Support for National Contact Points

Topic Description

Facilitate trans-national co-operation between National Contact Points (NCPs) within the Industrial leadership Part with a view to identifying and sharing good practices and raising the general standard of support to programme applicants.

Support will be given to a consortium of formally nominated NCPs in the area of LEIT-NMBP. The activities will be tailored according to the nature of the theme, and the priorities of the NCPs concerned. Various mechanisms may be included, such as benchmarking, joint workshops, enhanced cross-border brokerage events, training, and twinning schemes. Special attention will be given to helping less experienced NCPs rapidly acquire the know-how accumulated in other countries.

The focus throughout should be on issues specific to the Industrial Leadership part, with the possible inclusion of interdisciplinary approaches, e.g. by involving Social Sciences and Humanities. It should not duplicate actions foreseen in the NCP network for quality standards and horizontal issues under ‘Science with and for Society’.

The proposal consortium can include only NCPs from EU Member States and Associated Countries, who have been officially appointed by the relevant national authorities. The consortium should have a good representation of experienced and less experienced NCPs.

Submission of a single proposal is encouraged. NCPs from EU Member States or Associated Countries choosing not to participate as a member of the consortium should be identified and the reason explained in the proposal. These NCPs are nevertheless invited and encouraged to participate in the project activities (e.g. workshops).

NCPs from third countries who have been officially appointed by the relevant authorities are also welcome to participate in the project activities.

The costs incurred by the consortium for participation of officially appointed NCPs from EU Member States and Associated countries not participating in the consortium, and from officially appointed NCPs from third countries on the official list in part A of the General Annexes of the General Work Programme, e.g. travel costs paid by the consortium, may be included in the estimated budget and be eligible for funding by the Commission.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 250 000 and 500 000 would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting another amount.

No more than one action will be funded.

• An improved and professionalised NCP service across Europe, thereby helping simplify access to Horizon 2020 calls, lowering the entry barriers for newcomers, and raising the average quality of proposals submitted.
• A more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe.