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2. SMEs and EU projects
This page gives access to specific European actions to support the R&D of SMEs.
SMEs: horizontal programmes
European definition of SMEs
Definition applicable from January 2005:
- Fewer than 250 employees
- Less than € 50 million turnover
- Less than € 43 million balance sheet total
Specific actions for SMEs
- The projects may cover all domains of research even those outside the priority themes set by the 6th RDFP
- Cooperative research (formerly CRAFT)
Helps SMEs capable of innovation but without internal research structures
- Collective research
Research conducted by laboratories on behalf of manufacturing associations or groups of SMEs in order to improve their competitiveness
 Back to top Cooperative research projects (CRAFT)
Helps SMEs capable of innovation but without internal research structures
Objective
- To satisfy the Technological Research and Development requirements of SMEs
- To facilitate transnational TRD cooperation between SMEs
- To encourage cooperation between SMEs and the European scientific community
European contribution
- 50% for TRD activities
- 100% for project management (up to 7% of the total budget)
- funding between 0.5 and 2 million
Minimum partnership
- 3 SMEs from 2 different countries
- 2 laboratories from 2 different countries
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Duration
Activities
- Research on a specific theme
- Management
Expected results
- To develop or improve: products, processes, services or to meet other requirements of SMEs
Evaluation criteria
- Relevance of the cooperative research proposed
- Scientific and technological excellence
- Potential impact
Back to top Collective research projects
Research conducted by laboratories on behalf of manufacturing associations or groups of SMEs.
Objective
- To broaden the knowledge base of a wide community SMEs and
- To improve their level of competitiveness
European contribution
- 50% for Technological Research and Development activities
- 100% for training activities
- 100% for project management (up to 7% of the total budget)
- funding between € 2 and 5 million
Minimum partnership
- 2 independent associations or groups or 1 European association or group
- 1 group of SMEs consisting of 2 SMEs from 2 countries
- 2 laboratories or research enterprises from 2 different Member or Associated States
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Duration
Activities
- Research on a specific theme
- Management of the consortium
- Training
Expected results
- Reinforcement of the technological base of one sector of activities in particular
- The development of 'technological tools' (e.g.: safety equipment)
- Performance of the pre-normative research necessary for defining European standards
- Response to common challenges and problems
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