Building Research Resilience Through International Cooperation: The Example of Horizon 2020
Presenters:
- Mary Kavanagh, Delegation of the European Union
- Cole Donovan, U.S. Department of State
- Victoria Bodnorova, EURAXESS North America
- Claire Chen, National Council of University Research Administrators
Key points from the session. We learned:
H2020
- Goals of international cooperation: identify talent, tackle global challenges, identify business opportunities.
- H2020 is the biggest multi-national and multi-lateral research program in the world.
DOS
- Transatlantic enterprise is valued at $800 billion US and comprised of federal and philanthropic funding.
- US-Ireland cooperative supports simultaneous proposals submitted from US and Ireland to NSF or NIH; funded projects based on US review are then supported by each country (to their resident researchers).
EURAXESS North America
- Three mechanisms:
- EURAXESS (jobs & funding; partnering tool & hosting (good for developing consortia); information & assistance; EURAXESS worldwide).
- Marie Sklodowka-Curie Actions (innovative training methods; individual fellowships; research and innovation staff exchange; co-funding of regional, national and international programs).
- European Research Council (starting grants; consolidator grants; advanced grants; synergy grants).
- Established to support researchers moving from overseas to the EU; over 200 centers in every European country; all services are free of charge. Euraxess.org – “assistance and support” section.
NCURA
- BILAT USA 4.0 has four goals: facilitate pilot dialog; foster transatlantic partnerships; identify emerging research topics; engage the private sector. Has 6 US partners and 10 EU partners.
- Hosted resources: report on US funding opportunities for EU researchers; database on funding opportunities; terminology guide; research connection symposium at NCURA annual meeting (free and public event).
What did you hear at this presentation that surprised you?
- DOS may have international opportunities that are well aligned to research; don’t overlook DOS as a funding source.
- Almost 1000 applications for US Nationals to the Marie Sklodosdka-Curie with 18% success rate for US Nationals (versus 13% overall for EURAXESS).
What resources did you discover at this presentation?
- Horizon 2020 handouts (can be requested from Mary Kavanagh)
- Euraxess
- EU-US Science and Technology Agreement
- BILAT USA 4.0
- ENRICH
What was the most interesting question asked by an audience member, and what was the presenter(s)’ response?
- Q: Is the “implementing arrangement” the name of the funding opportunity?
- A: Using the terminology “invoke the US-EU implementing arrangement” for the EU partner should be sufficient.
- Q: How should an ADR advise US faculty to become involved in EU opportunities when there is not an existing US opportunity? Do they find an EU partner?
- A-Kavanagh: EU funds health research overall and developing countries directly. Existing US funding can be leveraged, rather than pursuing new funds.
- A-Donovan: NSF is exploring the convergence model as an attempt to increase transdisciplinary work, largely to involve more social scientists.
What else from this session should NORDP members know?
US Department of State wants to assist with connecting with European partners – US-EU implementing partnerships that enable work with EU partners without H2020 eligibility; EU partner must invoke the benefit.
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