APRE Agency for the Promotion of European Research apre.it

1. APRE Agency for the Promotion of European Researchwww.apre.it

2. no profit research association, created in 1989 • upon the initiative of the Ministry of Research and of the European Commission • Hosting all National Contact Points for the VII Framework Programme Who is with the MISSION improve the quality and the quantity of Italian participation in Research Development and Innovation EU programmes

3. WHAT NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS DO The NCP network is structured so as to: Provide information on the regulations for participating in the Framework Programme. Provide assistance in preparing research projects. Ensure good geographical coveragein the state in which it operates. Ensure contact with the Commission, with Programme Committes and with correspondents from the other Member States. Advise the other Community networks (ex. EEN ) of those potential participants that require assistance (ex. patents and/or technology transfers)

4. National Contact Points Email surname@apre.it

5. Quality Certification Quality Certification for: • information & assistance services • training activity regarding Research programmes

6. WHAT TO WHOM Information SMEs • information days • personalised Large enterprises • publications Assistance Universities • identifying most suitable programme • partner search Public and Private Research Centres • eligibility check and pre-proposal advice • assistance in contract negotiation and administration problems Training Policy makers

7. APRE’s Activities • Assistance before project submission • By telephone, email and vis a vis in APRE to: • Identify theme and topic in FP7 • Verify the eligibly of the proposals • Pre-screening of the proposals • Help in the use of the EPSS System Partner search with NEW focus on EXTRA EU (ICPCs) • Information • Conferences • News alert • Publications • Internet website From idea To the end of the contract • Training • How to be a good coordinator • Proposal Preparation • How to disseminate research results • IPR and Consortium Agreement • Assistance after project start • Assistance in: • Negotiation • Management of the projects • Dissemination of the results • Reporting

8. APRE’s Members 108 members

9. Industrial Federations Industries Universities APRE Members Science Parks MIUR APRE APRE Regional desks Chambers of Commerce Public&Private Research Centres Credit Institutions NETWORK APRE

10. Helpdesks Bruxelles 17 Helpdesks All over Italy and 1 office in Bruxelles

11. DIRECTION Area 1 Legal & financial Area 3 Scientific Area 2 Scientific Members coordination Industrial research + SMEs International Cooperation APRE administration Communication Unit Capacity-SSH-SiS- People-Idea Financial & administrative management of projects Life Sciences, Food Environment Project design Unit Personnel management & training Team Project manager Project officer Team Project manager Project officer Quality certification

12. APRE database Newsletter APRE web site Channels

13. Partner search

14. APRE’s Intranet • It is especially devoted to APRE’s members and allows multilateral communication within it • It deals with strategic and not official information • The aim is to promote an effective networking of all the organizations involved in APRE

15. APRE in EU Projects • APRE’s role: • Project Management • Dissemination of project results • Exchange of Best practices • Communication tools (web, brochures etc) • Training skills on FP 7 issues • Benefits for our “users”: • The European and international network we build and take advantage of. • Up to date expertise and “experience built by doing” • Free assistance to our “clients” in FP 7 issues • Organization of Free Info days and Brokerage events for our researchers (SMEs included) 44 Partner Coordinator 9

16. HOW NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS OPERATE? On-line information Web site Telephone Help-line and Individual meetings Channels and instruments information and assistance Meetings and activities to promote SMEs participation National and local information days Workshops focused on sector or programme, national or local

17. Design a strategy and objectives Good internal organisation and external cooperation (national and international level) Evaluation of NCP service (identify indicators)

18. APRE’s mission is to increase (in quantity and quality) the Italian participation in European research programmes (FP) Priorities in line with the national research plan APRE as NCP

19. Evaluation of NCP services enlarged to all users (researchers) Questionnaire uploaded in APRE’s web sitehttp://www.apre.it/questnew/ A report with the results of all questionnaire is discussed with the management board APRE as NCP

20. Small and flexible structure Good experience as NCP Regional helpdesks Networking with other NCP organisations Link with national research infratructure Good visibility within the research comunity in Italy Strenghts

21. Lack of national funds No standard NCP services for all regional helpdesks Coordination with PC and theMinistry of Research and Education Weaknesses

22. Networking on EU initiatives Involvment of private sector (Industry) Improvement of quality of Italian proposals Team working Future opportunities

23. Thank you for the attention!Gianluca RossiAPRE+39 06 48939993 rossi@apre.it