Success Stories Swiss Projects and Partnerships in the 7th European Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)
Issue 2014 To obtain more copies of « Success Stories» please contact info @ euresearch.ch
editorial
dear reader, This brochure provides an overview of some of the Success Stories from Swiss participa tion in the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) between 2007 and 2013. Switzerland, as a non-EU Member State participates in FP7 as a so-called Associated Country. The European Commission (EC) allocates funding through competitions based on criteria of excellence. This, combined with the many outstanding proposals submitted by Swiss participants, explains why EU research funding is now the second most important institutional source of R&D&I funding in Switzerland after the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). The following pages contain a selection of FP7 Success Stories where Swiss partici pants have gained funding for a range of FP7 projects. They are classified according to the
3 key objectives of the new European Frame work Programme for Research and Innovation – Horizon 2020: - Excellent Science - Competitive Industries - Societal Challenges These Success Stories provide a glimpse into Switzerland’s extensive, active, effective and strong participation in FP7, which in fact is one big success story. Enjoy your reading!
Peter Erni Director Euresearch
Table of content Project/ FP7 Programme/ Company Name Innovation
Horizon 2020: Excellent Science
Horizon 2020: Competitive Industries
Horizon 2020: Tackling Societal Challenges
Page
COMET ERC MININEXACT ERC PICS ERC PROPEREMO ERC COFIT Marie Curie COFUND ITN-LCG Marie Curie ITN LEAP Marie Curie IAPP P-CUBE Infrastructure COSIT FET
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
ECOMATION Factory of the future Qcoala Factory of the future ELSA Space KHRESMOI ICT MOBIO ICT Ganser Innovation Ecolistec Innovation Hydroplant Innovation Body-on-a-Chip ICT Health CAPPELLA Health PROHIBIT Health MEMSTICK Health FLUINHIBIT Health SLIC Health RADAR FAFB FLUIDGLASS Energy MacSheep Energy SOM SSH BRIDGE Security HEROIC Environment EnviroGRIDS Environment
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
Chapter 1
horizon 2020 – Excellent Science These FP7 Success Stories are classified according to the new European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation – Horizon 2020. Supporting our excellent science base by • supporting the world’s leading scientists in blue sky research • providing training and career development opportunities • developing future and emerging technologies • strengthening EU research infrastructures
H2020 - Excellent Science
Time and money for in-depth research Michael Bronstein from the University of Lugano has received one of the prestigious ERC starting grants. The grant allows him to continue the work he has done so far – but with more financial means, more time, and more freedom. Michael Bronstein received the
Not doing miracles anymore
starting grant of the European
Michael
Research Council (ERC) about a
experience
year ago. “That grant is an
research
extremely
(R&D)
competitive,
and
Bronstein in and and
has
also
industrial development
working
methods for the detection of similarity between
texts,
multimedia
images,
documents.
videos
or
Traditional
approaches to the detection of similarity concentrate
on
distances
between
parts of an object. COMET, in contrast, aims to build a theoretical base that can accommodate broader notions of similarity that works across different modalities (sound, image, text, for
startups.
he says. Indeed, in 2012 there
the difference between that
were 4741 applications, and
and the work he does now: “In
image according to a tag query) or
only
were
a startup, you have little money
medical imaging (aligning pictures taken
successful. This competitiveness
and little time – with which you
by CT and MRI so that they show similar
was one reason for Michael
are expected to do miracles”,
parts of the body in a similar size and
Prof. Dr Michael Bronstein
he says. Now that he is working
COMET Coordinator
from a similar point of view).
for the University of Lugano
of
them
Bronstein to apply.
explains
The project COMET aims at improving
prestigious funding scheme”,
566
Bronstein
with
ABOUT THE PROJECT
example). Possible applications include multimedia search (like retrieving an
and has received the grant,
There was also another reason: “While I also considered other
Michael Bronstein divides his work into three
funding opportunities, the starting grant has just a different scale: it really allows you to do research on fundamental things.”
“The starting grant really allows you to do research on fundamental things.”
The long-term funding (up to 5 years) and
parts: theoretical models, computational algorithms
and
applications.
“We
have
developed efficient algorithms that work well in some important applications like multi-
the quite generous amount of money - up
things are different. There is more time to
modal similarity-preserving hashing. But
to 1.5 million euro in Bronstein’s case -
devote to more fundamental research, rather
what is really missing is some broader
allows him to work not only on applications
than
unifying vision that explains the relations
but on theory as well.
performance results.
running
after
benchmarks
and
between different methods and why some of the work better than others”, Bronstein says.
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
COMET – foundations of COmputational similarity geoMETtry
Research Area:
Industrial Manufacture
Organisation:
University of Lugano (USI)
Start Date - End Date:
01.10.2012 – 30.09.2017
Duration:
5 years
Project Cost:
1.5 million Euros
Project Funding:
1.5 million Euros
Project Reference:
307047
Contract Type:
ERC Starting Grant
Disadvantages? None! When asked whether he thinks there are any disadvantages of this kind of financing, Michael Bronstein gives a quick answer: “No, not that I am aware of.” For his university, the starting grant is a success as well: “it is an important appreciation that confirms its ability to attract excellent researchers from all over the world”, as the university writes in a media release.
9
H2020 - Excellent Science
Long-Term Research Funding thanks to a ERC grant Michalis Vlachos was awarded a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). These Grants support emerging scientists to establish a team and to conduct independent research.
ABOUT THE PROJECT Today,
data
is
increasingly
stored
in the ‘cloud’. During this process it undergoes a number of modifications: anonymization,
watermarking
or
even lossy compression (e.g. jpeg). In the “Exact Mining from In-Exact
The ERC was established by the
Long-term research horizon
European
and limited administration
Commission
to
support research leaders who
burden
are
a
The main reason for applying
proper research team and to
for the ERC Starting Grant was
start conducting independent
that
research in Europe. The success
long-term EU funding scheme.
rate
about
in
to
the
establish
Starting
it
offers
the
most
Grant
Data” (MININEXACT) project Dr Vlachos studies
how
to
support
common
data transformations in a way that the mining capacity of the original is still retained even after it is modified. For example, if a hospitalanonymizes medical
data,
some
of
original
information
may
even
the
that
to
extent
the
be it
lost is
no
“It is one of the few EU funding
longer useful for statistical analyses.
cent.
schemes that does not involve
The ultimate goal is to understand
Dr Vlachos’ application was one
multiple partners, which makes
the
administration simpler,” says
data
Dr Vlachos.
them as variants of the same basic
competition
around 12 per-
of this success. Dr Vlachos applied for the grant because “it
Dr Michalis Vlachos IBM Research – Zurich ERC Principal Investigator
provided the most long-term
between
transformations
by
common viewing
operation: addition or removal of noise.
research horizon, and promised the greatest independence. ”This was the first time in Switzerland that this grant was given to a researcher hosted by an industrial
connection
laboratory. Dr Vlachos
“It was the funding opportunity that provided the most long-term research horizon, and promised the most freedom and independence.”
learned of the ERC grant from a collabora-
the team to focus on the science”, Dr Vlachos says. Good for employer and employee
tor of Euresearch who presented various
The administrative burden is quite minimal
Applicants for ERC Starting Grants need the
EU funding options at ”IBM Research – Zu-
too: “The institution needs to file a financial
support of a “host institution” that can be any
rich, where he works.
progress report every year and half, allowing
research entity, like a university or, as in the case of IBM Research – Zurich, an
FACTS AND FIGURES
industrial laboratory.
Project Name:
Exact Mining from In-Exact Data (MININEXACT)
Research Area:
Industrial Manufacture
Principal Investigator:
Dr Michalis Vlachos
Host Institution:
IBM Research – Zurich
Start Date - End Date:
01.04.2011 – 31.03.2016 (60 months)
Project Cost:
1.5 million Euros
Project Funding:
1.5 million Euros
Project Reference:
259569
Contract Type:
ERC Starting Grant
For Dr Vlachos working within an industrial lab, as opposed to a university, brings the advantage that it is easier to commercialize the results of his research and thus achieve greater impact. He mentions that for IBM the advantage is that they receive funding for forward-looking research and that they are able to secure some of the intellectual property for the results of this work.
10
H2020 - Excellent Science
Support for up-and-coming research leaders 1.5 million Euro for a duration of 5 years: this is what a “Starting Grant” of the European Research Council is. Many apply, Andrea Alimonti from the Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana (IOSI) succeeded, also thanks to the right profile. When Andrea Almonti from the
does Andrea Alimonti, who has
IOSI was awarded the grant in
experience both in basic re-
2011, it was the first time that
search and as an oncologist.
such a grant went to Ticino, and
ABOUT THE PROJECT The project PICS therapy (Pten loss Induced Cellular Senescence therapy) aims to find a new kind of cancer therapy,
especially
against
prostate
cancer. The
therapy
protein
that
focuses regulates
on
PTEN,
cell
a
growth
and division. If a cell has not enough of this protein, for example 80 % of normal, the cell grows and divides beyond control - which means cancer.
rare
Of course, this alone would not
occasions that it goes to a
be enough to get a starting
Paradoxically, however, if the level drops
researcher hosted by a non-uni-
grant:
“targets
to 0 %, the cell reacts by “getting old”: it
versity researcher lab. Part of
promising researchers who have
does not grow and divide anymore at all.
this
the proven potential of becoming
it
was
one
success
of
was
the
the
right
profile of both researcher and host institution.
Dr Andrea Alimonti ERC Starting Grantee
the
scheme
independent research leaders”,
PICS therapy screens several thousands
as it says on the website of the
of compounds that potentiate this effect
European Research Council.
on cancer cells and, eventually, will try
From lab to clinic
selected compounds in clinical tests.
The project of Andrea Alimonti is looking for new compounds to fight cancer and then aims to try the compounds in clinical tests. Finding the right compounds re-
“Thanks to the grant I can work for five years without too much worrying about funding.”
quires a research lab and basic research,
Recruiting an international team The
1.5-million
grant
enables
Andrea
Alimonti not only to pay the salaries of an
the clinical tests require hospitals and on-
Obviously, Andrea Alimonti was deemed
international team of researchers, it also
cologists. Being part of an association of
promising enough to support his work with
helped him to get the right people for the
regional hospitals, the Istituto Oncologico
1.5 million Euro coming from the European
project, as the grant stands for good quality
della Svizzera Italiana offers both, and so
Commission.
and financial stability.
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
Long-term financial stability and leeway is PICS therapy (Pten loss Induced Cellular Senescence therapy)
European Research Council:
ERC-SG-LS7 Diagnositc tools, therapies and public health
Principal Investigator:
Dr Andrea Alimonti
Organisation:
Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana
Start Date - End Date:
01.04.2011 – 31.03.2016
Duration:
60 months
Project Cost:
1 500 000 Euros
Contract Type:
ERC Starting Grants
also the main advantage of the grant in the eyes of Andrea Alimonti: “Thanks to the grant I can work for five years without too much worrying about funding, and there is enough money to realize the ideas of my team and myself.” Just to be complete, one has to ask: Are there any drawbacks of the grant? Andrea Alimonti’s answer: “Erm, no, actually, not so much.”
11
H2020 - Excellent Science
Challenge successfully tackled Prof. Klaus Scherer has successfully applied for an ERC Advanced Grant. This grant funds research of experienced researchers with up to 3.5 million euro over 5 years. However, “the reason for applying was not all about the money”, says Scherer. “There were several possibili-
find new perspectives, formulate
ties to fund this project. What
new hypotheses and concepts”.
made the ERC Advanced Grant particularly interesting was
When Scherer got the message
that anyone having such a
that
grant was apparently going in
accepted, he felt excited thinking
the right direction”, says Klaus
of the interesting research that
Scherer. The ERC Advanced
now lays ahead of him and satisfied
Grant is a highly competitive
that, apparently, he actually was
scheme, and so it was the
going in the right direction.
challenge
which
attracted
him, not only the money.
his
proposal
had
been
Dr Klaus Scherer PROPEREMO Coordinator
Drafting proposals can be fun This challenge meant a lot of work for Klaus Scherer. Never before had he compiled lists of quotations and publications as needed for
“What made the ERC Advanced Grant particularly interesting was that anyone having such a grant was apparently going in the right direction”.
the proposal, and he was not very used to do
ABOUT THE PROJECT PROPEREMO (Production and perception of
emotion:
An
affective
sciences
approach) investigates the production and perception of emotion. Unlike most theories in this field, the conceptual framework of Klaus Scherer advocates a componential
approach
to
emotion:
events – such as an encounter with a bear in the forest – are appraised on a subconscious level (could this encounter be dangerous?), this leads to reactions (production of adrenaline, trembling), which leads to people becoming conscious of their emotions. Others might see expressions of these emotions and try to interpret them. All these stages influence each other. The goal of PROPEREMO is to empirically prove this model, refine it, and better understand the underlying mechanisms.
considered to be interesting and important in the project”, says Scherer.
a lot of self-marketing. Drafting the proposal,
The reviewers of his proposal did not only
however, was not only a lot of tedious list-
accept his proposal, they also provided
Visibility increased
compiling: “It was also fun”, says Scherer,
useful feedback. “The feedback I received
Thanks to the ERC Advanced Grant, Klaus
“because I had to think about my research,
was helpful because I could see what others
Scherer’s research has become more visible than before. He could choose collaborators for his project among a high number of
FACTS AND FIGURES
applicants. Two postdocs and three doctoral students were selected.
Project Name:
PROPEREMO Production and perception of emotion
Being
Research Area:
Social Sciences and Humanities
Switzerland who have received an ERC
Coordinator:
Dr Klaus Scherer
Advanced Grant in the field of social sciences
Organisation:
Université de Genève
and humanities, he is now considered not
Start Date - End Date
2009/03/01 - 2014/02/28
only to be an expert on emotions, but also an
Duration:
60 months
expert on drafting ERC Advanced Grant
Project Cost:
2.37 million Euros
proposals: “A lot of people asked me for
Project Funding:
2.37 million Euros
advice on how to draft such a proposal or
Contract type:
ERC Advanced Grant
even asked me for the proposal itself”.
FP7 Reference Number:
230331
12
one
of
the
few
researchers
in
H2020 - Excellent Science
Additional funding for fellowship programmes COFIT is a fellowship programme that offers generous conditions to researchers: a secure income, academic freedom and many opportunities for career development.
ABOUT THE PROJECT COFIT is a fellowship programme of the World Trade Institute in Bern that is partly (40 per cent) funded by a European funding scheme called COFUND. Fellows work in one or more of the institute’s six work packages: 1. Trade Governance,
The
fellowship
researchers from all over the
programme
2. Preferential Trade, 3. Innovation and Creativity, 4. Trade Development and
Trade
European Union (the funding
Institute in Bern (WTI) sounds
scheme would also allow for
almost too good to be true:
fellows from all over the world).
researchers can pursue their
However, this third point is only
research project at the institute
of
without restrictions while at the
researchers are attracted. This
same time receiving a salary
was the main challenge during
Successful applicants have the freedom
equivalent to regular University
the
the
to work independently at the WTI and
of Bern employees of similar
programme: “It is vital and
receive support in developing both their
experience and profile. During
rather difficult to select the
research skills and their career.
COFIT
of
the
World
this time they can also utilise the infrastructure and network
Dr Susan Brown World Trade Institute COFIT Scientific Coordinator
of the institute along with
any
right
use
first
if
the
phase
people”,
says
right
of
Migration, 5. Trade and Climate Change and 6. Impact Assessment. Candidates are assessed on the basis of the quality of their research proposal, its alignment with the work already being conducted in-house, as well as their research record.
Susan
Brown, scientific coordinator at
The main learning so far
the WTI.
COFIT fellows benefit from being integrated
various offers for career develop-
into a research group that meets regularly,
ment.
“European coffers will be an increasingly important source of our research funding in future.”
The benefits for the institute What then, is in it for the WTI? First, 40
offers support with research planning and provides opportunities to present informally and organise workshops. In addition, fellows have access to various courses, seminars and
percent of the programme’s costs are
Selection is all the more important as the
conferences at the WTI and the University of
covered by European funding. Second, the
fellows, once appointed, are so free in their
Bern. The WTI learned that these opportuni-
programme reinforces the international
work.
ties “hold relatively more appeal for the less
contacts of the WTI. Third, it attracts
experienced researcher”, says Susan Brown. More experienced researchers are more
FACTS AND FIGURES
likely to treat their fellowship as basically a “sabbatical”. Thus, in the second phase of
Project Name:
COFIT (COFUND International Trade)
Organisation:
World Trade Institute (WTI), Bern
Start Date - End Date:
31.01.2011 – 30.01.2015
Duration:
48 months
Project Cost:
1 171 898 Euros
Project Funding:
468 759 Euros
Project Reference:
246005
Contract Type:
Co-funding of Regional, National and International Programmes (COFUND)
the programme, the WTI will focus on researchers with less than 4 years of postPhD experience. COFIT was the first experience of the WTI with a European-funded project. This first experience was all the more valuable as the project is only the beginning of a more long-term strategy: “European coffers will be an increasingly important source of our research funding in the future.”
13
H2020 - Excellent Science
How language influences how we think of gender – and vice versa “Our new boss arrives tomorrow. Make sure you are around while she is here.” Did you hesitate when you read “she” because you first had a man in mind? Yes? No? Why? Such questions are investigated by the project ITN LCG regarding several countries and languages.
ABOUT THE PROJECT The
Marie
Network
Curie
Initial
“Language,
Gender” (ITN-LCG)
Training
Cognition,
and
investigates
the
various relationships between language and gender representations. Does, for example,
Basque
have
certain
linguistic features that lead to different What we think may influence
programme”, says Sabine Scz-
gender-related representations than, for
language and language may
esny, coordinator of the project.
example,
influence what we think, that
English
does?
How
are
language use and language policies
much is clear. What is not so
Don’t just wait for calls
clear is how this exactly happens
The advantage of the Initial
gender-equality of different countries?
and how certain features of
Training
its
How do language, individual attitudes
languages and language use
“bottom-up approach”: research-
and social behavior influence each other
influence
ers
research
(for example, is a “Technikerin” (a female
behavior
projects without having to wait
technician) considered less capable than
towards the sexes, and how
for a specific call asking for a
a “Techniker” (a male technician)? And
gender equality can be promot-
specific kind of research topic. It
how are issues of gender-fair language
societies,
gender
equality
social
in
can
programme propose
related to socio-economic rankings of is
ed through gender-fair language
Prof. Dr Sabine Sczesny
also promotes international and
dealt with, for example, in textbooks or
use. These are the areas that the
ITN-LCG Coordinator
interdisciplinary
communications from governments?
and
researchers in the Marie Curie Action - ITN LCG project investigate. And they do so across several languages, cultures and countries: “Lisa von Stock-
mobility
collaboration of
early-career
“The networking effects are extremely High risk, high reward valuable to us.”
The odds of successful application under the
hausen and me had the idea to launch an
researchers: the ten partners of the project
Initial Training programme are somewhat
interdisciplinary and international project
have to each employ researchers from out-
intimidating: about 10 percent.
in this field; we asked Euresearch about
side their own country. The project attracted
funding possibilities and together found
early-career
the
Europe but from other continents as well.
‘Networks
for
Initial
Training’
researchers
not
only
from
However, the rewards of being successful are considerable: “The funding has enabled us to set up a truly international project with professional management. This allows us to
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
focus on research and training ”, says Sabine Initial Training Network – Language, Cognition, and
Sczesny.
Gender (ITN-LCG) Coordinating Institution:
University of Bern
And the final advantage of this kind of
Coordinator:
Prof. Dr Sabine Sczesny
project:
Training supervisor:
Prof. Dr Lisa von Stockhausen, Uni of Duisburg-Essen
extremely valuable to us. Even if we had not
Project Manager:
Dr Rachel Jossen, University of Bern
been successful with the application, we
Number of Partners:
10
would have been satisfied because of all the
Start Date – End Date:
01.10.2009 – 30.09.2013 (48 months)
good contacts we established with other
Project Cost:
4 106 379 Euros
researchers within and outside of Europe.”
Contract Type:
Marie Curie Actions: Initial Training Network (ITN)
So, what are you waiting for?
14
“The
networking
effects
are
H2020 - Excellent Science
“Funded by the EU”: a seal that opens doors “Odyssey” is what comes to mind when one hears the story of how the LEAP-project grew from idea to implementation – including, fortunately, a happy ending for the crew, ETH Zurich and four enterprises.
ABOUT THE PROJECT LEAP stands for “Lean Development – new principles for innovation management and a more time and cost efficient development of novel products”. The ideal that “lean” management aims for: the right production process for the right
The aim of the LEAP project is to
Soon they found that it is not
investigate how to increase
implemented at all, so they
efficiency
product
wanted to share their knowl-
development processes. To this
edge of the concept with Euro-
end,
the swiss Center for
pean companies, start pilot
Automotive Research of ETH
projects and evaluate them to
Zurich
four
see whether, when and how the
from
concept could be put into prac-
cept with four automotive companies:
Switzerland, Liechtenstein and
tice in Europe.
Behr GmbH, Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH,
Germany. Such collaboration
The team applied for funding
Bystronic Laser AG and ThyssenKrupp
between
under the “Industry Academia
Presta AG. Together, they find ways to
Partnerships
Pathways”
apply lean management principles, origi-
scheme. Their first application
nating from Japan, in the development of
was rejected. A revised applica-
new products in Europe.
in
works
automotive
tions
new
with
companies
research
and
organiza-
enterprises
financed
by
the
“Industry
Academia
is
European
Dr Anja Schulze ETH Zurich LEAP Coordinator
Partner-
and
product at the right time, satisfying consumers’ needs, without waste, without glitches or redundancies and with collaborators who continuously improve the process and product. The swiss Center for Automotive Research of ETH Zurich shares its knowledge of this con-
tion, then, was accepted in
ships and Pathways” funding scheme. The start of the project was less
2008 – just as the crisis hit the automotive
than easy, but now yields distinct benefits.
industry.
A difficult journey Initially, the ETH team wanted to investigate how the concept of Lean Manage-
“It is amazing how this “funded by the EU”-seal helps to open doors.”
time of crisis, and the European Commission had to be convinced of the necessity and quality of the new partners. After all of this, an administrative hurdle concerning employment contracts and taxes almost stopped the
ment is implemented in product develop-
Having other priorities, three of four partners
project in the last minute. Fortunately, this
ment in Europe.
retreated. New partners had to be found at a
hurdle was overcome with the help of Euresearch, and the project could finally start.
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
LEAP (Lean Development – new principles for innovation management and a more time and cost efficient development of novel products)
Marie Curie Action:
FP7-PEOPLE-IAPP-2008 Marie Curie Action “Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways”
Coordinator:
Dr Anja Schulze
Organisation:
ETH Zurich
Start Date - End Date:
2010/01/01 – 2013/12/31
Duration:
48 months
Project Cost:
913 061 Euros
The benefits “It is amazing how this ‘funded by the EU’seal helps to open doors”, says the project’s coordinator Anja Schulze. Not only, but also thanks to this “seal of quality” the ETH team was able to visit and talk to people who rarely give interviews and to invite excellent experts for workshops and conferences. The companies, on the other hand, gain access to the ETH team’s knowledge and extend their professional network and expertise.
15
H2020 - Excellent Science
High-tech infrastructure becomes available to all Producing specific types of proteins and analyzing their structure on an atomic level profits greatly from high-tech infrastructures. Only a few institutions have such infrastructures, many more would need it. P-CUBE tackles this problem: it shares infrastructures and the expertise how to operate it. The three institutions involved
programs”, says Markus Grütter,
in P-CUBE not only share their
the project coordinator from the
high-tech
University of Zurich.
their
infrastructures,
know-how
experience
and
with
P-CUBE
(Infrastructure
Production
for
Platforms)
Protein
involves
three
partner institutions, which operate the most
advanced
producing structure
infrastructures
proteins, on
crystallizing
an
analyzing
atomic
proteins
so
for their
level
and
that
their
structure can be investigated. Researchers have to apply to obtain access and to use the infrastructures for free. P-CUBE gets funding from the European Commission
their
for
A big demand
those
ABOUT THE PROJECT
offering
service,
know-how
and
technologies and for improving and
scientists who need it, they
Clearly, P-CUBE meets the needs of
also teach them how to set up
researchers in the field of structural
methodologies at their home
biology. From April 2009 (the start
laboratory. But helping others
of the project) to April 2010,
capacity as far as the contract with the
in their research instead of
P-CUBE has received applications
European Commission is concerned – and
from
that after only one of four years that the
doing research of one’s own? Not exactly the kind of project
Prof. Markus Grütter P-CUBE Coordinator
a researchers would like to participate in. This is where the project’s second part comes in: the refinement and optimization of the technologies to improve the infrastructures offered.
