Terms of Reference

The New Instruments mid-term evaluation

Objectives, impact and level of ambition

• Do the New Instruments pursue objectives of which the scale of ambition is higher than those under the previous Framework Programmes?
  
  
• For Integrated Projects:
  
  • Is an advancement of knowledge through the integration of activities
    and resources likely to be expected?
  
  
• For Networks of Excellence:
  
  • Is an integration of existing research capacities likely to be expected?
    
  • Is such integration likely to be durable?
    
  • Is it likely that such a durable integration will have a long lasting impact on the European research fabric?
  
  
• Do the New Instruments allow for the mobilisation of a critical mass of activities, resources and expertise to allow for the achievement of their ambitious objectives?

Participants

• Do the partnerships involve a satisfactory share of key players in the field concerned?
  
• Do the New Instruments allow for a satisfactory level of synergy and cooperation between academic and industrial circles?
  
• Is the average share of Candidate Countries involved in the New Instruments satisfactory?
  
• Is the average share of small and medium sized enterprises(see below), small research teams small entities and actors from smaller countries involved in the New Instruments satisfactory?
  
• Are the specific measures adopted by the Commission likely to ensure the achievement of the objective of dedicating 15 % of the financial resources of the thematic priority areas to SMEs?

Evaluation

• Does the panel consider that the evaluation processes (peer review, quality of experts) allowed for a selection of the best proposals that reflected a correct understanding of the New Instruments?

Management

• Does the increased autonomy conceded to the participants and the simplification of rules and procedures allow for a simplification of their management tasks?
  
• Do the New Instruments allow for a reduction of the administrative /bureaucratic burden of the Commission services and therefore allow them to play a more strategic role regarding the implementation of the New Instruments?

Implementation of the New Instruments

• Are the plans envisaged by the consortia likely to allow for an adequate exploitation/dissemination of the results beyond the partnership, and especially to small actors?
  
• Do the plans envisaged by the consortia allow for an adequate taking into consideration of the gender issues?
  
• Does the average respective share of New and Traditional Instruments allow for a smooth transition from Framework Programme V to Framework Programme VI in all the thematic priority fields?