Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RICH-2 (The Research Infrastructures Consortium of NCPs for H2020)
Reporting period: 2019-05-01 to 2020-11-30
The overall objective of RICH-2 was to strengthen the capacities of and cooperation among NCPs in the area of Research Infrastructures (including e-infrastructures) and to provide high quality support and services to programme applicants and the Research Infrastructure (RI) community at large with the view to increase the quality of RI proposals in the area.
In order to reach the overall goal, a set of specific objectives (SO) have been established and the plan of activities implanted accordingly, in particular:
SO1 - Promote an equal and consistent minimum level of National Contact Point support services throughout Europe and enhance the highly professional support services operating nationally.
by running the “Liaison Office” ensuring that all RI NCPs (including those RI NCPs which decided not to become beneficiary in the project) get the same high quality and consistent level of RI knowledge and services (Task 1.3)
by mentoring of newcomers through a dedicated introductory webinars and ‘welcome package’ to steepen the learning curve of recent NCPs (Task 2.1).
by training on key technical issues specifically related to forthcoming RI calls (Task 2.1)
by helping new/less experienced NCPs and NCPs in those countries that have been participating at low level in the H2020 RI Programme to rapidly acquire the know-how accumulated already in other countries through expert seminars and conferences, specific and horizontal trainings and exchange schemes (Task 2.2 , Task 2.3 and Task 3.1)
SO2 - Foster the exchange of good practices and raise the general standard of support to programme applicants, taking into account the diversity of actors that make up the constituency of the Research Infrastructures sector (including eInfrastructure).
by organizing a Research Infrastructure Symposium; (Task 3.1)
by promoting trans-national and virtual access opportunities in close cooperation with RI project Coordinators. (Task 3.2)
by providing professional proposal check services to H2020 RI applicants; (Task 3.3a and Task 3.3b)
by providing FAQs online (Task 2.5)
SO3 - Create synergies with other NCPs networks to promote RI in other H2020 programmes, ensure efficient collaboration and avoid duplications to ensure RICH-2 results being sustainable.
by continuing a fruitful collaboration with the NCP Academy and the thematic NCP Networks, that will contribute to avoid duplication between networks activities (Task 2.4)
by participating in major RI events (Task 3.4)
In order to reach the overall goal, a set of specific objectives (SO) have been established and the plan of activities implanted accordingly, in particular:
SO1 - Promote an equal and consistent minimum level of National Contact Point support services throughout Europe and enhance the highly professional support services operating nationally.
by running the “Liaison Office” ensuring that all RI NCPs (including those RI NCPs which decided not to become beneficiary in the project) get the same high quality and consistent level of RI knowledge and services (Task 1.3)
by mentoring of newcomers through a dedicated introductory webinars and ‘welcome package’ to steepen the learning curve of recent NCPs (Task 2.1).
by training on key technical issues specifically related to forthcoming RI calls (Task 2.1)
by helping new/less experienced NCPs and NCPs in those countries that have been participating at low level in the H2020 RI Programme to rapidly acquire the know-how accumulated already in other countries through expert seminars and conferences, specific and horizontal trainings and exchange schemes (Task 2.2 , Task 2.3 and Task 3.1)
SO2 - Foster the exchange of good practices and raise the general standard of support to programme applicants, taking into account the diversity of actors that make up the constituency of the Research Infrastructures sector (including eInfrastructure).
by organizing a Research Infrastructure Symposium; (Task 3.1)
by promoting trans-national and virtual access opportunities in close cooperation with RI project Coordinators. (Task 3.2)
by providing professional proposal check services to H2020 RI applicants; (Task 3.3a and Task 3.3b)
by providing FAQs online (Task 2.5)
SO3 - Create synergies with other NCPs networks to promote RI in other H2020 programmes, ensure efficient collaboration and avoid duplications to ensure RICH-2 results being sustainable.
by continuing a fruitful collaboration with the NCP Academy and the thematic NCP Networks, that will contribute to avoid duplication between networks activities (Task 2.4)
by participating in major RI events (Task 3.4)
The work carried out in the project reflects the goals described in Annex1: structured information on each task is provided in section 1.2 Explanation of the work carried out per WP while all the details are given in the different Deliverable reports.
WP1 Project management, communication & dissemination:
The WP was designed to put in place appropriate and efficient coordination and management including administrative and financial tasks, take timely corrective actions, ensure timely delivery of results with an adequate quality level and run the liaison office for extended NCP network. Two specific tasks were devoted to communication with the European Commission and to communication & dissemination of project results.
Main Results
• The project management structure revealed to be efficient, the quality management effective and the partnership strong even under pressure. All project activities have been implemented successfully by the consortium.