90
researchers
from
21
“The EU facilitates the optimization and improvement of our methods a lot – without the funding we would not be half as fast as we are now.”
optimizing the infrastructures.
project is planned for”, says Markus Grütter. A win-win situation P-CUBE is not only important for external researchers who use the infrastructures of P-CUBE, it is also crucial for the P-CUBE partners: “So far, the work in P-CUBE has
“These
challenges
importance
for
are
of
participating
particular
countries to use its infrastructure. “Many of
yielded great findings which will also result
in
our platforms have almost reached their full
in
such
publications”,
says
Markus
Grütter.
Today’s success did not come for free,
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
though: “We couldn’t rely on any experience
P-CUBE – Infrastructure for Protein Production Platforms
Research Area:
INFRA-2008-1.1.1 Bottom-up approach: Integrating Activities in all scientific and technological fields
Coordinating Institution:
University of Zurich
Coordinator:
Prof. Markus Grütter
Number of Partners
3 (DE/UK/CH)
Start Date - End Date
2009/04/01 – 2013/03/31
Duration
48 months
Project Cost:
7.80 million Euros
Project Funding:
6.60 million Euros
Project Reference:
227764 (FP7 - Research for Infrastructures)
16
since P-CUBE was a pilot project. The drafting of the proposal therefore turned out to be quite demanding and the bureaucracy we had to face was a real challenge”, says Grütter. Although
this
phase
is
over,
he
still
appreciates the help from Euresearch, which supports P-CUBE in administrative issues. Now that all is up and running, Markus Grütter is happy with the project. “The EU facilitates the optimization and improvement of our methods a lot – without the funding we would not be half as fast as we are now.”
H2020 H2020 -- Excellent Competitive Science Industries
European Funding: “Funded by the for an opportunity EU”: sealMedium that Smalla and opens doors Enterprises Rainbow Photonics is ato small with nine “Odyssey” is what AG comes mindcompany when one hears employees, known a producer of devices based on the story of howasthe LEAP-project grew from terahertz technology. At least two facts about the idea to implementation – including, fortunately, a company are unusual. First, it coordinates a big project happy ending for theUnion crew,(EU) ETH Zurich four funded by the European – which theand EU would enterprises. like to see more. Second, it is led by women – which is rather in The aim of exceptional the LEAP project is to
the high-tech industry. Soon they found that it is not
investigate how to increase
implemented at all, so they
efficiency in new Good for business
product
wanted tolike share theirPhotonics knowlof an SME Rainbow
development this For Rainbow processes. Photonics To AG,
edge theopportunity concept with AG isofan toEuroprofit
end, the swiss Center the COSIT-project is anfor
pean companies, pilot from the expertisestart of people
Automotive of ETH opportunity Research to conduct
projects andthe evaluate them to who know markets’ needs
Zurich workswill ultimately with four research that
see how the andwhether, what when the and “real-world”
automotive companies from lead to a new saleable product
concept could put research into prac-is problems are be when
Switzerland, Liechtenstein and – research that would not be
tice in Europe. implemented.
Germany. Such collaboration possible without external
The team applied for funding
between research organizafunding: “We could not bear
under How tothe get“Industry funding Academia
tions enterprises the costand of two years of is financed by the research relying solelyEuropean on the
Dr Anja Schulze ETH Zurich LEAP Coordinator Dr Carolina Medrano Coordinator COSIT project
Partnerships and byPathways” COSIT is funded the EU’s scheme. first application Future Their and Emerging was rejected. A revised applicaTechnologies (FET)-Open
ABOUT THE PROJECT LEAP stands for “Lean Development – COSIT (Compact High Brilliance Single new principles for innovation managefrequency THz Source) aims at developing ment andthat a more and efficient a device can time detect thecost tiniest flaws development of for novel products”. The in materials used medical applications, idealexample that “lean” management aims for: for knee implants. Companies the right production process for the right producing such materials need to detect product at thesmaller right time, irregularities than satisfying 10 µm (= con0.01 sumers’ needs, without mm) in less thanwithout 100 ms waste, per pixel. Such glitches or redundancies andextent with colirregularities can grow to an that laborators continuously improve the implantwho has to be replaced. So far the process and product. The– which, swiss materials are checked manually Centerfrom for being Automotive of ETH apart costly, Research is not completely
Zurich shares its knowledge of this conreliable. cept with four automotive companies: funding scheme. Photonics Behr GmbH, BroseRainbow Fahrzeugteile GmbH,AG learned of this scheme during an Euresearch Bystronic Laser AG and ThyssenKrupp event andAG. by an e-mail from officer Presta Together, they an find waysintothe EUapply Commission. “At first principles, we were not sure lean management origiwhether it was rightinfor company.ofBut nating from Japan, theour development
tion, then, was accepted in
having the information from Euresearch, we new products in Europe. decided to submit the requested 5-page
research for two years that will industry.
Medrano. Bothand thethe 5-page proposal and the time of crisis, European Commission
lead to the development, enginee“It is amazing how this “funded ring and marketing of a new by the EU”-seal helps to open product.” doors.”
following one of were had to bedetailed convinced theaccepted. necessity and
ment is implemented in product develop-
Having other priorities, three of four partners
work is one thing; do the rest, project in the lastmaking minute.others Fortunately, this
ment in Europe.
retreated. New partners had to be found at a
is quitewas another”, says Carolina The hurdle overcome with the Medrano. help of Eure-
“Industry Academia expected revenue of thePartner-
ships and Pathways” Carolina funding Medrano, resulting product”,says scheme. of theasproject was less who leadsThe thestart company CEO together than easy, but now yields distinct benefits. with Mojca Jazbinsek (CTO) and Blanca Ruiz (Product Manager). A difficult journey Initially, ETH team wanted to investiGood forthe research gate how the concept of Lean ManageFor the European Union (EU), the involvement
FACTS AND FIGURES FACTSName: AND FIGURES Project
Project Name: Research Area: Marie Curie Action: Coordinator: Organisation: Coordinator: Start Date - End Date Organisation: Duration Start Date - End Date: Project Cost / Funding: Duration: Contract type: Project Cost:
“The project toautomotive conduct 2008 – just as theenables crisis hitus the
proposal with our idea”, says Carolina
quality of the new partners. After all of this, Finding reliable partners an administrative hurdle concerning employ“As a contracts project coordinator, doingstopped one’s own ment and taxes almost the
partners’ reliability andcould quality of start. work is search, and the project finally COSIT – Compact High Brilliance Single THz –Source LEAP (Leanfrequency Development new principles for innovaFP7 – Cooperation Information Com tion management and a more– time and costand efficient munication – Future and development of novel Technologies products) emerging technologies (FET)-open FP7-PEOPLE-IAPP-2008 Marie Curie Action Dr Carolina Medrano and Pathways” “Industry-Academia Partnerships Rainbow Photonics AG Dr Anja Schulze ETH Zurich2012/01/01 – 2013/12/31 24 –months 2010/01/01 2013/12/31 48 months1.28 million Euros / 966 868 Euros FP7: Specific Targeted Research or 913 061 Euros Innovation Project (STREP)
key. Luckily, as the coordinating institution, Rainbow Photonics AG was able to select the The benefits project partners according to the needed “It is amazing how this ‘funded by the EU’expertise: Metz University (France), Institut seal helps to open doors”, says the project’s Jozef Stefan Anja Ljubljana (Slovenia), andbut CICESE coordinator Schulze. Not only, also Centro todethisInvestigación Científica de thanks “seal of quality” the ETH yteam Educación Superior de talk Ensenada (Mexico). was able to visit and to people who “Thesegive are interviews institutionsand with high excellent scientific rarely toainvite reputation doing excellent research work experts for workshops and conferences. The known internationally and to says companies, on the other hand, gainus”, access to Carolina Medrano. Now within frame of the ETH team’s knowledge and the extend their this project they will and work together during professional network expertise. two years, starting in January 2012.
17
Chapter 2
horizon 2020 – Competitive industries These FP7 Success Stories are classified according to the new European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation – Horizon 2020. Building industrial leadership in Europe by • boosting job creation • supporting innovation and increasing market uptake • stimulating private investment in R & I • strengthening participation of innovative SMEs
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Making factories more energy efficient – and one’s university better known The goal of the project Factory-Ecomation is to increase
ABOUT THE PROJECT
the energy efficiency and reduce emissions of factories.
The
Apart from contributing to a more sustainable industry,
project
Factory-Ecomation
aims
to conceive, define and demonstrate a
new
kind
of
factory,
the motivation for the coordinating “Scuola Universitaria Professionale Della Svizzera Italiana” (SUPSI) is to be
general have the same importance as
at the frontline of research networks.
from
reducing
and
emissions,
and
consumption,
where
energy
environment-related
emissions aspects
in
productivity and product quality. Apart energy a
key
consumption concern
is
With rising energy costs and
tages: “It brings you to the front-
to
governmental pressure towards
line of research, you get access
management of factories. This could
saving
reducing
to more resources and publica-
mean, for example, that production of
emissions, it is vital for factories
tion networks, you work with the
wastes could be seen as positive and
to
energy
foremost universities, you build
eventually even increased because those
efficiency and include environ-
a name for your institution (given
wastes can be transformed in energy that
ment-related aspects into their
you work competently) and you
in turn could be used to increase efficiency
business plans. These are the
get to have a say in the objec-
and contemporarily power an emissions
two thoughts that were at the
tives of future funding schemes.”
abatement equipment. The hardware
energy
increase
and their
beginning of the project Factory-
European projects
a
holistic
eco-oriented
innovation and the factory management “Wonderful”
Ecomation. Exploiting the advantages of
develop
for
small
and
logics are tested in the factories of two
Dr Paolo Pedrazzoli
medium companies
of the project partners, namely IKEA and
Coordinator Factory-ECOMATION
Funding from European projects
BREMBO.
But why coordinating a European project instead of applying for other, national funding? “If you do not want to keep on being a small university in a local context, a good strategy is to apply for European
is good not only for universities,
but for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
“SME actually get paid for improving their business, that’s wonderful for them.”
that’s wonderful for them”, says Pedrazzoli. “In addition, they can extend their markets and get in contact with experienced partners. Unfortunately, many do not know and trust
projects”, says Paolo Pedrazzoli, coordina-
as well: “They actually get paid for improving
these European funding possibilities”, he
tor of the project at SUPSI. According to
their business, an activity they may not have
adds. When he contacted Swiss SMEs to ask
him, such projects have undeniable advan-
the resources for under normal conditions,
them to participate in the project, they felt that it all sounded “too good to be true” and
FACTS AND FIGURES
declined. A better informed German SME, on Factory ECO-friendly and energy efficient technologies
the other hand, agreed to participate about
and adaptive autoMATION solutions
seven minutes after they had received the e-
(Factory-ECOMATION)
mail with Pedrazzoli’s request. To Paolo Pe-
Research Area:
FP7-NMP
drazzoli, having reliable partners and a
Coordinating Institution:
“Scuola Universitaria Professionale Della Svizzera
strong coordination is the key to make such
Italiana” (SUPSI)
project work “like clockwork”. But what if the
Coordinator:
Dr Paolo Pedrazzoli
existing network of contacts does not in-
Number of Partners:
12
clude all the partners with the properties
Start Date – End Date:
01.10.2012 – 30.09.2015 (36 months)
necessary for a certain project? “In this case,
Project Cost:
9 337 750 Euros
Euresearch can be very valuable. They can
Project Name:
help to find the right partners”, says Paolo.
20
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Industry and academia collaborate on innovative product In QCOALA, eight companies and three research institutions will work together to develop an innovative laser welding process. The advantage of such a collaboration: researchers know for sure what the industry needs and the industry can test and use new technology before competitors do. Gain a competitive advantage
projects which applied for
David
funding under the “Factories
FLISOM, sees QCOALA as a chance
of the Future” initiative, one
to
of
Public-Private-
therefore competitive advantage.
