Setting-up CERIC-ERIC:Lessons Learnt

Geneve, July 15th 2014 Carlo RizzutoESS ERIC High Level Advisory Meeting President

Elettra – Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A.

Scope and Field of activity

CERIC – ERIC aims at:

• integrate resources in the Analysis and Synthesis of

Materials and Biomaterials at nano-level

• give “free open access” to international users

• induce continuous improvement of instruments,

education, development of technologies.

• support a faster alignment of East and West EU

Countries in advanced R&D.

-- Nine Countries: (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia), open to other interested countries (6 founders).

-- Each one contributes “in kind”, by/through a “Partner Facility” accepted through international evaluation

-- and will contribute “in kind” to operation by access time and appropriate upgrades, according to agreed programs

-- only in special circumstances there may be money contributions, but it is expected that there will be “cross-border” “in kind” contributions

-- costs of central seat borne by hosting Country

Membership & Understanding

INCENTIVES

The aspects which most convinced the Members (Governments) to enter were (besides the Science aspects):

--- Drive towards continuous improvement of their own existing and future investments, people, returns, by open access

--- Costs advantages, by tax exemptions also on the “in kind contributions”

……This last aspect was critical and took time to be developed in discussion with TAXUD.

Amendments to StatuteBy the EC

• one Representing Entity per Member

• tax exemptions apply only for purchases made by CERIC-ERIC or by its Members (for the official and exclusive use of CERIC-ERIC)

•.......Not in Statute but no objection that a Member hands over to ONE representing entity the possibility/delegate power to apply tax exemption, but………..be careful!!!! And have ironclad process

• therefore new statutory body: IAEC for the verification/certification of compliance for in-kind contributions.

Relevant parts of Statute

- Art. 2 Definition and role of Representing Entities and Partner Facilities- Art. 5 Objectives, Tasks and Activities- Art. 6 (1)(a) Resources: [Resources made available to CERIC-ERIC shall consist of: (a)] «contributions in-kind by the Members or Representing Entities for ordinary activities of CERIC-ERIC»;- Art. 7 (5) agreement on limits and conditions for the exercise of the tax exemptions

- Policies (basic principles): Art. 8 Users’ Access; Art. 18 Human resources; Art. 19 IPRs, Data; Art. 20 Technology Transfer and relation with Industry; Art. 21 Procurement Policies; Art. 22 Communication and Dissemination

GovernanceStatutory Organs

- General Assembly (Art. 11 and 12): two delegates for each Member; one Member = one indivisible vote; full decision-making power

- Executive Director (Art. 13): executive body and legal representative

- Board of Directors of Partner Facilities (Art. 14): advisory body (consultation by ED); oversees the coordination of the implementation of strategies approved by GA; shall maintain coherence and consistency across CERIC-ERIC and collaboration between the Members

- International Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC) (Art. 15): advice on strategic issues and scientific and technical activities

- International Audit Expert Committee (IAEC) (Art. 16): verification/certification of compliance for in-kind contributions

Implementing process2011.02.15 First CERIC WG meeting

2011.06.28Memorandum of Understanding: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia

2012.06.01ERIC step1: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia

2012.08.31Joint Declaration: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia

2012.12.21 ERIC step2: Italy (statutory seat), Austria, Czech Republic, Slovenia

2013.01.23 Reply from the EC: TAXUD objections (Statute Art. 7.5)

2013.07.15 Statute amended, sent to EC

2013.07.25 Request for further clarification from EC

2013.08.07 Italian Ministry reply to EC: 6.5 M€ for the start-up of CERIC

2014 January 1st CERIC Fellowship programme

2014 January Users’ Call Zero

2014 April Statute amended to comply with TAXUD objections

2014.06.24 EC implementing decision setting-up CERIC-ERIC

2014.07.22 First CERIC-ERIC General Assembly

Thanks!

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