Brussels, 13/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 October, the European Commission launched a Seal of Excellence, which will reward the quality of regional research project proposals, so that they can more easily access European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).
The presentation of the label took place at the opening of the European Open Days event for regions and cities (see EUROPE 11408) and it will affect projects submitted as part of the Horizon 2020 programme but, which, despite their quality, have not managed to access funding, due to budgetary constraints.
During its pilot phase, the Seal of Excellence will initially be awarded to projects submitted by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) involved in innovative activities, through the SME instrument included in the Horizon 2020 programme. The Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, pointed out that more than €32 billion would be made available to SMEs by way of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). €9 billion will also be made available as part of the Horizon 2020 programme exclusively for SMEs. Later, the Seal of Excellence could also apply to other sections of the Horizon 2020 programme (e.g. Marie Sklodowska-Curie grants, European Research Council).
The Committee of the Regions and the Commission will set up an exchange platform for knowledge and good practices that will be available to the local and regional authorities, so that they can optimise use of this new mechanism and develop appropriate financing mechanisms. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)