Multilateral Cooperation
NCBR participates in the organization of calls for proposals for international research or R&D projects and finances Polish entities implementing international projects by participating in multilateral initiatives.
EU Framework Programme initiatives (FP 6 and FP 7)
Based on the implementation of the Community goal of creating the European Research Area (ERA), the formula of ERA-NET / ERA-NET + group programmes assumes combining the financial and scientific potential of Member States to increase the competitiveness of the European economy. The participants of these projects are institutions implementing research-funding programs in individual European countries, e.g. ministries, research-funding agencies or science councils. The role of NCBR is to establish cooperation and participate in ERA-NET projects, under which takes place the organisation of international competitions for research and R&D projects financed from national funds. Most of the programmes in question have currently been completed.
Horizon 2020 initiatives
Era-Net CO-FUND
Era-Net CO-FUND is a programme formula under Horizon 2020. The main activity under ERA-NET Cofund is the announcement of an international call for proposals co-financed by the European Commission. In addition, under ERA-NET Cofund, Member States may undertake other joint activities, such as organising international calls for research projects without the support of the European Commission.
European Joint Programs (EJP)
Horizon 2020 Joint European Programmes (EJP Cofund) are actions aimed at supporting coordinated national research and innovation programmes. The main idea is to attract and pool a critical mass of national resources on the goals and challenges of Horizon 2020. EJP Cofund enables the implementation of a joint programme of activities, ranging from research and innovation projects, through training, to coordination and networking. It supports direct activities of consortia and/or (single or multiple) calls for proposals for financial support to third parties.
Joint Programming Initiatives ( JPI)
The purpose of Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) is cooperation between Member States in the field of R&D, which consists in undertaking joint activities, including research, in areas of key importance for Europe. The subject matter and scope of a given initiative are defined in a document called Strategic Research Agenda - SRA. As part of the initiatives, joint calls for proposals are announced in which projects are financed with funds contributed by the participating countries.
Joint Undertakings (JUs)
A Joint Undertaking (JU) is a public-private partnership between the European Commission, Member States and an industry association. NCBR represents Poland as an executive agency and co-finances the participation of Polish entities in projects selected in calls for proposals organised by JU or - in the case of Joint Programmes - an organisation established for this purpose (e.g. an association).
AAL
Active and Assisted Living Program (AAL) is an R&D programme supporting projects that apply information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve the quality of life of the elderly. The main objective of AAL is to support the creation of ICT-based innovative products, services and systems to ensure the comfortable functioning of older people. This is to be done by: extending the period in which they can live in better conditions by increasing their independence, self-confidence and mobility, helping maintain good health and independent functioning, promoting a better and healthier lifestyle, helping carers, families and care organisations, stimulating the efficiency and productivity of resources used in ageing communities.
BONUS
Co-financed by the European Union and national research funding organizations (50/50 proportion), BONUS-185 international programme is a continuation and development of previous activities on environmental challenges, marine ecosystem protection, fisheries, tourism, transport, spatial planning and management of Baltic Sea resources. The participants of the programme are all of the countries that border the Baltic Sea.
EUROSTARS-2
EUROSTARS-2 is a continuation and successor of EUROSTARS programme, i.e. a joint programme of EUREKA Initiative and the European Union, implemented on the basis of Art. 185 of the European Treaty, which aims to support projects carried out by research-conducting SMEs. The factor that distinguishes EUROSTARS from other programmes is the necessity to implement project results within 2 years after its completion. EUROSTARS-2 programme is implemented in the years 2014-2020.
Teaming for Excellence
Teaming is one of Horizon 2020 instruments which aims to create new (or significantly upgraded existing ones) centres of excellence (CoE) through partnerships of national research units with foreign partners.
