects in support of SMEs’