• 2 Physical meetings, 1 virtual meeting and 12 Consortium Telcos were organised
• 2 Amendments were prepared and submitted
• The Liaison Office maintained regular contact and kept the entire Network informed about project activities
• Regular information and communication with the EC
• Project website and intranet regularly updated
WP2 Capacity Building
The WP was conceived to improve and professionalise NCP services by providing training on key technical issues specifically related to RIs, to mentor newcomers through a dedicated introductory webinar and a ‘welcome pack’, to achieve full synergy of Research Infrastructures with other H2020 areas and networks and maximise the exchange within the RIs NCPs.
Main Results
• Two trainings have been organised: the first on legal and financial issues and proposal writing, the second on increasing success rates
• 2 webinars on Research Infrastructures in Horizon Europe have taken place
• The Welcome Package for new NCPs has been updated
• One online tripling was successfully performed
• One expert seminar was organized and a leaflet on Widening of Research Infrastructures was made available on the project’s website
• Q&A available online
WP3 Services to Stakeholders
The main objective of this WP was to extend the impact of the network of RIs NCPs increasing the interest and participation in Horizon 2020 Programme, raising awareness among the RIs stakeholders about the services and support given by the NCPs in their own countries.
Main Results
• The RICH Symposium entitled Symposium on Research Infrastructures as Engines for Maximising Impact of HE was successfully organised
• The RI projects’ coordinators needs were identified through a survey and interviews to available coordinators
• The search tool on TA/VA open calls was regularly updated and available online
• 4 webinars on TA/VA open calls took place in 2020
• A proposal workshop for RIs applicants was successfully organised in Prague
WP1 Project management, communication & dissemination:
The WP was designed to put in place appropriate and efficient coordination and management including administrative and financial tasks, take timely corrective actions, ensure timely delivery of results with an adequate quality level and run the liaison office for extended NCP network. Two specific tasks were devoted to communication with the European Commission and to communication & dissemination of project results.
Main Results
• The project management structure revealed to be efficient, the quality management effective and the partnership strong even under pressure. All project activities have been implemented successfully by the consortium.
• 2 Physical meetings, 1 virtual meeting and 12 Consortium Telcos were organised
• 2 Amendments were prepared and submitted
• The Liaison Office maintained regular contact and kept the entire Network informed about project activities
• Regular information and communication with the EC
• Project website and intranet regularly updated
WP2 Capacity Building
The WP was conceived to improve and professionalise NCP services by providing training on key technical issues specifically related to RIs, to mentor newcomers through a dedicated introductory webinar and a ‘welcome pack’, to achieve full synergy of Research Infrastructures with other H2020 areas and networks and maximise the exchange within the RIs NCPs.
Main Results
• Two trainings have been organised: the first on legal and financial issues and proposal writing, the second on increasing success rates
• 2 webinars on Research Infrastructures in Horizon Europe have taken place
• The Welcome Package for new NCPs has been updated
• One online tripling was successfully performed
• One expert seminar was organized and a leaflet on Widening of Research Infrastructures was made available on the project’s website
• Q&A available online
WP3 Services to Stakeholders
The main objective of this WP was to extend the impact of the network of RIs NCPs increasing the interest and participation in Horizon 2020 Programme, raising awareness among the RIs stakeholders about the services and support given by the NCPs in their own countries.
Main Results
• The RICH Symposium entitled Symposium on Research Infrastructures as Engines for Maximising Impact of HE was successfully organised
• The RI projects’ coordinators needs were identified through a survey and interviews to available coordinators
• The search tool on TA/VA open calls was regularly updated and available online
• 4 webinars on TA/VA open calls took place in 2020
• A proposal workshop for RIs applicants was successfully organised in Prague
RICH-2 during its 19 months duration has contributed to the expected impacts listed in the DoA as they were relevant for the entire project duration.
Expected impact R1 – An improved, more consistent and Professionalized NCP service across Europe, thereby helping to simplify access to Horizon 2020 calls, and lowering the entry barriers for newcomers.
Level of achievement (0-5): 4.5
Related tasks:
Task 2.1 RICH Academy
Task 2.2 Triplings focus on LPC
Task 2.3 Expert Seminar
Task 1.3 Liaison office
Expected impact R2 - An increase in the quality of proposals submitted, including those from countries where success rates are currently lower than average.
Level of achievement (0-5): 5
Related tasks:
Task 3.1 Symposium
Task 3.2 Promotion of Trasnational and virtual access
Task 3.3 International Proposal check services
Expected impact R1 – An improved, more consistent and Professionalized NCP service across Europe, thereby helping to simplify access to Horizon 2020 calls, and lowering the entry barriers for newcomers.
Level of achievement (0-5): 4.5
Related tasks:
Task 2.1 RICH Academy
Task 2.2 Triplings focus on LPC
Task 2.3 Expert Seminar
Task 1.3 Liaison office
Expected impact R2 - An increase in the quality of proposals submitted, including those from countries where success rates are currently lower than average.
Level of achievement (0-5): 5
Related tasks:
Task 3.1 Symposium
Task 3.2 Promotion of Trasnational and virtual access
Task 3.3 International Proposal check services