Partnerships (PPPs) projects
“With this project we have the
of the European Commission.
opportunity to make progress that
three
gain
a
co-founder
technological
of and
we might not make otherwise – or If all goes according to the
not so quickly. And we can test new
plan,
technology and use it before the
QCOALA
should
be
ready to start this summer. The companies involved in
David Brémaud QCOALA Coordinator
QCOALA (Quality Control of Aluminium Laser Welded Assemblies) consists of eight companies and three research institutions.
They
will
develop
an
innovative process for laser welding and the adequate machines. The process and machines will have to meet the specific
QCOALA is one of the first
Brémaud,
ABOUT THE PROJECT
needs of the partner companies involved. One of the partners, FLISOM (www.flisom. ch), produces a flexible and extremely lightweight
solar
cell
device
which
converts light into electricity with worldrecord efficiency. The company expects from the new laser welding a higher durability, conductibility and flexibility of the electric contacts on the solar cell.
finished product is on the market.” Furthermore, the project enables
this project have already copiled “wish lists” regarding
an
innovative
laser
welding
process. Their research partners will cover this wish list over the next three years.
“We can test new technology and use it before the finished product is on the market.”
When asked about the disadvantages of participating
in
such
a
project,
David
Brémaud points out the administrative effort, which would be much smaller if he would just
One of the companies involved in QCOALA is
FLISOM to develop relationships to other
assign a university to do the research he
FLISOM AG, a spin-off company of ETH
companies and researchers; relationships
wants. However, the advantages seem to
Zurich.
which might result in fruitful collaborations.
prevail. Finding partners for the second call
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
Apart from “Factories of the Future”, the QCOALA
European Commission funds two other
Quality Control of Aluminium Laser Welded
initiatives under FP7 which aim to enable
Assemblies
such public-private-partnerships: “Energy-
Research Area:
Factories of the Future
efficient Buildings” and “Green Cars”. The
Organisation/Coordinator:
TWI Ltd
European Commission will issue a second
SME-Partner:
Flisom AG
call for projects in these three areas in July
Contact SME-Partner:
David Brémaud
2010. In the case of FLISOM, getting involved
Start Date - End Date
2010/09/01 – 2013/08/31
in “Factories of the Future” was not so
Duration
36 months
difficult: they were contacted by TWI Ltd, the
Project Cost:
4.10 million Euros
coordinator of the project, and asked to join
Project Funding:
2.74 million Euros
in. Those who find it harder to find partners
Contract type:
FP7, Public Private Partnership
get support from Euresearch.
21
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Improving the steering part of satellites The project ELSA - European Levitated Spherical Actuator - aims at developing an innovative satellite attitude and orbit control system (AOCS). For the coordinator of the project, CSEM from Neuchatel, it is a chance to enter a niche market. The ELSA project has the goal of
this stabilization of attitude
improving European capacity to
more efficient and reliable. So
independently
the company wanted to take
commercial
manufacture and
this project one step further,
scientific
to be constantly stabilized. This can be done by “reaction wheels”: If such a wheel is accelerated, it can move a satellite around its center of mass. For
redundancy
and
optimization
reasons, four or five wheels are common (although, theoretically, three would be sufficient). ELSA is developing a single device that can replace these three or four devices: a sphere (controlled
actuator for attitude and orbit
possibilities – and found it in
control systems to a higher
the Space programme of the
one sphere is needed and as there is no
level of maturity. This goal is in
European Commission.
mechanical friction, the new device is
ESAs
funding
earth or another point in space needs
looked
with
other
The position of a satellite towards the
satellites by bringing a new
line
for
ABOUT THE PROJECT
technology Bearable administrative
Support for initial development
burden
actuator
technology
was
provided within the framework
accelerated in any direction. As only
expected to be more reliable, lighter and
strategy and long term plan. activities for this innovative
by magnetic levitation) that can be
Dr Emmanuel Onillon CSEM ELSA Coordinator
of ESAs GSTP program. In other words, once a satellite is in space its
consuming less power than other systems.
“The application process was time
consuming”,
says
“The administrative burden of this project is not too heavy.”
attitude, i.e. its orientation towards the
us who write up such proposals”. According to
him,
the
administrative
burden
of
coordinating such a project is not too heavy. Which is probably also due to the fact that the company had already collaborated with all of
earth or another point in space, needs to
Emmanuel Onillon, the project coordinator.
the project’s partners before, so collaboration
be constantly stabilized. CSEM (Centre
“You have to expect two months for drawing
is more likely to be smooth.
Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique)
up a proposal.” However, his company had
already showed the feasibility of a new
the resources to cover the costs of the
Innovation to enter a niche market
kind of AOCS equipment that would make
application process and “there are several of
Satellites are not the kind of products that are produced and sold everywhere, so the
FACTS AND FIGURES
market is relatively small. “And it is very difficult to enter”, says Emmanuel Onillon,
Project Name:
European Levitated Spherical Actuator (ELSA)
Research Area:
Research and development for space exploration
Principal Investigator:
Dr Emmanuel Onillon
Coordinating Institution:
Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechnique
Start Date - End Date:
01.12.2011 – 31.05.2014 (30 months)
Project Cost:
3 143 391 Euros
Project Funding:
1 966 305 Euros
Project Reference:
283223
Contract Type:
Small or medium-scale focused research project
22
“as you have to prove very conclusively that your product is extremely reliable, and for that you have to participate in scientific missions” – which are not taking place all too often either. But he is confident that they can enter this niche market because “it is not just an improved version of an old product, it really is an innovation, something that has not been here before”.
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Good partners, good chances for success With the project Khresmoi, the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland in Sierre coordinates a 10 million Euro project, funded by the European Commission. An essential ingredient for its success: a good network.
ABOUT THE PROJECT Khresmoi
stands
for
“Knowledge
Helper for Medical and Other Information users”. It aims at automatically collecting the most up-to-date medical information from various sources (journals, websites, books, images), automatically making sense of all of this information
“I think that finding really good
projects before the proposal
partners with very specific com-
was drawn up. They started
petencies for a project to be
with a raw idea for a joint pro-
funded by the European Com-
ject, they waited until a call
mission is the main challenge
from the European Commis-
for
applied
sion seemed to fit their idea,
sciences”, says Henning Müller,
and then they detailed and
the coordinator of the Khresmoi
fashioned their idea in order to
particular patient and then find what the
project. A challenge, but also an
fit the call and to make it as
diagnoses for these similar images were.
opportunity, because “if you
appealing as possible to the
universities
of
chances are better that it is accepted.
And
the
quickly available to the general public, to doctors and to radiologists according to their expertise. The system will be multilingual and include a search for images so that, for example, radiologists can find X-ray images similar to those of a
European Commission – and
find renowned partners who submit the proposal with you,
and automatically making it easily and
Prof Henning Mueller HES-SO KHRESMOI Coordinator
more
successful you are with such projects, the more visibility you gain, and the more likely it is that your future proposals will be accepted.”
not only to the Commission, it
easily available in several languages. Know-
would seem: the aim of Khres-
ing
moi is to develop a system that
success, says Henning Müller: “If you know
The more successful you are with such projects the more likely it is that your future proposals will be accepted.
Developing an idea strategically
one’s
partners
is
also
key
to
your partners, you know how they work and you know that you can rely on them. It is not only factual knowledge and reputation that is important but also social competence.” Benefits and drawbacks
The members of the “core team” of Khres-
collects and makes sense of biomedical
Participating in such a project has several
moi already knew each other from other
information and makes it freely, quickly and
benefits: It obviously provides a secure financial basis for four years of work, it raises the institution’s visibility on a Europe-
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
an and international level and therefore KHRESMOI (Knowledge Helper for Medical and Other Information users)
Research Area:
Intelligent Information Management (ICT-2009.4.3)
Coordinating Institution:
University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland in Sierre
Number of partners:
12
Start Date - End Date:
2010/09/01 – 2014/08/31
Duration:
48 months
Project Cost/Project Funding: 10 560 000 Euros/ 8 040 000 Euros Contract Type:
FP7: IP (Integrated Project), Collaborative project
makes it easier to acquire more funding in the future. Being, in addition, the coordinator of such a project has the benefit of considerable influence over the general direction of the project. The main drawback is the administrative workload.
However,
the
Commission
compensates
costs
generously
more
European
administrative
than
costs
for
scientific work – which makes the paperwork not more interesting, but at least financially more attractive.
23
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Making smart phones smarter To shop online with a mobile phone, you usually have to enter at least a username and a password. But why does that phone not just recognize you by your voice, your face, or both? Well, thanks to MOBIO, it soon will be. The
project
Biometry)
MOBIO
is
the first proposal and submitted
(Mobile
developing
it again in 2006 to FP7. Finally, it
a
was accepted.
technology for mobile phones
Have a plan B
by the interplay of both. This is
“Obviously I was very happy
not only easier for the user than
when the project was accepted”,
passwords and PIN’s, it is also
says Sébastien Marcel, “but soon
an additional level of security.
I
first
negative
experience.” Just as the project MOBIO
is
coordinated
by
Sébastien Marcel from the Idiap
Dr Sébastien Marcel MOBIO Coordinator
Research
being
Institute.
coordinator,
He
likes
was accepted, one of the partners wanted to leave the project.
a
although (or because) it is
(Mobile
developing
a
Biometry)
technology
aims for
at
mobile
phones that recognizes people by their voice, face or the interplay of both. Namely the use of this interplay is innovative. Researchers have systematically collected sound and video recordings with mobile on these recordings, they developed
user by his or her voice, face, or
the
MOBIO
phones at several sites in Europe. Based
that will be able to identify a
had
ABOUT THE PROJECT
algorithms that are able to recognize voice and face even if illumination is not optimal and even if there is background noise.
Finally,
they
adjusted
these
algorithms so that they are sufficiently accurate and at the same time can operate with the limited resources (CPU, memory and speed) provided by mobile phones.
“The international experience and networking is invaluable.”
anything but easy.
Marcel had a backup plan and found a new partner.
Be persistent Sébastien Marcel submitted a first proposal
Fortunately, he had a backup plan and found
for MOBIO in 2004 to FP6. It was rejected. He
a new partner. In 2009, though, the new
submitted a similar project to a Swiss funding
partner discontinued all mobile projects due
Believe in your idea
agency. It was rejected. He then improved
to the economic crisis. Again, Sébastien
Now that smart phones are fairly popular, the idea of MOBIO does not sound very visionary. But in 2004, they were not so popular.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Therefore, Sébastien Marcel had to have an
Project Name:
MOBIO - Mobile Biometry
idea and work for it. “When you prepare a
Research Area:
ICT-2007.1.4 Secure
proposal, you have to know what you want
dependable and trusted infrastructures
and where you want to go, do most of the
Coordinator:
Dr. Sébastien Marcel
work yourself and then contact people to
Coordinating Institution:
Idiap
participate and contribute”, says Marcel.
Number of Partners:
9
Start Date - End Date
2008/01/01 - 2010/12/31
He already has submitted another project
Duration:
36 months
under FP7, and it was accepted. Apparently,
Project Cost:
3.99 million Euros
he likes being a coordinator. And he has
Project Funding:
3.99 million Euros
good reasons for it: “Without the project, I
Contract type:
FP7: collaborative project (generic)
would not have been able to employ more
FP7 Reference Number:
214324
people, and the international experience and networking is invaluable.”
24
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Finding the ideal complement to one’s business Through Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the Swiss company Ganser CRS has found an ideal partner from the UK: “Together, we can offer a product that neither of us could produce alone”, says Alessandro Ganser, Commercial Operations Director.