Horizon Europe Partnerships
One of the instruments of Horizon Europe will be partnerships of European countries and the European Commission, which, through joint funding of research and innovation in key areas for the European Union, are to contribute to a joint effort to meet global challenges. Horizon Europe introduces a coherent, strategic and results-oriented approach to European partnerships. They are expected to make a significant contribution to the achievement of EU priorities and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. Partnerships are created on the basis of Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIA) in order to achieve synergy with other EU and Member State programmes.
Instead of existing programmes that operated under Horizon 2020 and previous EU Framework Programmes, the following three types of partnerships will be created:
Co-Programmed European Partnerships
Public-private partnerships between the European Commission and associations representing stakeholders in specific fields and operating on the basis of an agreement. The parties to the partnership are most often the European Commission and industry associations (in a given field), associating stakeholders (both private and public entities). Research agendas of such Partnerships are implemented through topics included in the Work Programmes within individual clusters.
Co-funded European Partnerships
Public-public partnerships between the European Commission and a research funding agency in a given Member State or (most often) associated country, operating under a grant/subsidy agreement between the European Commission and a consortium of partners bringing together national and regional funding programmes on a given topic. The parties to the partnership are the European Commission and entities from individual Member States or associated countries co-financing beneficiaries from their respective countries. Research agendas implemented through calls for proposals organised by international consortia implementing grants from the European Commission intended for this purpose. Calls are announced by partners from the consortium - these are joint international calls for the execution of R & D & I works. Joint programmes must define objectives,
key impact indicators and outputs to be achieved, based on the financial commitment of the partners.
Institutionalised European Partnerships
There are two types of Institutional Partnerships, also known as Joint Undertakings (JUs):
- public-private (PP: EC – private entities)
- public-public-private (PPP: EC – MS/AC – private entities).
Such partnerships are based on a decision of the Council and the European Parliament, pursuant to Art. 185 or 187 TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union). These partnerships also include EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, in line with the EIT Regulation and the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA). Institutional European partnerships are built in the strategic areas of research and innovation. Most often they include public-private research and innovation programmes undertaken by several or more than a dozen Member States. Institutionalised Partnerships require financial involvement: PPP – MS / AC co-finance calls for proposals organised by JUs; PP – private entities co-finance calls organised by JUs.
The role of NCBR will be to coordinate Poland's participation in partnerships, including, in particular, international calls for proposals for research projects and financing of Polish entities applying for funds under these calls.
Other multilateral initiatives
CORNET
CORNET (COllective Research NETworking) initiative is an industry research support programme that takes particular account of the role of SMEs. CORNET is based on international cooperation of institutions managing and financing industry research. The aim of the project is to promote close cooperation between entities involved (national/regional ministries and agencies) and create opportunities for financing research from public (national/regional) sources for the needs of specific industries.
EIG CONCERT-Japan
On 4 April 2018 NCBR signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between institutions participating in the EIG CONCERT-Japan initiative. EIG CONCERT-Japan is an international joint initiative supporting and developing science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation between European countries and Japan.
KONNECT
KONNECT (Strengthening STI Cooperation between the EU and Korea, Promoting Innovation and the Enhancement of Communication for Technology-related Policy Dialogue) initiative aims to strengthen cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI) between the Republic of Korea and Europe. KONNECT is a continuation of previous activities aimed at cooperation with Korea, including KORANET initiatives.
V4 – Japan Cooperation
September 2014 saw the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between research funding institutions from the Visegrad Group countries (V4: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) and Japan. The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen and promote cooperation in the field of research and development and innovation by financing joint projects.
V4 – Korea Cooperation
In December 2015, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between research funding institutions from the Visegrad Group countries (V4: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) and the Republic of Korea. The aim of this initiative is to develop cooperation in the field of science and technology and innovation by financing joint projects.
EUREKA
The aim of the EUREKA initiative is to increase the modernity, productivity and competitiveness of the European industry. It funds projects carried out by at least two partners from two different Member States, aimed at developing and implementing or significantly improving an existing production technology, implementing a new product or service.