Objective
SMEs are more than ever a fresh topic raising many questions and expectations for Europe’s future. In this regard, the main concern remains the reinforcement of innovation in SMEs. This issue is taken into account through specific programmes and measures intending to transform the innovation challenge into new business opportunities: the Lisbon Strategy, the support programmes 2007-2013 and the Member States’ strategic plans. The Conference on SMEs, Research and Innovation will be based on these observations and will be held under Belgian Presidency, at the ideal period of re-designing of the FP8 and other major EU support programmes (Structural Funds, CIP,...). The overall purpose of the Conference will be: (1) To take stock of the current situation (the business reality in which SMEs operate, existing SME support measures and incentives for technological innovation, lack of support in areas such as service innovation etc.). The focus of the discussion would be on the creation of synergies between existing support measures at regional, national and European level. This forum will directly raise the awareness of participants towards current measures/instruments and economic opportunities open to them. (2) To prepare a comprehensive vision for future SME Research and Innovation policies. Research, innovation, and SMEs should be tightly linked elements shaping Europe’s future. The idea here is to look beyond the 2013 horizon when FP7 and CIP will be finished. Questions to address could include: how to develop research and innovation policies starting from the needs of SMEs?; what sort of research and innovation programmes best address the needs of SMEs?; what role for the MS / EU?; how to create the conditions and environment that will make SMEs more innovative? The resulting output of the Conference will consist in a strategy paper proposing short term and longer term initiatives, to be submitted to the Competitiveness Council.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-Adhoc-2007-13
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
5100 Namur
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.