ABOUT THE COMPANY Ganser CRS is a Swiss company that equips Diesel engines with Common Rail injection systems, a technology which reduces fuel consumption and emissions. More specifically, Ganser CRS concentrates on Diesel engine builders and end users in the so-called off-road
The Enterprise Europe Network
offers was searched by Alessandro
(EEN) is a network that helps
Ganser from Ganser CRS;
small
the
found the technology request
business opportunities of the EU
posted by the UK-based company,
single market. The cooperation
decided that the two companies
between the Swiss company
would perfectly complement each
Ganser CRS and the UK-based
other, and expressed his interest
company R2G2 Controls is one
to get in contact.
companies
seize
he
Bringing the right
Alessandro Ganser Commercial Operations Director Ganser CRS
companies together R2G2 Controls is a designer and manufacturer of engine management electronics. It was looking for a company that equips Diesel engines with Common Rail injection systems
Today, the two companies work together
to
modernize
engines for power generation, ships, locomotives and construction machines. The
company
has
considerable
experience in the field of Common Rail injection for Diesel engines, is highly flexible and can therefore offer custommade, fast solutions to its customers. Ganser CRS AG
example of how this can work in practice.
market. This means that they equip
the
engines of Diesel locomotives for a customer in the US. The aim is
to reduce the locomotives’ fuel consumption
“In the EEN database we found exactly what we were looking for.”
because only this way they could offer an
Industriestrasse 26 8404 Winterthur Tel: +41 (0)52 235 38 80 E-mail: info@ganser-crs.ch www.ganser-crs.com
engines
consume
less
diesel
fuel
and
therefore emit less CO2, but they will also produce less other emissions per liter.
integrated product. They expressed this
by 5 to 10 percent. Because fuel costs account
interest by publishing a technology request
for about half of such a company’s overall
An efficient way to find partners
in the EEN database. This database with
costs, such a reduction significantly reduces
Before he started to search the EEN database,
hundreds of both technology requests and
operating costs. In addition, not only will the
Alessandro Ganser was introduced to its aims, benefits and use by Euresearch. Today,
COMPANY’S BENEFIT Thanks to EEN support, Ganser CRS: • identified a valuable partner to set up a new project • was able to broaden its network • is continuously updated with further technology opportunities
he automatically gets e-mail alerts when a new technology request or offer is published matching his search criteria. “So far, I have flicked through maybe about one hundred such profiles. It doesn’t take that much time to do this, and we have found exactly what we were looking for. It is an efficient way to find
EEN SUPPORT . EEN supported Ganser CRS by: • presenting a whole set of partner search services matching their needs • giving access to new technology/business opportunities via the EEN database • establishing and nurturing contact between the two partners
partners”, says Alessandro Ganser. EEN and its local contact points (such as Euresearch) promote, maintain and explain the database, establish contacts between companies and get back to them after a while to see how the partnerships evolve.
25
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Corporate speed dating that ends in lasting relationships Ecolistec was looking for a new relationship: a partner whose products could supplement its own portfolio. But how to find a reliable, smart – and attractive – partner? By corporate speed dating.
ABOUT THE COMPANY Ecolistec Ltd. is a Swiss company offering three kinds of products for production sites: lifting systems (gantry cranes, jib
cranes),
transportation
systems
(trolleys, sack trucks) and systems to clean, transport or test the quality of
Corporate speed dating – or
at
“partnering
Ecolistec
event”,
as
it
is
matchmaking and
that
Jumbo
Stillads
other.
Today,
wastewater. Since June this year, Ecolistec distributes folding
officially called – brings together
found
companies that have something
Ecolistec has supplemented its
to offer with companies that are
portfolio with Jumbo products.
looking for something. They
And it is not the first time that
enter their offers, needs and
speed dating has worked for
short company profile when
Ecolistec: “Not only have we found
company
registering for a meeting that
partners whose products we can
the
profiles match and if they agree
ladders,
scaffolds
toolboxes of
the
and
Danish
company Jumbo Stillads. Founded in 2008, Ecolistec
focuses
on
products
with
special
for
a
economical,
sociopolitical is
Swiss
high-quality concern
ecological sustainability.
founding Cleantech
and The
member
of
Association.
distribute in Switzerland, but also
usually takes place at fairs, trade shows or conferences. If their
each
events
Joachim Esser CEO Ecolistec
our products are now sold, for example, in Norway and England”,
to, their representatives meet in
says
person to discuss how they
Ecolistec.
would work together in the future. These speed datings are part of the service offered by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). Expanding portfolio and market
Joachim
Esser,
CEO
of
“Partnering events are effective because I know who is there, what they are offering or looking for, and I can prepare myself accordingly”
Ecolistec is a Swiss company offering lifting
Ecolistec AG Bottighoferstrasse 1 8280 Kreuzlingen Tel: +41 (0)71 686 90 40 E-mail: j.esser@ecolistec.ch
look for what you need, but 98.6 % of them would neither be interested nor interesting”, says Joachim Esser. In contrast, at partnering
technology, transportation equipment and
Increasing efficiency, ensuring quality
events, “I know who is there, what they are
wastewater cleaning systems
for construc-
“You could, of course, go up to every exhibi-
offering or looking for, and I can prepare
tion sites. It is through contacts established
tor at a trade fair and offer your products or
myself
accordingly”.
This
increases
the
chance that both parties find what they are
COMPANY’S BENEFIT Thanks to EEN support, ECOLISTEC • could enter new markets within Europe • was able to increase their product portfolio • met efficiently the right partners at the partnering events
looking for. Such meetings help Ecolistec to find partners who meet its requirements regarding quality and sustainability. “We are looking for partners who produce sustainably and locally as far as possible, like we do”, says Joachim
EEN SUPPORT . EEN supported ECOLISTEC with: • informing on partnering events that match with their technology profile • organizing partnering events during European trade fairs or conferences • distributing meeting schedules prior to the partnering event
26
Esser. If it was only price that counted, then an internet search would do. But if things are more complicated, partnering events are an ideal place to meet and evaluate potential partners – something that Ecolistec intends to continue in the future.
H2020 - Competitive Industries
Living artwork Instead of growing in pots, plants can also grow on the wall – with this idea, a French artist set a new trend a few years ago. Following on from this, Hydroplant developed the innovative “plant artwork”. Thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network, a Dutch company was found
instead of colours and shapes,
Ernst-Jan
living plants give the artwork
Enterprise Europe Network - Swit-
its form. Together with the
zerland searched the Technology
Zurich University of Applied
Database with Küderli’s request
Sciences (ZHAW) in Wädenswil,
in mind and found a Dutch
Hydroplant has developed a
company
plant artwork. This 55 cm x 120
substrate for the cultivation of
cm installation of acrylic glass is
orchids. The sample supplied
passive watering system and a substrate on which the plants
Hattum
of
produces
fulfilled expectations with only Moritz Küderli Hydroplant Owner and Managing Director
the colour and thickness of the substrate
mat
having
interior and exterior spaces of business and private clients. In addition to the creative workshop, where the design
provides care and maintenance services
Success at the first attempt
fitted with a water reservoir, a
specialises in greenery concepts for the
Hydroplant has its own nursery and also
It decorates the wall – but
that
Hydroplant AG was founded in 1972. It
concepts with plants are developed,
that was able to supply the ideal planting substrate. van
ABOUT THE COMPANY
to
for the installed greenery. The family business, with its headquarters in Zurich Oerlikon, employs a staff of 60.
Hydroplant AG Neunbrunnenstr. 50 8052 Zurich Tel: +41 (0)44 942 93 93 E-mail: Moritz.Kuederli@hydroplant.ch www.hydroplant.ch, www.verticalis.ch
be
changed. “In order for the sup-
grow. “The challenge was to find a suitable substrate,” explains Moritz Küderli,
plier to be able to manufacture to the correct
Hydroplant has already been able to supply
owner and managing director of Hydroplant
thickness, we had to invest in a special tool,”
several large orders; for example, the Prime
AG. A trial with mineral wool failed because it became mildewed in interior spaces.
The
designer also involved in the project
sug-
“The EEN led us to the right partner within a very short time.”
Tower in Zurich West. Küderli is convinced: “The feedback from customers is very good and we see great potential in the new
gested to Küderli that he place his technology
explains Küderli. The mats have now been
request in the Enterprise Europe Network
supplied since September 2011 and are built
(EEN) in order to try and find an alternative.
into the plant artworks, which are marketed
Unexpected branch
under the name Verticalis.
“The EEN led us to the right partner within a
product.”
very
COMPANY’S BENEFIT Thanks to EEN support, Hydroplant: •
was able to look for solutions in other sectors
•
saved resources in delegating the search to EEN
•
solved their technology need within a very short time
short
time,”
explains
Küderli.
“We were saved a lot of work thanks to the efforts
of
the
Swiss
contact
point.”
Hydroplant’s own research on the internet, however, had not provided the desired results. “We were searching mainly in the building industry, and were very surprised when, thanks to the EEN, we found what we
EEN SUPPORT . EEN supported Hydroplant to: •
identify a provider of a suitable substrate for the new product
•
establish contact with this company in the Netherlands
•
initiate a fruitful cooperation among both companies
needed in the horticultural industry.” The next
challenge
will
be
to
reduce
the
production costs of Verticalis. Küderli will most certainly rely on the help of the EEN in order to find a new material to replace the acrylic glass.
27
Chapter 3
horizon 2020 – Tackling Societal Challenges These FP7 Success Stories are classified according to the new European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation – Horizon 2020. Tackling societal challenges for a better society focused on • longer and healthier lives • reliable, clean and efficient energy • efficient use of resources for the protection of the planet • inclusive, innovative and secure societies • a safe and secure food supply • smart, green transport
H2020 - Societal Challenges
A small company realizes its big vision It is a project with an ambitious vision: developing a chip with microtissues that can, to some extent, simulate how parts of the human body react to a potential new drug.
ABOUT THE PROJECT The aim of the project “Body-on-aChip” is to build a system of connected human
microtissues
(such
as
liver,
tumor, heart) that in some ways act similarly to their counterpart in the human body. With such a system, the effects of
whole
of the Swiss Federal Institute of
Funding from the EU helps the
Technology (ETH) Zurich and
small company to realize this
the University Zurich. Founded
vision, in collaboration with its
in 2009, its primary products
partners.
are new types of microtissue
But even if it should turn out
models. Ideally, when such a
that the vision cannot be fully
microtissue model for, say, a
realized, “the project is planned
(around 1.5 billion dollars) are incurred
part of the human liver, is
in a way that the ‘by-products’
after the beginning of the clinical phase,
exposed to a potential new
of the development process are
improving the early testing phase is
drug, it reacts like an actual
products that we can sell”, says
highly cost-relevant.
liver – or at least very similarly. The “Body-on-a-Chip” project is currently
coordindated
Dr Jens M. Kelm InSphero AG Chief Scientific Officer
system
of
tissues.
potential new drugs can be assessed
InSphero is a spin-off company
in a more reliable way than today. Currently, the results of testing methods are not sufficiently predictive: even if 10 drugs reach the phase of clinical trials, about 9 of them fail afterwards. Given that around two thirds of the development costs of a new drug
Jens M. Kelm, co-founder of the company.
by
“The project is planned in a way that the ‘by-products’ of the development process are products that we can sell.”
InSphero company. Exploiting the project’s “by-products” Already a few years ago, the founders of InSphero had the idea to take this principle
business. Everything else has to be done on top of that.” However, InSphero appointed a project manager, David Fluri, who handles a lot of the coordination tasks. In addition, InSphero can rely on partners that, for the
one step further: their vision is to connect
Coordination: easier with some support
most part, they had already known before the
models of different types of tissues so that
“For a small company, it’s not all that easy to
project
not only the reaction of separate tissues
coordinate a project”, says Jens M. Kelm,
contributed their part in drafting the project
can be tested, but also the reaction of a
“since we have enough to do with our daily
proposal.
FACTS AND FIGURES
These
partners
also
Strong competition
Project Name:
The Body-on-a-Chip (BoC)
Research Area:
Health care
Coordinating Institution:
InSphero AG
Coordinator:
Dr Jan Lichtenberg, Dr Jens M. Kelm, Dr David Fluri
Start Date - End Date:
01.06.2012 – 31.05.2015
Duration:
36 months
Project Cost:
1 919 000 Euros
Project Funding:
1 395 000 Euros
Project Reference:
296257
Contract Type:
Collaborative project
30
started.
Two consortiums from the US have started a similar project like that of InSphero – with a funding of about 30 million dollars each, while InSphero has to content itself with 1.4 million euro. “We were quite shocked when we heard that”, says Jens M. Kelm. “However, with our resources, we have to be pragmatic and always focus on practicability in the ‘real world’. A simpler technology might be more robust and finally better suit the needs of customers.”
