The document provides information about Horizon 2020's SME Instrument, which provides funding for innovation projects carried out by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It describes the three phases of the instrument - Phase 1 provides feasibility funding, Phase 2 provides funding to develop innovations to investment readiness and market launch, and Phase 3 provides support for market deployment. It provides budget and deadline information for 2015 and gives an example for an Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme priority area. In summary, the SME Instrument aims to support innovative SMEs in developing innovations from concept to market launch.

1. Horizon 2020’s
SME Instrument
Only for Innovations in SMEs

2. SME INST – who can apply?
SMEs especially established for the SMEInst ins not allowed.
SMEs without innovative experience and capacity is not allowed.
Innovative, fast
growing SMEs
SMEs with
capacity and
experience
Risk SMEs, with innovation potential to
disrupt the market and fast market
growing

3. SME INST –expected impact?
А
B
C

4. HORIZON 2020 – SMEInst
PhasePhase 11 ((optionaloptional))
1 SME required1 SME required
Exploring & assessing the technical
feasibility & commercial potential of
a breakthrough innovation that to be
exploit and commercialize.
Goal - to put a new product, service or
process in the market, through an
innovative application of existing
technologies, methodologies, or
business processes
Activities: risk assessment, design or
market studies, IP exploration.
Funding – up to € 50 000 per project
(6 months project duration).
How to apply – 10 pages business and
project description.
Mentoring/Coaching - up to 3 days
Outcomes – a feasibility study
(technical and commercial), including
a business plan.
Allowed to apply directly to Phase 2.
Innovation projects underpinned by a sound
and strategic business plan (potentially
elaborated and partially funded through
phase 1 of the SME Instrument).
Innovation actions - prototyping,
miniaturization, scaling-up, design,
performance verification, testing,
demonstration, development of pilot lines,
validation for market replication, including
other activities aimed at bringing innovation
to investment readiness and maturity for
market take-up.
Funding – up to 70 % of eligible costs (or in
exceptional, specific cases up to 100 % for
highly scientific research project).
Project funding range: €500 000 - € 2.5
million (project duration 2-2 years).
Mentoring/Coaching - up to 12 days
Outcomes - a new product, process or
service – market ready; a business innovation
plan incorporating a detailed
commercialisation strategy and a financing
plan in view of market launch (e.g. on how to
attract private investors, if applicable).
PhasePhase 22 PhasePhase 33
Commercialization - support for
further developing investment
readiness, linking with private
investors and customers through
brokerage activities, assistance in
applying for further EU risk finance,
and a range of other innovation
support activities and services offered
via the EEN.
No direct financing, but SMEs can
apply for indirect support of Horizon
2020 (as access to risk finance, loans,
guarantees, public procurements,
COSME)
Outcomes – a new product, services,
process placed on the market.
Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme €220,897,600

5. BUDGET
Priorities
2015
Budget (М€) Expected funded projects
LEIT ICT 4,5 90
LEIT NMP 2,38 48
LEIT Biotechnology 0,24 5
LEIT Space 0,875 18
SC Health 4,5 90
SC Food Security 2,2 44
SC Energy 3,726 75
SC Transport 3,896 78
SC Climate 1,9 38
SC IIIs 1,5 30
SC Secure Societies 0,74 15
Total 26,4557 529
PhasePhase 11

6. BUDGET
Priorities
2015
Бюджет (М€) Expected funded projects
LEIT ICT 39,6 26
LEIT NMP 20,944 14
LEIT Biotechnology 2,112 1
LEIT Space 7,7 5
SC Health 39,6 26
SC Food Security 19,36 13
SC Energy 32,7888 22
SC Transport 32,2848 23
SC Climate 16,72 11
SC IIIs 13,2 9
SC Secure Societies 6,512 4
Общо 232,8216 155
PhasePhase 22

7. SME INST – OPEN DATES
18/03/2015
17/06/2015
17/09/2015
16/12/2015
2015
PhasePhase 22PhasePhase 11
18/03/2015
17/06/2015
17/09/2015
16/12/2015
Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME)
изпълнителна агенция за МСП
http://ec.europa.eu/easme/

8. SME INST – example
ICT 37 – 2014/15: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
(implemented through the SME instrument)
Internet address
http://ec.europa.eu/research/sme-techweb/pdf/SME%20Instrument
%20in%20WP%202014-2015.pdf
• Innovation ideas, conceptions, services, rules, models, etc.
• Risk SMEs
• Innovation potential
• Market potential
• Innovation management
• Innovation capacity – new knowledge
• Digital photography
• Mobile applications
• Social networks
• iPad
• Interactive applications
• Etc....

9. Total budget
ICT 37 – 2014/15: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
(implemented through the SME instrument)
Phases
2015
Budget (М€) Expected funded projects
Phase 1 4,5 90
Phase 2 39,6 26
The budget available for phase 1 and phase 2 will be divided equally between each
cut-off date

10. 7 main elements required to be in the proposal:
WHYWHY (1)(1) WHATWHAT (2)(2) FROM - TOFROM - TO (3)(3)
ICT 37 – 2014/15: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
(implemented through the SME instrument)

11. HOWHOW (4)(4) WHOMWHOM (5)(5) WHENWHEN (6)(6)
HOW MUCH (7)
ICT 37 – 2014/15: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
(implemented through the SME instrument)
Main objective of the proposal- „Real Business Plan“
And the answer of –
„What I need for commercialization of the innovation?“
7 main elements required to be in the proposal:

12. SME INST – where to apply?
ICT 37 – 2014/15: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
(implemented through the SME instrument)
OnlineOnline • By yourself, in English
• Assessors – independent experts from different countries
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.

13. SME INST – how to apply (1)?
ICT 37 – 2014/15: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
(implemented through the SME instrument)
RegistrationRegistration
PersonalPersonal
informationinformation
CompanyCompany
informationinformation
LEARLEAR
informationinformation

14. SME INST – how to apply (2)?
ICT 37 – 2014/15: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme
(implemented through the SME instrument)
PIC codePIC code
SearchSearch

15. Call for experts
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/experts/index.htm
H2020 Participant Portal
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.html
SME instrument in participant portal
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/ftags/s
H2020 on line manual (submission templates to come)
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/funding/guide.html
FAQs: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/sme-instrument-0
Useful links
SME Inst – work program
http://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2014/03/Budgetinformatie%20H2020%20MKB
%20instrument%20(Engels).pdf

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