Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NUCL-EU 2020 (Connecting EURATOM National Contact Points in a pro-active network under EURATOM Programme in Horizon 2020)

Teaser

NUCL-EU 2020 aims at improving and professionalizing the NCP service, thus achieving a more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe with the final goal to better support applicants and raise the average quality of proposals submitted.NUCL-EU 2020 builds upon the...

Summary

NUCL-EU 2020 aims at improving and professionalizing the NCP service, thus achieving a more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe with the final goal to better support applicants and raise the average quality of proposals submitted.

NUCL-EU 2020 builds upon the experience and results of the previous NUCL-EU project with the objective of responding to the new challenges that the EURATOM NCPs face in the new programme Horizon 2020, such as the broadened thematic scope of EURATOM programme, and the enlarged mandate of the NCPs. An objective of the NUCL-EU 2020 project is to satisfy the needs and priorities of all different types of NCPs, notably newcomers, NCPs with fewer resources, NCPs from EU-13 and NCPs in Third Countries so as to face the challenge of the current heterogeneity of the network

The enlarged mandate of EURATOM NCPs and the holistic focus of H2020 imply that NCPs need to create expert knowledge and look for it outside the EURATOM Network by having a holistic approach and liaising and collaborating with other support structures, projects and programmes. NUCL-EU 2020 will therefore have a real structured coordination with the other NCP and support networks such as C-Energy 2020, Ideal-IST, SEREN3 and Health NCP Net 2.0, where collaboration for joint activities like training courses, meet and exchange workshops and brokerage events is established.

Main tools towards the objectives are:
- support and information materials
- comprehensive training programme
- mentoring programme (staff exchanges)
- training for stakeholders
- system of email alert for NCPs about research funding and related policies
- information and communication hub for EURATOM NCPs (easy access to information and services , exchange of information and opinions between NCPs)
- International brokerage events

Work performed

The work carried out during the first reporting period reflects the goals outlined in Annex 1 and in particular towards the support and further development of the NCP role and capacity according to the needs of EURATOM community. Structured information on each Task is provided in the section “1.2 Explanation of the work carried per WP” while all the details are given in the Deliverables associated to the implementation of the different Tasks.
The project builds around two technical work packages supplemented by a work package devoted to the project management and a work package for the communication activities. All work packages closely work together to achieve NUCL-EU 2020 objectives.

WP1 Management
The WP is 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.
This list of EURATOM NCP’s is continiously updated and in addition, the availability to host project related events (trainings, twinnings…) is checked among associated NCP’s as a priority.


WP2 Capacity building for NCP’s
The WP is conceived to improved and professionalised NCP services by providing training on key technical issues specifically related to EURATOM, to mentor newcomers through dedicated introductory trainings and webinars, achieve full synergy of EURATOM with other H2020 pillars and maximise the exchange within the EURATOM NCPs.
Main Results
32 EURATOM NCP’s have responded to the “questionnaire on needs assessment” and by continously collecting the answers for the members of the network, beneficiaries and the extended network, we have a good picture of the skills and the needs of ther EURATOM NCP’s. This is a powerful instrument for the planning of the different activities. Different types of training have been organised: 2 onsite trainings, two webinars. All appointed NCPs have been consulted in designing the training topics and agendas.
All NCP network has been contacted and offered with tailor-made information relevant in the different fields.
Official collaboration has been established with other NCP Networks in order to have a wider impact, in particular with C-Energy 2020, SEREN3 and Health NCP Net 2.0.

WP3 Dialogue with EURATOM participants
The WP aims at encouraging the participation of EURATOM stakeholders within Horizon 2020 and to support them in the successful identification of potential project partners by enhancing the quality of knowledge of the EURATOM stakeholders and fostering network building activities by both organizing international Brokerage Events and planning training in order to strengthen the relationship between EURATOM stakeholders and the network.
Main Results
NUCL-EU 2020 took the initiative to support two international BEs organized by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) in topics related to EURATOM.
Since the beginning of the project NUCL-EU 2020, four training sessions for stakeholders have taken place. All these training sessions have been organized in co-operation with the Energy NCPs network C-Energy 2020.
NUCL-EU 2020, in collaboration with the C-Energy 2020 network, has developed an online partner search tool that offers partnering functions. The tool supports potential applicants of the EURATOM calls in finding potential project partners abroad, encouraging the establishment of new collaborations.

WP4 Communication and dissemination
the main objective i sto raise awareness of NUCL-EU 2020 among energy stakeholders in member states and particularly in EU13 countries and to creating interlinks with other EURATOM platforms, initiatives and projects, including cooperation projects and networks providing services to SMEs and supporting research activities in order to create critical mass and maximize results, such as organizing joint events, sharing tools and best practices
Main Results
The visual identity of the project ha

Final results

NUCL-EU 2020 network expected impact is twofold:

• an improved and professionalised NCP service across Europe thereby helping simplify access to Horizon 2020 calls, lowering the entry barriers for newcomers, and raising the average quality of proposals submitted;
• A more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe.

The success of the project is expected to be measured in terms of:
• Improvements in the EURATOM NCP services across Europe (also in terms of ensuring an easy access to H2020 calls) and the average quality of proposals submitted under H2020 and related programmes;
• Securing a straightforward involvement in the network activities for less or no experiences EURATOM NCPs;
• A more consistent EURATOM NCP network.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.nucleu2020.eu/.