H2020 - Societal Challenges
Generating innovative compounds for novel approaches to cancer treatment CAPPELLA brought together several SMEs and academic groups to develop new drugs for cancer therapy. For the coordinating SME Evolva, it was the first EU project to participate in.
ABOUT THE PROJECT The
inhibition
of
protein
–
protein
interaction is a promising and at the time of submission of the CAPPELLA project newly
emerging
approach
to
the
development of cancer therapies. Because protein-protein interactions occur within
The right partners and a
where all partners would devote
strong “project culture” as
two days fully to the project. We
keys to success
believe that the considerable effort we and all partners put into a
CAPPELLA very successfully
“project culture” was a key in
tackled the questions at the
achieving the ambitious scientific
heart of the project. The
goals of the project.”
coordinators Tanja Thybo and Sanne Jensen elaborate on the
According to them, the range of
underlying
experience, knowledge and access
consider
factors: the
“We
consortium
composition as the key to
Dr Tanja Thybo and Dr Sanne Jensen
success of EVOLVA. Our existing network was essential in building this strong consortium: We choose partners with whom we have worked before and based on expertise and reputation. But the strength of the collaboration was also something we invested in as coordinator. For example, we organised meetings twice yearly
very specific drug characteristics. The main aim of CAPPELLA was to design, synthesize and optimise such innovative molecules that inhibit protein-protein interaction in cancer. Moreover, the project developed innovative tools for more efficient development and testing of drug candidates.
to infrastructure available to the
Administrative hurdles
consortium led to real synergies
Despite
the
overwhelmingly
positive
clearly enhancing the quality of the research
outcome, project implementation was not
output.
always easy: “Especially for a small company
“The administrative and bureaucratic workload was much heavier than expected, but more than outweighed by the considerable long-term benefits the project coordination brings to our company.”
like ours, getting considerable research funding was important. For some project partners, gaps in payments due to delays in mid-term report approval posed severe problems” say the coordinators. They describe the administrative/bureaucracy work of coordinating as considerable and had underestimated this in the beginning.
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
cells, targeting these with drugs requires
CAPPELLA – Combating cancer through novel approaches to protein-protein inhibitor libraries
Research Area:
LIFESCIHEALTH (corresponds to FP7 Health)
Coordinator:
Dr Tanja Thybo & Dr Sanne Jensen (Scientific Coordinator)
Organisation:
Evolva SA
Start Date - End Date
2007/01/01 – 2009/12/31
Duration
36 months
Project Cost / Funding:
4.91 million Euros / 3.36 million Euros
Contract type:
Specific Targeted Research Project
FP6 Reference Number:
37251
Yet this should not deter from coordination: “We
would
still
recommend
taking
up
coordination if the topic and partners match, but be aware of the administrative burdens and plan how to handle these from the start! Being the project coordinator allows you to really drive the direction of the project. The biggest advantage is maybe the establishment and enhancement of our network of academic groups and SMEs.”
31
H2020 - Societal Challenges
Creating evidence for fighting healthcare associated infections Under the lead of the university hospital Geneva, PROHIBIT unites European medical research centres and the WHO to understand crucial factors determining the frequency of healthcare associated infections. Many more hospitals contribute to the study by providing information and testing interventions to minimise healthcare associated infections. A research subject with
collaborate with hospitals in their
compelling/imperative Eu-
region. Another major project goal
ropean dimension
is the evaluation of two interventions
That the aims of PROHIBIT can
for the prevention of a specific
only
be
tackled
involving
healthcare associated infection. As
from
different
the hospitals performing the trial
partners European
countries
is
are not involved in the conceptual
inherent to the subject. “The
aspects of the project, involving
extended network as well as
them as consortium partners would
technical know-how of each project partner is invaluable for PROHIBIT”, says Dr. Walter
not be sensible and lead to Dr Walter Zingg PROHIBIT Coordinator
“As coordinators, we have a lot of influence on the direction of the research. Having known the partners beforehand facilitates coordination as we had a rather clear idea on where our guidance would be most needed from the start”.
Zingg, who coordinates the project together with Prof. Didier Pittet. The collection of information on guidelines and practices applied by hospitals in different countries in the
fight
against
healthcare
associated
diseases forms a central aspect of PROHIBIT and local partners are much better able to
The rather high frequency of healthcare associated infections is posing a major health risk to European patients and creates considerable healthcare costs. There
are
huge
differences
in
the
frequency of healthcare related infections across European countries and healthcare institutions that cannot be explained solely by differences in characteristics of the treated patients. Rather, differences are suspected to be also caused by differences in healthcare procedures and underlying guidelines and best practices. The main aims of PROHIBIT is to identify and validate factors that determine the implementation of effective interventions to
prevent
healthcare
associated
infections. unjustified administrative burdens for all involved. Nearly a forth of the budget of PROHIBIT is allocated to subcontracting these centres. Lengthy, but successive negotiations Subcontracting in R&D projects is generally not viewed favourably by the EC and is subject to very specific conditions. Walter Zingg states that the PROHIBIT consortium was very lucky with the EC project officer who
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
ABOUT THE PROJECT
understood that subcontracting the trialPROHIBIT - Prevention of Hospital Infections
performing hospitals was the best solution.
by Intervention and Training
Yet other offices of the EC had to be convinced
Research Area:
FP7-Health
before the grant agreement could be signed.
Coordinator:
Prof. Didier Pittet & Dr Walter Zingg
Support by the Euresearch regional office
(joint coordination approved by EC)
Geneva was much appreciated during this
Organisation:
Université de Genève
negotiation phase and finally, subcontracting
Start Date - End Date:
2010/01/01 - 2013/12/31
was accepted. Walter Zingg advised: “It is
Duration:
48 months
important that you explain as early as in the
Number of Partners:
8
proposal that the organisations planned to
Project Cost / Funding:
3.86 million Euros / 3.00 million Euros
subcontract are not carrying out essential
Contract type:
Small or medium-scale focused
parts of the actual research and that you
research project
describe how they will be chosen”.
FP7 Reference Number:
32
241928
H2020 - Societal Challenges
Novel synthetic molecules to treat memory loss MEMSTICK investigates the role of certain molecules in memory loss. The project translates the basic findings into development of synthetic molecules mimicking the natural ones. These novel molecules should prevent and treat memory loss. Although the responsibility of coordination can be daunting, Prof. Carmen Sandi regrets that the project is completed. Carmen Sandi had participated
colleagues as she believes they
in FP project as far back as
often tackle research problems in a
FP5 – MEMSTICK is the first
more creative way than established
one she coordinates. “A few
senior researchers.
partners from a running FP6
Prof. Sandi, the careful choice of
projects asked me if I would
partners following the cornerstones
lead an application to an open
of the call was one of the keys to
FP7 call that matched our
success in winning the competition,
research
but
interests” Prof. Carmen Sandi MEMSTICK Coordinator
coordination “During a course given by Sean McCarthy I realised how crucial it is for the project to be in scope with the call topic” says Prof. Sandi. She meticulously analysed the call text, identifying
the
missing
for
the
successful
Memory loss occurs in a range of widespread diseases, but the molecular causes
are
largely
Consequently,
there
unknown.
are
no
drugs
available that would markedly interfere with memory loss. So-called cell adhesion molecules are suspected to play a crucial role in memory loss. The FP7 Health project MEMSTICK investigates the role of these
molecules
conditions:
in
three
Psychiatric
different disorders,
Alzheimer’s disease and ageing. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop synthetic
molecules
that
mimic
cell
adhesive molecules for the treatment of memory deficits and/or prevention of memory loss.
implementation of the project. “I
remembers Prof. Sandi. Ups and downs in project
also
According to
ABOUT THE PROJECT
expertise.
Additionally, she tried to involve young
would put even greater care in
“The careful choice of partners according to the cornerstones of the call was one of the keys to success in winning the competition.”
As another key for the success of MEMSTICK she considers the fact that the scientific partners are supported by a small company specialised
in
the
conception
and
implementation of EU projects, taking off most
administrative
tasks
from
the
coordinator. “The responsibility remains with
choosing the right partners for the next
the coordinator, but the management partner
project”, she says.
dealing with the legal and administrative issues when we had to amend the contract was a huge relief”.
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
MEMSTICK
Prof.
Synaptic mechanisms of memory loss:
disadvantages of being the coordinator.
Novel cell adhesion molecules as
“Being a key partner in a consortium led by
therapeutic targets
someone dedicated to the project and
Research Area:
FP7-Health
sharing research interests and views certainly
Coordinator:
Prof. Carmen Sandi
is less stressful than coordinating and can be
Organisation:
EPFL
very rewarding” she states. She sees an
Start Date - End Date
2008/02/01 - 2011/04/30
advantage in coordinating in being able to
Duration
39 months
control the research direction. “It never
Project Cost / Funding:
4.14 million Euros / 2.97 million Euros
occurred to me to think about it in terms of
Contract type:
Small or medium-scale focused research
reputation and visibility, but I guess it is a
project
point” she replies when brought on the
201600
subject.
FP7 Reference Number:
Sandi
sees
both
advantages
and
33
H2020 - Societal Challenges
Protect the public against future flu pandemics FLUINHIBIT aims at the discovery of novel antiviral drug candidates to protect the public against future flu pandemics. The coordinator, Dr Beatrice Pilger, is co-founder of the SME Pike Pharma, a spin-off of the ETH Zürich. In the project FLUINHIBIT
HEALTH call. I would not coordinate
you
a consortium with more than 10
are
coordinator,
in
FLUCURE partner. Where do
partners,
as
you see the advantages of
work increases exponentially with
being a coordinator?
each
extra
the
administrative
partner,
ABOUT THE PROJECT The
H1N1
pandemic
in
2009
has
illustrated the urgent need for new therapeutics for the treatment of both pandemic
and
seasonal
influenza
infections. FLUINHIBIT’s major objective is the discovery of molecule inhibitors of influenza polymerase subunit interactions as novel antiviral drug candidates, which will help to protect the public against future flu pandemics.
especially
during the negotiation stage. But
possibilities to get our project idea funded.
Beatrice Pilger: The work as
our scientific officer and financial
We found information on FP7, Cordis and
a coordinator is an investment
officer were very helpful and the
Euresearch on the internet. The HEALTH call
into one’s future. It gives an
amount of administrative work was
open at the time contained a topic that
SME the advantage to have a
much lower than anticipated at the
largely fitted our research idea. When we
beginning.
became aware of this call for proposals, the
major influence on the project strategy. Mostimportantly, it
Dr Beatrice Pilger FLUINHIBIT Coordinator
gives you a constant up-to-date overview of
submission deadline was only six weeks
“The work as a coordinator is an investment into one’s future ”
the research results of all the partners in the consortium. Thus it is possible to protect
away. Having no experience with the Commission’s Framework Programme at all, we were
results via patent applications at an early stage and before they get published. In
Why did you decide to submit the project
hesitant to participate. Fortunately, the
addition, the network to which a coordinator
FLUINHIBIT?
Euresearch Regional Office in Zürich and the National Contact Point (NCP) Health convinced
has access is invaluable. We were invited to an EU workshop on influenza to discuss
Beatrice Pilger: Due to the scarcity of venture
us to set up a consortium and adapt the
research priorities in this domain for the 4th
capital
project idea to fit the topic fully. It was tough,
funding
we
looked
for
other
but
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name: Research Area:
even
first-timers
can
successfully
navigate the proposal writing process with some assistance. FLUINHIBIT – small molecule inhibitors of the trimeric influenza virus polymerase
What did you think about the evaluation
HEALTH-2007-2.3.3-7 Supporting highly
of your proposal?
innovative inter-disciplinary research on influenza
Beatrice Pilger: For an SME it is invaluable to
Coordinator:
Dr Beatrice Pilger / Dr Ulrich Kessler
get critical feedback on our research strategy
Organisation:
Pike Pharma GmbH
via a peer review from top scientists in the
Number of Partners:
6
field of influenza research. The suggestions
Start Date - End Date
2008/04/01 – 2010/03/31
we received in the Evaluation Summary
Duration
24 months
Report were very valuable and have a
Project Cost:
1.94 million Euros
significant impact on the project.“
Project Funding:
1.48 million Euros
FP7 Reference Number:
201634
34
H2020 - Societal Challenges
First Swiss SME coordinator in a European project The EU project SLIC - Synthetic Ligand-Gated Ion Channel - is coordinated by Dr Solomzi Makohliso, CEO of Ayanda Biosystems SA. It is the first SME in Switzerland coordinating a EU project in the Framework Programme. Where do you see the advan-
submit the project SLIC?
tages of being a coordinator?
