Introduction to European
Research Funding
David Blackledge
Director of European Affairs
Transport & Travel Research
CIVITAS UK & Ireland City Network
European Funding Workshop
Liverpool, 16th June 2009
Content of Presentation
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The EU policy context
The transport sector
The importance of cities
Funding programmes and conditions for
participation
Pros and cons of participating in EC
projects
EU Policy Context
Jobs and Sustainable Development
• Lisbon strategy (European Council March 2000, updated March
2005)
– Jobs and growth
– 3 dimensions: economic, social and environmental
– General context of sustainable development
• EU Strategy for sustainable development (Gothenburg European
Council, 15 May 2001)
– 6 unsustainable trends on which action needs to be taken:
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social exclusion
ageing society
climate change
Health
natural resources
transport
– Global dimension - contributing to sustainable development in the rest
of the world
EU Policy Context
Energy and Climate Change
• Integrated energy and climate change policy
adopted December 2008
• Targets for 2020 (the 20-20-20 Energy
Objectives)
– cutting greenhouse gases by 20% of 1990 levels
(30% if international agreement is reached)
– reducing energy consumption by 20% of projected
2020 levels through increased energy efficiency
– meeting 20% of energy needs from renewable
sources (currently 8.5%)
EU Policy Context
Regional Policy
• Reduce structural disparities between EU
regions
– Convergence
– Regional Competitiveness and Employment
– Territorial Cooperation
• “Balanced polycentric development”
• Promote equal opportunities for all
EU Policy Context
Transport
Mid-term review of the EC 2001 White Paper
“Effective transportation systems are essential to Europe’s prosperity,
having significant impacts on economic growth, social development
and the environment ”
• Importance of the Transport industry for the EU economy:
– 7 % of GDP and 5 % of jobs
– Mobility is an essential component of the competitiveness of European
industry and services
• Major challenges for the Transport sector:
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30% of total EU energy consumption, 98% dependent on oil
Responsible for 25% of CO2 emissions in EU
Pollution costs €160 billion per year
Demand for mobility is increasing
– Enlargement of the EU creates new problems
The transport sector
Transport measures to meet 20-20-20 Energy Targets
• For sectors not covered by the EU Emissions
Trading System (e.g. surface transport)
– greenhouse emissions to be cut to 10% below 2005
levels by 2020 through binding national targets (UK
16%)
– Renewables will produce 20% of all the EU’s energy
by 2020 through binding national targets (UK 15%)
• At least 10% of transport fuel in each country
must be renewable (biofuels, hydrogen, 'green'
electricity, etc.)
– Biofuels must meet agreed sustainability criteria
The transport sector
Transport in the EU Regional Policy context
• Improving accessibility of regions
– Trans-European Networks
• Investing in environmentally sustainable
transport facilities especially in urban areas
Urban Transport
2007 Green Paper
Towards a new culture
for Urban Mobility
Free-flowing towns and cities
Greener towns and cities
Promoting walking and cycling
Optimising the use of private cars and
freight transport
New technologies
Green procurement
Eco- driving
Traffic restrictions
Smart charging systems
Better information
Smarter urban transport
Accessible urban transport
Safe and secure urban
transport
Collective transport meeting citizens needs
Balanced coordination of land use and
integrated urban mobility
Safer behaviour
Safer and secure infrastructures
Safer vehicles
Urban Transport
2009 Action Plan on
Urban Mobility
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New CIVITAS Initiative
Increased ITS research and funding?
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Importance of cities
• Eighty per cent of Europeans live in an urban
Environment
• Policy priorities
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cities as poles of growth
entrepreneurship, innovation and the knowledge economy
supporting small and medium-sized businesses
decreasing disparities between neighbourhoods and social
groups
– tackling crime and the fear of crime
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– Cities are the main drivers of sustainable mobility in action
EU RTD Funding Programmes
Aims and priorities
• Transnational research programmes are
aimed at developing and demonstrating
innovative tools, measures and policies to
respond to the policy challenges
• Current priorities:
– Clean technologies and alternative fuels
– Modal shift, decongestion
– Sustainable urban mobility
Funding programmes 2007-2013
• 7th Framework
programme
– Controlled by DG Research
but many actions are
initiated by DG TREN
– CIVITAS
– Other Transport actions
– Other Energy actions
– Other Research actions
• INTERREG IVA/B/C
– DG Regional Affairs
– Part of ERDF Programme
• Intelligent Energy Europe
– Executive Agency for
Competitiveness and
Innovation
– STEER
– ALTENER
• LIFE+
– DG Environment
• Others
– DG Social Affairs
– DG Infosoc
– External Cooperation
Programmes
Mechanism for participation in RTD
Projects
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Annual Work Programmes with Calls for Proposals
Information Days
Normally 3 months to submit a bid
Bids are collaborative, submitted by consortia
Proposal template:
– Admin data
– Description of Work
– Detailed budget
• Compulsory elements in the DoW:
– European Added Value
– Workpackage Structure inc
• Evaluation
• Dissemination
General conditions for participation
in RTD Projects
• Minimum 3 partners from 3 member states
– usually more
• Principle of co-financing
– Grants 35 – 75%
• Eligible costs include staff salaries and
overheads
• Equipment and infrastructure may be
eligible
– subject to conditions
Why participate in EC projects?
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To help contribute to the implementation of sustainable mobility
policies through your own experience and expertise.
To get seedcorn funding for risky projects, or to help advance their
implementation.
To build partnerships and critical mass for R&D projects,
especially where EU standards would be beneficial.
To help staff development by exposing them to new ideas and
different ways of doing things.
To give a project focus to the development of measures or
policies, thus helping efficient implementation and evaluation.
To network and exchange experience with others with a common
professional background but different history, culture and
institutional environment.
To gain added value
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from the political profile of being involved in a European project
by establishing a reputation as an innovator
by stimulation of tourism and trade linkages etc
Disadvantages of participating in EC
Projects
• Cost of bidding
• Need to commit staff resources for 2-4
years
• Need to travel to meetings
• EC Bureaucracy
• Distraction from day-to-day work (?)
• Working with foreigners (!)
If you do decide to give it a try…
• Don’t wait for a Call for
Proposals - Start now
• Be active and participate fully
• Budget to spend time and
money on bids
• Understand why the project is
being supported by EU funds
and how you can contribute
• Consider 3 stages:
• Don’t forget the political
dimension
– Preparation
– Partnership
– Proposal
• Be prepared for bids to fail
• Be prepared to spend time
travelling to meetings and
dealing with bureaucracy
• Adopt a long-term view
If you have an open mind, you have much to gain
Thank you!
David Blackledge
Chairman and Director of European Affairs
Transport & Travel Research Ltd
[email protected]
Phone 01543 416 416