The currently open call "Research to Innovation (R2I)" offers researchers and innovators from all scientific fields related to one of the challenges: Health, demographic change and wellbeing; Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research, and the bio-economy; Secure, clean and efficient energy; Smart, green and integrated transport; Inclusive, innovative and secure societies; Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials) can submit proposals (FP7/CSA, 100% funding of direct costs) to get involved with different stakeholders along the value chain, in particular industry, industry associations, science parks, specialists for risk analysis, clusters, etc. to promote networking, to facilitate exploitation of research results, e.g. through the organization of brokerage events.

The actions shall support interaction to develop innovative services and products, promote technological transfer based on mutual understanding and learning, based on mutual benefit and improve competencies, promoting exchange of best practices, twinnings, training, exchange of staff, mobility schemes.

Other possible activities include innovation support services (technical assistance on e.g. market and risk assessment, access to risk capital, Intellectual Property Rights issues, business plan, compliance with standards, innovation management skills) to organizations from Member States and/or Associated Countries and ENP countries already engaged in or wishing to develop partnerships.

Overall the actions aim to support young and innovative companies who are interested to engage and invest, and to help these organisations e.g. also with technical assistance on non-technical issues (risk analysis, IPR, networking, etc.)

The budget is 1 mio euro per project max. for minimum of 2 participants from EU Member States and Associated Countries (including e.g. Switzerland, Norway, Serbia, Macedonia, Moldova, etc.) and a minimum of 2 participants from the targeted ENP region (Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus or Georgia). Also from these minimum of 4 participations 2 should be research representatives and 2 representatives from industry/business companies (e.g. associations, chambers of commerce, incubators, etc.)

Deadline is December 18, 2012.

Further information on the call is available in the attachment and via the EC Participant Portal Call page.

ZSI, in the frame of its projects such as BILAT UKR*AINA, has many contacts to the target region and together with its project partners (National Information Points in the region) is available to support your partner search. If you are interested in this offer, please contact Ms. Elke Dall (dall@zsi.at) and Ms. Gabriela Cikikyan (cikikyan@zsi.at).