In 2003 the market was down,
As coordinator it is possible to
and
any
focus the project in such a way that
investment.
it can produce deliverables that are
possibility
was of
not
innovate and build new tools
more market competitiveness for
ready to sell once the market
them.
recovered. A suitable call topic
demanding
was
time
in the Health FP6 calls became available in the summer that
Dr Solomzi Makohliso SLIC Coordinator
year; the timing was perfect.
For
this
reason
the
administrative
process, especially the negotiation stage, is considered acceptable.
«As coordinator it is possible to focus the project in such a way that it can produce SME relevant deliverables.»
The SME Ayanda Biosystems has participated in three EU projects in FP6 to date, of which they coordinated one of them, their first FP6
Makohliso,
CEO
of
Ayanda
Biosystems SA, aimed to develop new diagnostic tools that would facilitate the detection of RNA-based infectious disease
Nanobiosystem, an electrical detection
relevant to the SME and lead to
it
Solomzi
aim of the project was to use the SLIC
to
Therefore
The EU project SLIC, coordinated by Dr.
pathogens for molecular diagnostics. The
Why did you decide to
there
ABOUT THE PROJECT
device, for the realisation of a miniaturized and
cost-effective
instrument.
This
creates new opportunities within the area of point of care application in the clinical diagnostic
market.
One
of
the
key
deliverables to emerge from this project was a novel and rapid method for lysing and extracting RNA from cells in a single step.
What is the quality of research carried out at EU level under FP6? It would not have been easy to carry out the
project in fact. In FP7, they are coordinating
Hopefully the improvements from FP6 to FP7
SLIC nor the current PharMEA project only at
the project called PharMEA, which starts in
will make this administrative process less
the national level. SLIC developed a novel
September 2009.
time consuming.
state-of-the–art diagnostic and life science tool that is ahead of similar products in the market.
FACTS AND FIGURES
The PharMEA project aims at adapting a product already used widely in academic
Project Name:
SLIC - Synthetic Ligand-Gated Ion Channel
research labs for use in drug discovery and
Research Area:
Health
development. Our objective is to use the
Coordinator:
Dr Solomzi Makohliso
adapted technology in order to enter the
Organisation:
Ayanda Biosystems SA
pharmaceutical industry and in that way
Number of Partners:
4
enlarge
Start Date - End Date
2005/01/01 - 2007/12/31
competitiveness. An international consortium
Duration:
36 months
was
Project Cost:
2.38 million Euros
consortium and also strengthen our future
Project Funding:
2.00 million Euros
market competitiveness. Funding on EU level
Contract type:
Specific Targeted Innovation Project
was our best choice.
FP6 Reference Number:
513771
and
needed
improve to
build
our a
market
well-balanced
35
H2020 - Societal Challenges
EU funding to make our food safer The project RADAR aims at developing a novel instrument to detect toxins and pollutants in the food chain. This task involves risks and high-tech on a level that only big companies can tackle – or small ones, thanks to funding from the European Union. “Counter-intuitive” is the word
Complexity brings economic
that the project coordinator of
risks
RADAR,
Follonier,
The instrument to be developed
uses when he comments the
consists, basically, of five parts:
fact that the European Union
Part one prepares samples of,
funds a project that aims at
for
developing
analysed. These samples are
Stéphane
a
very
concrete
example,
to
be
RADAR aims at developing an instrument to test solid or liquid material for toxins and pollutants. To achieve this, the researchers take receptor molecules from aquatic organisms that binds classes of toxins and alter them in a way that they achieve a certain sensitivity and a broad specificity. The advantages compared to existing testing methods: thanks to the modified receptor molecules, the instrument can detect even toxins that are not known yet but that interact with the receptor molecules; and thanks to
product. Follonier is also head
brought
bio-engineered
its ability to perform real-time analysis,
of the Landquart division of
receptors (part two) that bind a
it can continuously (not just every now
CSEM,
coordinating
certain range of toxins and
and then) monitor, for example, water in
the
pollutants. These receptors sit
a fish farm for such toxins.
the
institution
of
RADAR
to
water
ABOUT THE PROJECT
project. RADAR shows that the
Dr Stéphane Follonier
on a chip with a nanostructured
Union
RADAR Coordinator
surface (part three). Optical
and work autonomously for at least a month
sensors (part four) then detect
(part five). Sounds quite straightforward, but:
not
only
funds
big
universities who conduct basic research.
“Even though the technologies for these
research not only for research’s sake, but
“The European Union is trying to involve small enterprises and promoting research not only for research’s sake, but for the development of concrete applications.”
for the development of products with
how many toxins and pollutants are bound
Consequently, new technologies have to be
concrete
by the receptors. Finally, another part makes
developed in different fields, and if only one
the system able to be remotely controlled
part of the instrument does not work, the
“I find it very important that the European Union is trying to involve small and medium enterprises and is promoting
applications”,
says
Stéphane
Follonier.
parts currently exists, dedicated technologies optimized
for
the
end
application
are
required for a successful product”, says Stéphane Follonier.
whole instrument will not work. If it was not
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
for the funding from the European Union, RADAR (Rationally Designed Aquatic Receptors integrated in label-free biosensor platforms for remote surveillance of toxins and pollutants)
Research Area:
KBBE.2010.3.2-04 Innovative aquatic biosensors
Organisation:
CSEM (Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechnique)
Start Date - End Date:
01.01.2011 – 31.12.2014
Duration:
48 months
Project Cost:
3 896 412 Euros
Project Funding:
2 926 127 Euros
36
only big companies would have the resources to bear such a risk. The research partners are each responsible for one part of the instrument. “The problem is sometimes that each partner wants to optimize their part of the instrument”, says Stéphane Follonier, “but what is really important is that the performance of the whole system is maximised. Ensuring that is the job of the CSEM as a coordinator.”
H2020 - Societal Challenges
Experience and tenacity pay off Imagine a building where heating, cooling, window shades and insulation are all integrated into its façade. The members of the FLUIDGLASS project aim to realize just that vision. On the way to that vision, their endurance has been put to the test. Lessons learned
goes back as far as 1998, when
So the partners decided to
architect
answer a European project call
Schwarz,
transparent glass façade that consists of three layers: The first layer, outside the building, contains a circulating fluid that can be dyed serving as both a sun shade
cooled or heated to condition the room;
for
–
sustainable
design
the
when they found a call that
Liechtenstein,
suited even better, they decided
patented the system on which
to give it another try. This time,
the project is based. Since
their
then, a few research projects,
successful. “This shows that
capabilities is 50 to 70 percent for
led
of
endurance and tenacity pay, if
retrofitting and 20 to 30 percent for new
Liechtenstein and Schwarz’s
you learn your lessons”, says
low energy buildings.
of
by
start-up
the
University
GLASSX
AG,
have
yielded a proof of concept
Dr Daniel Gstöhl FLUIDGLASS coordinator
application
2012,
contains a circulating fluid that can be
Professor
University
In
the second layer, inside the building,
currently
at
unsuccessfully.
FLUIDGLASS aims to construct a fully
and a huge thermal solar collector;
The history of FLUIDGLASS Dietrich
ABOUT THE PROJECT
was
very
the third layer lies between the other two and makes sure that as little heat as possible is exchanged between the other layers. The potential for energy savings due
to
novel
energy
management
Daniel Gstöhl. It is the first time that an
prototype.
institution from Liechtenstein coordinates However, at a certain point, the partners “were convinced that these small projects could only solve single pieces of the puzzle
“Our story shows that experience and tenacity pay.”
project, not the least because that way it could decide on the direction and focus of the whole project.
and that they needed something big to
such a European project. For the other
Sharing the work
develop the whole system”, says Daniel
partners, working in EU projects is relatively
“Inexperience
Gstöhl, the project coordinator at the
new as well. In this situation, the University
procedure quite challenging”, says Daniel
University of Liechtenstein.
of Liechtenstein decided to coordinate the
Gstöhl. He learned an important lesson from
made
the
application
the first application: “The second time, one partner concentrated on the management
FACTS AND FIGURES
part of the application – in which he was
Project Name:
FLUIDGLASS
Research Area:
FP7-Energy
Organisation:
University of Liechtenstein, Institute of Architecture
Coordinator:
Dr Daniel Gstöhl
Partners:
Mayer Glastechnik, NTB, TU München, GlassX, Hoval, CEA-INES, University of Stuttgart, CNERIC, Alcoa, Amires
Start Date - End Date:
01.09.2013 - 31.08.2017
Duration:
48 months
Project Cost:
5.1 million Euros
Project Funding:
3.9 million Euros
Contract Type:
FP7: Collaborative project
specialized
–
while
the
universities
concentrated on the scientific, the industry on the impact part.” This way, all partners did what they knew most about. This
strategy
application Commission.
resulted
review Among
in
by
an the
other
excellent European
things,
the
reviewers are confident that “the project can produce new and innovative solutions which can impact significantly on building energy performance and comfort”.
37
H2020 - Societal Challenges
International collaboration needed for a product that sells internationally The members of the project MacSheep aim to develop a system of heat pump and solar thermal panels that works with 25 percent less electricity demand than current systems. To make the system competitive, they have to draw on each others knowledge about their markets.
ABOUT THE PROJECT Systems of heat pumps and solar thermal panels that heat water or space need a certain input of electricity. With that input and the “free” energy of sun, air and earth, these systems produce an output in the form of useful heat. MacSheep aims to develop a system that needs 25 percent less electrical input than current
The heating system that the
Common funding brings closer
systems. In the first phase of the project,
members of MacSheep aim to
collaboration
system simulations are used to show the
develop
sold
Having partners from all over
performance of combinations of newly
internationally. Therefore, it has
Europe also enables MacSheep to
developed materials, components and
to meet differing demands: “The
exploit the expertise of institu-
control systems applied on a whole
requirements that have to be
tions that are highly specialized
system concept. In a second step,
met for a heating system in
in certain areas. This degree of
prototypes are developed and tested.
Switerland
quite
specialization would be hard to
The resulting systems are to be sold
different from the requirements
find in one country alone. “And
internationally at competitive prices.
in other European countries”,
because we receive funding from
is
to
be
may
be
the same source, we are all
says Michel Haller, coordinator of the MacSheep project.
Dr Michel Yves Haller
bound to closely collaborate and
Coordinator MacSheep
“If we only worked with Swiss partners, we may develop a system that sells only in Switzerland. Thanks to the involvement of nine institutions from six
“If we only work with Swiss partners, we may develop a system that sells only in Switzerland.”
his extensive network. Not so easy was it to create an application for funding from the European Union. Application as an iterative process According to Michel Haller, creating an
countries, we are able to develop a prod-
to deliver on time what we agreed to deliver”,
application
uct
says Michel Haller. According to him, finding
process: “If we had had a detailed plan for a
these partners was not difficult, because of
project and then looked for a call that
that
can
be
sold
in
many
European countries.”
funding
is
an
iterative
exactly fitted our plan we probably would not
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
for
have been successful.” Instead, he knew the New Materials and Control for a next generation of
partners and had an idea for the project,
compact combined Solar and heat pump systems with
looked for calls that such a project might fit
boosted energetic and exergetic performance
in, and then adjusted our plans to the call’s
(MacSheep)
requirements.
Research Area:
FP7-Energy
Coordinating Institution:
Institut für Solartechnik SPF of the University of Applied
“In
Sciences Rapperswil (HSR)
appplication,the help of Euresearch was
Coordinator:
Dr Michel Yves Haller
extremely helpful for understanding the
Project website:
macsheep.spf.ch
process of submission and evaluation and
Number of Partners:
9
what kind of information on the project the
Start Date – End Date:
02.01.2012– 01.01.2016 (48 months)
European Union exactly wanted to see”, says
Project Cost:
3 088 642 Euros
Michel Haller.
38
the
final
process
of
writing
the
H2020 - Societal Challenges
Understanding the politicization of migration In some countries, migration is a hot topic on the political agenda, in others it is not. Why is that? The FP7-project SOM is looking for answers to this question, coordinated by Gianni D’Amato, director of Swiss Forum for Migration and Population Studies.
