Objectives

The main objective of the "SMEs go Health" project is to offer advice and support to SMEs and SME groupings and assist them in participating in EU-funded research projects in the Health thematic priority of FP7.

Our support aims to help improve the quality of research project proposals submitted in the Health thematic priority of FP7 and increase the participation rate of SMEs.

It is focusing, on the one hand, on the capacity building and training of SMEs and researchers in their preparation of EU-funded projects.

On the other hand, it provides support activities for consortium building and matchmaking for SMEs and researchers preparing EU project proposals.

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Activities

Health-related companies, all over Europe, will be contacted, informed and trained on topics like IPR issues, EU project management and financial aspects of EU projects within FP7.

The initiative addresses also researchers from universities or research organisations preparing a project proposal with SME partners or acting as project participants.

It offers advice and training on proposal writing, identification and involvement of SMEs, financial and legal issues.

National and Transnational training events will be organised.

A series of real and virtual brokerage events and the establishment of a high quality database with SME profiles will create the basis for efficient match making between SMEs and research consortia.

"SMEs go Health" ensures an adequate involvement of Incubators and Biovalleys as important hosts of Health-related SMEs.

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Services offered

This initiative provides SMEs as well as researchers with various services supporting the successful participation in FP7 EU research projects in the Health thematic priority.

The services offered cover the entire procedure;

• from project idea conception to matchmaking and consortium building,
• submission of the proposal and the negotiation phase.

SMEs are offered

• Information and training on EU project related financial, legal and managerial topics within FP7, like IPR, EU project management, etc.;
• A partner search platform where SMEs can publish their profiles and partner searches;
• Support for integration into already existing projects through a Call Information Network;
• Coordination with other initiatives and services offered by the European Commission (CORDIS, Match to Bio, Matchmaking at important events and conferences, IMI initiatives).

Researchers are offered

• Information and training on how to successfully involve SMEs and SME groupings into Health-related project proposals;
• Support in identifying and finding suitable SMEs through an established partner search platform;
• Advice and training on proposal writing and financial/legal issues;
• Networking with Bioincubators and Biovalleys as important hosts of a high number of SMEs;
• Coordination with other initiatives and services offered by the European Commission (CORDIS, Match to Bio, Matchmaking at important events and conferences, IMI initiatives).

Project coordinators of running projects are offered

• Support in launching calls for integration of SMEs;
• Assistance in partner searching for finding the right partner in a later project stage
  (Call Information Network).

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