Toolbox    Overview    Call planning    Scope of the call

1.3.4 Definition of targeted projects

Before launching a call the ERA-NET consortium has to agree on the type of projects that will be supported. Clarification and transparency on what is eligible will avoid misunderstandings also on the part of the applicants.

Eligibility criteria
Basically, eligibility criteria are necessary to assure equal formal conditions for all applicants.

Phases of research
The ERA-NET consortium will define which type of research will be addressed. The choice between basic and applied RTD will naturally emerge from the focus of participating programmes.

In the case of applied RTD particular attention should be paid to the question of commercialisation of project results. It needs to be clarified to the applicants if the participation of industry partners is a requirement at ERA-NET level and/or at national/regional levels.
The choice of the funding mode may depend on the phases of research that are supported in the call.

Size of consortia
The minimum size (number of participants) of eligible consortia has a decisive function in your calls. It has been shown that small consortia are a preferred constellation for ERA-NET calls, which bridges the gap between pure national schemes and programmes which require larger consortia, for example FP7.

Duration of projects
When deciding on the eligible duration of projects the ERA-NET consortium should take into account the follow-up activities, such as the monitoring of funded projects.
In particular it has to be clarified how any activities beyond the duration of the ERA-NET or ERA-NET PLUS contract will be carried out and how the necessary resources will be secured, because in no case can funding money from an ERA-NET project be set aside for monitoring activities after the project end.