ABOUT THE PROJECT SOM (Support and opposition to migration) aims to determine why and when potential conflicts
has
Migration and Population Studies
conducted a lot of research
(SFM), which is part of the University
into migration and citizenship,
of Neuchâtel, the project is also an
which, among others, resulted
opportunity to gain experience in
in
right-wing
managing such a large project. It is
populism and migration in
also a question of prestige, an
Switzerland. “I realized what
opportunity to position the SFM in
an
phenomenon
political sociology research – not
political mobilization is in
least in relation to similar European
Switzerland. And I wondered
university institutes.
a
D’Amato
book
on
important
what the situation in Europe is like”, says Gianni D’Amato. A
Prof. Gianni D’Amato SOM Coordinator
“We were the ones who had the idea for the project, so we also wanted to be the ones to manage it.”
FP7-project was an opportunity to find out. Why being a coordinator? Gianni D’Amato sees several advantages of
migration
become
types of actors: the state, political parties, movements, and the media. In seven countries
Gianni
over
politicized. The project focuses on four
(Austria,
Belgium,
Britain,
Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland),
researchers
assess
the
demographics of migration, the legal and policy situation, the political opportunity structure (opportunities for migrants to participate in the political process), and the claims-making of these contentious groups deriving from a media screening. Based on these data, SOM will test hypotheses why migration is politicized in some countries and not in others.
for me personally is that I can satisfy my curiosity about how research is managed in DG Research”. Sharing knowledge
being the coordinator of a FP7-project. For one, “we were the ones who had the idea for
But then, apart from such objective reasons,
Collaborating with universities in other
the project, so we also wanted to be the ones
there is also a subjective one: “To be honest”,
countries is inevitable for a project like SOM.
to manage it.” For the Swiss Forum for
says Gianni D’Amato laughing, “the benefit
“You need access to data in these countries, you need context knowledge, you need to know the political system, and you need to
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
be known in a country for a successful SOM – Support and opposition to
knowledge transfer from research to politics
migration. A cross national comparison of
and society in general”, says Gianni D’Amato.
the politicization of migration
SOM is not a one-university-show, and being
Research Area:
SSH-2007-5.1-01
a coordinator is not a one-man-show: “I have
Coordinator:
Prof. Gianni D’Amato
a lot of support, particularly from my
Coordinating Institution:
University of Neuchâtel
colleague and post-doc researcher Didier
Number of Partners:
7
Ruedin”, says Gianni D’Amato. And “in the
Start Date - End Date
2009/10/01 - 2012/09/30
preparation phase of the project, particularly
Duration
36 months
when we had to plan the budget, Euresearch
Project Cost / Funding:
1.97 million Euro / 1.50 million Euro
was very helpful as well – and still is in
Contract type:
FP7 - Small or medium-scale focused
administrative questions.”
research project FP7 Reference Number:
225522
39
H2020 - Societal Challenges
When worst case scenarios become the default A large scale fire in a city: in case of such a crisis, governments have to know exactly what they have to do and how – fast. As part of the BRIDGE project, VSH, a Swiss SME, helps them to prepare for such scenarios. The Bridge project deals with
resources to coordinate such a big
scenarios most people would
project. But instead of giving up,
rather not think about: fires in
they let bigger partners coordinate
tunnels, earthquakes, floods.
the project (SINTEF, Norway and
The project looks for ways to
FIT) and took over the leadership of
save as many lives as possible
two Work Packages. For Maximilian
in such situations. One major
Wietek from VSH’s Research &
partner in this 19-million Euro
Technology
project is a middle-size Swiss
projects have two major advantag-
company,
es: “First, up to 75 percent of the
Versuchsstollen
Hagerbach AG (VSH).
department,
such
Maximilian Wietek
costs are paid by the European
Swiss Partner BRIDGE
Commission”.
Big business for a small company During an info day on the FP7 Security theme, VSH came to know the Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Informationstechnik (FIT). The two companies decided to collaborate and
“We can now involve our clients in such projects and act as advisors, which is excellent for customer loyalty.”
developed the idea for BRIDGE. Over time,
ABOUT THE PROJECT When an earthquake destroys a densely populated area governments have to have, collect and share relevant data on the crisis: Where is help most important, who can help? They have to be able to access the data in a comprehensible form when and where they need them. And they have to have people who are trained to do what needs to be done. Bridge develops technical and organizational means
to
help
them
meet
these
necessities. They do this by crossdisciplinary research and development (engineering,
IT,
human
behaviour,
medicine). Moreover, by involving active end-users, Bridge ensures that it develops solutions that are accepted by and work for those who will use them.
clients in such projects and act as advisors, which is excellent for customer loyalty.” Persistence needed However, there are also problems for SMEs regarding FP7 projects: the negotiation and
the idea for the project grew bigger and big-
Second, having experience with the Frame-
implementation phase takes longer than
ger, and VSH realized that it did not have the
work Programmes, we can now involve our
usual and bills can take years to be settled. “As an SME, it is not self-evident that you can afford
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
BRIDGE
Research Area:
FP7 Security - Restoring security and safety in case of crisis.
SME Project Partner:
Versuchsstollen Hagerbach AG (VHS), Switzerland
Coordinator:
SINTEF, Norway
Start Date:
2011/02/01
End Date:
2015/01/31
Duration:
48 months
Project Cost:
19.3 million Euros
Project Funding:
13.6 million Euros
Contract type:
FP7: Integration Project
such
projects”,
Maximilian
As regards the planning and the finding of partners, he describes the process similar to people
in
earlier
success
stories:
VSH had a vision, collaborated with FIT on planning the project designed for a specific FP7 call, and once the plan was advanced enough, it was not a problem to find partners who liked to join the project. And Maximilian Wietek adds that Euresearch is extremely helpful when it comes to advice on European funds: “They are on one of our speed-dial buttons, so to speak.”
40
says
Wietek.
H2020 - Societal Challenges
Coordinating a project: an exciting challenge The Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT) is participating for the first time in an EU project – and decided not only to contribute but to go a step further and coordinate it.
ABOUT THE PROJECT Chemicals
can
pose
risks
for
the
environment in general and for people in particular. Typically, the corresponding risk
assessments
are
conducted
independently from each other, which can be detrimental to both efficiency and quality of risk assessments. At the same
The project that the SCAHT coor-
would this mean in practice and
dinates is called HEROIC. It aims
can we actually do it?”. After
to better integrate data on risks
consultation with and encour-
of various substances for both
agement from the University of
people and the environment.
Basel and Euresearch Regional
For the members of the Centre,
Office, they decided to do it,
the story began when partners
enlisting the help of experts
from
projects
from the Zurich-based agency
data but to collect, organize and share
approached them and asked
Eurelations AG to coordinate
existing knowledge. Sharing knowledge
whether
be
the submission process. And
will be encouraged and facilitated by the
interested to jointly submit a
so far, what they have been told
data and training platform “Tox-Hub”
turned out to be true: coordi-
that HEROIC aims to set up.
previous they
would
project proposal to the European Commission. But when the
Prof Martin Wilks University of Basel HEROIC Coordinator
time, the need for risk assessments is increasing, and there is a clear move to reduce the number of animal tests. Therefore, HEROIC aims to promote the integration of human health and environmental risk assessments. The goal of this project is not to generate new
nating such a project is not a walk in the park, but it’s not
partner who initially wanted to coordinate the project withdrew,
…and coordination is rewarding
SCAHT was asked to also act as coordinator – and to write the project proposal.
“As an institution that coordinates an EU project, you do get noticed.”
Coordination isn’t rocket science…
So it turned out that the Centre was able to coordinate a project, but why did they want to? “Well, it was the appeal of the challenge. Also, you are taking the lead and, above all,
Before writing the proposal and – should
rocket science either. Despite a steep learn-
you not only are in contact with the project
the proposal be successful – embarking on
ing curve, “so far we haven’t regretted it”,
partners but with the other stakeholders as
the coordination of the project, the mem-
says coordinator Martin Wilks.
well. As an institution that coordinates an EU
bers of the Centre asked themselves “what
project, you do get noticed”, says Martin Wilks. For an institution like the SCAHT such
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
increased visibility is particularly valuable, as HEROIC – Health and Environmental Risks: Organisation, Integration and Cross-fertilisation of Scientific Knowledge
Research Area:
FP7-Environment
Organisation:
University of Basel, SCAHT – Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology
Start Date - End Date:
01.10.2011 – 30.09.2014
Duration:
36 months
Project Cost:
1 310 234 Euros
Project Funding:
980 728 Euros
Project Reference:
246005
it was set up only four years ago with funding from
the
Swiss
Confederation
at
the
Universities of Basel, Geneva and Lausanne to
provide
risk
assessment
advice
to
regulatory authorities, carry out applied research and set up educational programmes in human toxicology. The involvement in such a project is also a recognition of the SCAHT’s competence, and collaboration with partners from abroad is indispensable for the Centre to achieve its objectives in Switzerland.
41
H2020 - Societal Challenges
EnviroGRIDS enables informed decisions about water use EnviroGRIDS is building the capacities to assess and predict the vulnerability and sustainability of water resources in the catchment area of the Black Sea. The project coordinator, Anthony Lehmann (University of Geneva), says that neither coordination nor getting funds is easy, but well worth the effort. Lehmann
coordinating team, he says. But
seems to be highly satisfied
once the aims of the Work-Package
with
He
Tasks are clear (“Work Packages”
a
are the smaller organizational units
coordinator as “interesting”,
of the project as a whole), and once
“stimulating” and “exciting”.
the partners feel proud of being a
EnviroGRIDS is funded under
part of the project, the coordination
the
becomes easier. Coordinating such
So
far,
Anthony
the
EnviroGRIDS.
describes
the
7th
of
Framework
Programme European
role
(FP7)
of
Commission.
involves
around
a project, also requires quite a lot
the It 100
Dr Anthony Lehmann EnviroGRIDS Coordinator
of administrative work. But after the project proposal had been
researchers across 27 organizations and 15
accepted, Anthony Lehmann could hire a full-
countries, making it possible to “learn so
time manager, Nicolas Ray,
many new things”, as Lehmann puts it.
“Being the coordinator of this project is very interesting, stimulating and exciting.”
Motivation as the key to success Coordinating the work of so many
ABOUT THE PROJECT EnviroGRIDS collects information about the state of water resources in the catchment area of the Black Sea. It aims at providing an infrastructure to enter, store and process this information and share it in adequate forms with scientists, policymakers and the population of the Black Sea catchment area. It will produce models and scenarios to analyze the human impacts on the environment in the past, present and future. By such a datadriven view of the area, EnviroGRIDS aims to assist governments and communities to track environmental trends in the Black Sea catchment area and respond to the resulting possible risks to human health, biodiversity,
agriculture
and
energy
supply. the project is unduly restricted by the regulations of FP7. Persistence as the key to getting funds Another difficult task was getting funds in the first place: Lehmann’s first attempt to get funds
was
not
successful,
but
when
individuals is a difficult task, which requires
who now deals with most of the administrative
Euresearch presented FP7 in Geneva, he saw
a
work. All in all, Lehmann does not feel that
a new chance. “Euresearch was very helpful
lot
of
personal
investment
of
the
during the process of preparing the proposal”, says Lehmann.
FACTS AND FIGURES Project Name:
EnviroGRIDS – Building Capacity for a Black
Networking opportunities
Sea Catchment Observation and
Apart from money, FP7 provides another vital
Assessment System supporting Sustainable
resource: visibility. “EnviroGRIDS has also
Development
given us more visibility”, says Lehmann. With
Research Area:
ENV.2008.4.1.4.1.
the University of Geneva, he is already
Coordinator:
Dr Anthony Lehmann
involved in another FP7 project and has been
Institution:
Université de Genève
asked to join another project. Furthermore,
Start Date:
2009/04/01
he has the opportunity to present EnviroGRIDS
End Date:
2013/03/01
to
Duration:
48 months
researchers, which is a huge opportunity for
Project Cost / Funding:
7.90 million Euros / 6.22 million Euros
networking building. “I don’t think that we
Contract type:
SICA
would
Reference Number:
226740 (FP7 - Environment)
EnviroGRIDS.”
42
both
be
decision-makers
where
we
are
and
now
other
without
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