1. This Project is funded by the
Improved SME Competitiveness and European Union
Innovation Project
Part 2:
Networks for Innovation
Funding

2. FINDING PARTNERS
This Project is funded by the EU
Important
• There is no FP7 R&D project without at
least 3 partners from 3 countries
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3. Finding Partners - Possible Options
This Project is funded by the EU
• Previous or current project partners
• Business partners
• Internal company networks
• Information Days and other events
• Public Partner Search: Cordis, IDEAL-IST
• Specific Support Actions
• Scientific publications
• Patent databases
• Scientific conferences and seminars
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4. Possible Options
This Project is funded by the EU Approaching Existing Contacts
This is the main method used by organisations based
on “word of mouth” and previous collaborations and
exchanges
• MAIN ADVANTAGES: fast access to contacts, trust
and common working language based on previous
collaboration
• DISADVANTAGES: if you don’t open up further, you
may be “stuck” with limited or unsuitable contacts
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5. Possible Options
This Project is funded by the EU
Public Partner Search (Cordis, Ideal-IST, EEN,
etc)
To be used when the CONFIDENTIALITY of the project
is NOT CRITICAL or the project DESCRIPTION TOO
VAGUE for any competitor to “steal” the idea
• MAIN ADVANTAGES: very fast, high yield
• DISADVANTAGES: many unsuitable offers, info
often not directly comparable
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6. Partner Finding
This Project is funded by the EU
Some Criteria for Selection
• Interest and motivation
• Inherent capabilities in the topic domains
• Past experience in EU RTD projects
• Resources in general
• Critical mass in the specific topic area
• Access to local markets, contacts
• Good command of English
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7. Finding Partners
This Project is funded by the EU
Before Committing to Participate
Check role proposed and also
• Main effort, cost and “Return on Investment” involved
• Other potential benefits, e.g. new market opportunities,
improved efficiencies, access to new technologies, etc
If in agreement, supply required info
• Monthly labour rate and overhead rate
• Organization profile
• Short CVs
• Admin data, technical input, etc
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8. Getting Started
This Project is funded by the EU
As a new partner in a consortium you should receive
sufficient information about the proposal, including:
• List of partners, points of contact
• The draft proposal text
• A list of planned preparation activities and completion
dates to be done before to deadline for submission
• Simple rules on proposal change control
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9. Getting Started
This Project is funded by the EU
Agreement on exact role and project budget share
can be
• in good faith through the exchange of telephone
calls / e-mails (a common practice for long-lasting
contacts)
• in writing by signing a memorandum of
understanding (usually for first-time collaborations) or
a None-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
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10. Rules of Behaviour
This Project is funded by the EU
Partner Responsibilities…
• Grant access to own IPR and own pre-existing know-
how if relevant to project
• Sharing of results
• Compliance with EU contract stipulations
• Fulfilment of technical role
• Good communication between partners
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11. Sources for finding partners
This Project is funded by the EU
There are numerous tools, databases, or services around to
help finding partners, for example:
CORDIS Run by the EC, covering all FP7 programmes and calls.
Based on profiles and explicit requests/offerings.
Large database, but often not very call specific results
IDEAL-IST Exclusively for the ICT Theme. Active participation
requires a proposal outline which is “quality checked”.
Search is open. Very call specific but few opportunities.
EEN Focus is on enterprises, not academia. Very good for
technology offers and requests, can be used for FP7 R&D
if application/industry partners are needed.
Linked-In A more personalised network of professionals. Many
groups around FP7, but more on “meeting” people, rather
than parameterises search functions.
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12. Sources for finding partners
This Project is funded by the EU
… and one more source of finding partners, most likely the most
important one:
Information Days and Conferences
A good example is the ICT Proposers Day 2012 resulting in a
large collection of ideas (http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/cf/ictpd12/stream-
items.cfm?id=177&by=175)
You need to be well prepared for such events, precise proposal
idea, short and clear profile of your organization with respect to
this idea, and well acquainted with the relevant work-
programme.
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13. Sources for finding partners
This Project is funded by the EU
CORDIS Partners Service
• The Partners Service is a free on-line service, tailor-
made to help you to find the best research partners for
your projects, either in the context of EU-funded R&D
projects or within a broader search for technology-
orientated partnerships.
• It is open to everybody, there is no quality check of
published proposal ideas!
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14. The EEN Network
This Project is funded by the EU
The Enterprise Europe Network
offers support and advice to
European small and medium sized
businesses, helping you to make
the most of business opportunities
beyond national and European
Union borders
The Enterprise Europe Network brings together business
support organisations from across 49 countries, with more
than 580 member organisations
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15. Enterprise Europe Network
This Project is funded by the EU
• EEN is Europe’s largest business and technology network
• The partners include chambers of commerce, enterprise
agencies, regional development organizations, research
institutes, universities, technology centres and innovation
centres
• Strongly rooted in local communities and regions across
Europe
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16. Contact points in Serbia
This Project is funded by the EU
• Mihajlo Pupin Institute
• Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency
• Nacionalna agencija za regionalni razvo
• University of Belgrade
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce
• University of Nis
• University of Novi Sad
http://portal.enterprise-europe-
network.ec.europa.eu/about/branches/RS/
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17. Enterprise Europe Network
This Project is funded by the EU
http://portal.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu
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18. LinkedIn
This Project is funded by the EU
• World's largest Professional Network
• Network of more than 175 M members
• More than 2.600.000 companies world wide
• People tend to work with other people (or
institutions) they know
• Idea was to create ONE place to meet other
professionals
Improved SME Competitiveness and Innovation Project

19. How do you use it? (2)
This Project is funded by the EU
• Level of details depends on you
• Based on that details, system will:
1. Send you confirmation on your registration
2. Suggest what groups are of interest for you
• Become a group(s) member
• You can accept the choice of the system and/or
chose additional groups from Groups Directory
(there are close to 1.5 M groups)

20. How do you use it?
This Project is funded by the EU
• Search for the groups you are interested in, using key
words and join them
• When a member, enable system to send you an e-mail
for each new comment (to keep it current) – bottom of
the page – it is optional and you can rethink your
decision
• Recommendation: if EU funded project oriented, be a
part of EU funds group
• You are set to go!

21. Linked In
This Project is funded by the EU
EU Consortium Partner Network, Europe PF programmes and other
EuropeAid Contracts
European Entrepreneurs - Erasmus For Young Entrepreneurs
FP7 Programme - Research for SMEs
Tender Writers Guild
Bid Managers
EC/EuropeAid Framework Contracts Projects
Technical Assistance Consultancy Network; EU, Worldbank, Calls, Grants, International
Development
FP7 Research for the benefit of SMEsJoin
Framework Programme Seven (FP7)Join
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22. This Project is funded by the EU
THANK YOU
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