© IMEC 2010
© IMEC 2010
SIMPLIFYING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMESEPP HEARING - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
BRUSSELS, 1 SEPTEMBER 2010
Ingrid ReynaertIMECManager Academic and Governmental Relations
© IMEC 2010
IMEC MISSION
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics.
We leverage our scientific knowledge with the innovative power of our global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy.
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© IMEC 2010
IMEC FIGURES▸ Revenue: 275 m€
(incl. 44 m€ grant from Flanders government)
▸ Staff: >1750 worldwide
▸ Nationalities: ~60
▸ Worldwide collaboration: >600 companies
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IMEC AND “SIMPLIFICATION”
▸ Coordinated the set-up of two position papers from the 5 Flemish universities and 4 research centres- “Challenges for Europe’s 8th Framework Programme in the European
Research Area”, a position paper of the Flemish universities and strategic research centres in Flanders (December 2009)
- Position of the Flemish Research Institutions on COM(2010) 187 “Simplifying the implementation of the Research Framework Programmes (May 2010)
▸ Involved in the preparations under the Belgian Presidency- Set-up of the BE position- Preparation of Council conclusions
▸ Involved in the working group “European collaborations” organised by the Flemish Council for Science and Innovation
▸ About100 European projects running
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PRINCIPLES OF SIMPLIFICATION
▸ Healthy balance between scientific output and administrative burden
▸ Stable rules and procedures▸ Consistency in interpretation of rules and
procedures▸ Mutual trust▸ Excellence
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© IMEC 2010
MINOR CHANGES UNDER FP7
▸ Further develop the Research Participant Portal▸ Ensure equal interpretation and application of rules and
regulations
▸ Accept the official accounts of the beneficiary
▸ Simplify the criteria for average personnel cost methodology
▸ Introduce more two-stage application procedures
▸ Remove the obligation to open interest-bearing bank accounts
▸ Consider VAT as an eligible cost item where non-deductible
▸ Improve the clarity of the guidance documents
▸ Line-up the calendar for calls
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TOWARDS FP8
▸ Develop synergies across all Commission funding programmes and instruments using common rules and procedures
▸ Maintain different funding rates, indirect cost calculation models for each type of beneficiary
▸ Introduce a multidisciplinary approach
Special attention should be given to:▸ Introduce of lump sums▸ Shift from cost-based to result-based
funding
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CURRENT DEFINITION OF LUMP SUMS
▸ Contribution in the form of lump sums (or based on reimbursement of eligible costs)
▸ Lump sums and not actual cost are considered as eligible cost
▸ No requirement of submission of financial justifications as these are “fixed”
▸ No requirement to submit certificates on financial statements
▸ Keep record of time (e.g. timesheets)
▸ Amount per cost category predefined and adopted by the Commission
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TWO OPTIONS FOR USE OF LUMP SUMS
1.Option 1: no change of rules lump sums are always optional
2. Option 2: change of rules based on actual costs of each
beneficiary according to the usual accounting practice of the beneficiary
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SHIFT TO RESULT-BASED FUNDING
▸ Open debate with stakeholders▸ A result that could not be reached is a result
in itself▸ Approach based on best effort principles▸ Make a clear link between level of risk, milestones
and payment plan in Grant Agreement▸ Funding based on “Excellence “▸ Lump sums if based on actual costs
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CAREFULL APPROACH
▸ Perform an international benchmarking exercise
▸ Look at principles of collaboration in industrial consortium
▸ Start with pilot projects▸ Use for dedicated research▸ Do not generalise it
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CONCLUSIONS ON SIMPLIFICATION
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FP7
FP8