Greek - German bilateral Research & Innovation cooperation - 2016

The deadline for submission of proposals is March 03, 2017.

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Priority research areas

The funding measure is focused on collaborative projects of applied research, development and innovation in research areas which are important for both countries:

1. Health: Translational epidemiological studies in human zoonotic infectious diseases.

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2. Agrofood-Bioeconomy: A sustainable primary production and processing

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3. Energy:

• Energy-saving technologies, for example for the building, industrial or agricultural sector;

• Technologies for the production and storage of energy from renewable energy systems (RES), for example solar power plants, small hydroelectric systems, wave energy, geothermal energy, small wind farms, hybrid and biofuels, fuel cells and hydrogen production, integrated systems for the use of renewable energy in stand-alone solutions;

• Smart grids, transmission and distribution systems, for example synergies with the ICT / energy sectors, optimization of the transmission and distribution of electricity;

• Reducing the effects of using conventional fuels, for example thermoelectric systems, extraction of hydrocarbons, "green" technologies;

• Scientific and technological (S&T) support for public energy policy: Further development of the value-added chain and strengthening of the interfaces between the energy and transport / tourism / urban development / materials sectors; socio-economic aspects, civic participation and acceptance issues.

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4. Culture-Tourism-Culture / Innovation and Social Challenges:

• Digital documentation of cultural heritage;

• Development of cultural and institutional innovations in industry, government, administration and civil society.

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5. Materials:

• Nanotechnology (focused on nano-carbons and applications in membranes and porous materials) for industrial applications.

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6. Key Enabling Technologies:

• Optical Technologies: industry-led projects (2 + 2 partners) in the field of optical metrology applied in cross-sectoral interventions.

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Funding recipients / Prerequisites for funding

The funding measure is aimed at higher education institutions, non-university research institutions and commercial companies (and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular).

As an orientation, funding will depend on the expected scientific gain and high potential for realization and success in line with the objectives of the funding measure. Applicants must be able to furnish evidence of previous work in the field and must demonstrate considerable willingness to cooperate. The project proposals must as a rule demonstrate an interdisciplinary and / or transdisciplinary approach and help to enhance research collaboration between Greece and Germany.

As an orientation, funding will be provided for a collaboration consisting of two partners per country (research institution / higher education institution and commercial company). Mere alliances of current national projects are not eligible for funding. Specific prerequisites for funding exist depending on the orientation of the topic area. Cooperation between the partners in a collaborative project must be laid down in a written cooperation agreement.

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Scope of funding

This funding measure covers expenditure / costs for

• project-related personnel to execute scientific tasks specifically related to the project;

• project-related resources and equipment;

• travel and stays, and

• workshops / events.

Funding is provided by the respective national funding providers (GSRT in Greece, BMBF in Germany) in accordance with applicable national laws and guidelines.

The GSRT and the BMBF agreed to allocate up to € 9 million each in funding available under this funding measure. Every research collaboration can generally receive a maximum funding amount of up to 350,000 € from both the Greek and German sides. The duration of a project is a maximum of three years.

Financial and staff participation in the joint project should be virtually equal on both the Greek side and the German side.

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Application procedure

The applications must contain a joint project description in English in addition to the formal and financial information required by the home country.

Joint applications must be submitted in electronic form (and in written form on the German side) by February 15, 2017.

Additional written supporting documents may be requested if needed by either side according to national requirements.

Prior to submission of an application prospective applicants should contact the appropriate central national agencies for detailed information about respective national requirements pertaining to applications and funding.

The description must include the following aspects of the project:

1. details concerning the project coordinator and the Greek and German project partners

2. meaningful summary (objectives, research priorities, utilization of results)

3. scientific scope of the project (planned activities to implement the objectives of the funding measure, information on the state of the art, description of the scientific objective of the project)

4. international cooperation in the framework of the project (value added of the international cooperation, contributions made by the Greek and German partners, experience of the participating partners in international cooperation, previous collaborations)

5. sustainability of the measure / utilization plan (expected scientific results, consolidation of cooperation with the partners, involvement of young researchers, planned measures for transfer of results to industry, planned cooperation in follow-up projects (compatibility)

6. detailed description of work plan, distribution of work packages, methodology and cooperation with third parties

7. estimated expenditure / costs.

8. A legal claim to funding cannot be derived from the submission of a project proposal.

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Evaluation of proposals

Both countries each carry out an evaluation of the joint proposals received according to the following criteria:

1. fulfillment of the formal prerequisites for funding

2. relevance to the objectives of the funding measure

3. scientific criteria (scientific quality and originality of the project, expertise of the applicant and the participating Greek and German partners, scientific benefit, prospects for the distribution and commercialization of the expected results, quality of the cooperation between the partners from research / science and industry )

4. criteria of international cooperation (preparation / development of new international partnerships, applicant's experience in international cooperation, consolidation of bilateral / international partnerships, quality of the cooperation and value added for the partner institutions, support of young researchers)

5. plausibility and viability of the project (funding; work steps; time frame).

Following a final national evaluation, a joint Greek-German selection committee will identify suitable proposals on the basis of the above criteria and evaluation.

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Ependysis Business Consultants can prepare you in the submission of the investment file, as well as to help you arrange the partners of the project.