1. An open and continuous call for proposals is hereby launched. Unless otherwise specified, 15 September of each year shall be the cut-off date for the submission of proposals for evaluation.
2. Where the Commission, in accordance with Article 41(d) and (e), decides to modify the cut-off date referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article for the submission of proposals, or to launch dedicated calls for proposals, it shall publish that information in the Official Journal of the European Union .
Dedicated calls shall indicate the dates and modalities for the submission, including whether it shall take place in one or two steps, and for the evaluation of the proposals, the priorities, the type of eligible projects as referred to in Articles 14 to 18, where necessary, and the envisaged funding.
3. The Commission shall establish an information package setting-out the detailed rules for participation, the methods of managing proposals and projects, application forms, rules for the submission of proposals, model grant agreements, eligible costs, the maximum financial contribution allowable, methods of payment and the annual priority objectives of the Research Programme.
The Commission shall make the information package public on the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) or corresponding website.
Applications shall be submitted to the Commission in accordance with the rules laid down in the information package, of which a paper copy can be obtained from the Commission on request.
The proposals shall relate to the research objectives laid down in Sections 3 and 4 of Chapter II and, where applicable, to the priority objectives listed in the information package in accordance with Article 25(3) or to the priority objectives defined for the dedicated calls for proposals referred to in Article 25(2).
Each proposal shall include a detailed description of the proposed project and contain full information on objectives, partnerships, including the precise role of each partner, management structure, anticipated results, expected applications and an assessment of anticipated industrial, economic, social and environmental benefits.
The proposed total cost and its breakdown shall be realistic and effective, and the project shall be expected to produce a favourable cost/benefit ratio.
The Commission shall ensure a confidential, fair and equitable evaluation of proposals.
The Commission shall establish and publish a manual for the evaluation and selection of RTD actions.
1. The Commission shall register the proposals received and shall verify their eligibility.
2. The Commission shall evaluate the proposals with the assistance of independent experts.
3. The Commission shall draw up a list of the proposals adopted in order of merit. The ranking list shall be discussed by the relevant Advisory Group.
4. The Commission shall decide on the choice of projects and the allocation of funds. Where the estimated amount of the Community contribution under the Research Programme is equal to or more than EUR 0,6 million Article 41(a) shall apply.
5. The Commission shall, with the assistance of the Technical Groups referred to in Article 24, monitor research projects and activities.
Projects based on selected proposals and measures and actions as specified under Articles 14 to 18 shall form the subject of a grant agreement. Grant agreements shall be based on relevant model grant agreements drawn up by the Commission, taking account, as appropriate, of the nature of the activities concerned.
Grant agreements shall define the financial contribution allocated under the Research Programme on the basis of the eligible costs, as well as the rules concerning cost reporting, the closure of accounts and certificates on financial statements. In addition, they shall provide for provisions on access rights and dissemination and use of knowledge.
1. The Research Programme shall be based on cost-sharing RTD grant agreements. The total financial contribution including any other additional public funding shall conform to the applicable rules on State aid.
2. Public contracts shall be used for the supply of movable or immovable assets, the execution of works or the provision of services which are necessary for the implementation of the support and preparatory actions.
3. Without prejudice to paragraph 1 of this Article, the maximum total financial contribution, expressed as a percentage of the eligible costs defined in Articles 31 to 35, shall be:
(a)
for research projects up to 60 %;
(b)
for pilot and demonstration projects up to 50 %;
(c)
for accompanying measures, support and preparatory actions up to 100 %.
1. The eligible costs shall consist of the following:
(a)
equipment costs;
(b)
staff costs;
(c)
operating costs;
(d)
indirect costs.
2. The eligible costs shall cover only actual costs incurred for the execution of the project under the terms of the grant agreement. Beneficiaries, associated beneficiaries and sub-beneficiaries shall not be entitled to claim any budgeted or commercial rates.
The costs of purchasing or hiring equipment which are directly related to the execution of the project shall be chargeable as direct costs. The eligible costs for the leasing of equipment shall not exceed any eligible costs for its purchase.
The costs of actual hours devoted exclusively to the project by scientific, postgraduate or technical staff and the staff costs of manual workers directly employed by the beneficiary shall be chargeable. Any additional staff costs, such as scholarships, shall require the Commission’s prior written approval. All working hours charged must be recorded and certified.
Operating costs directly related to the execution of the project shall be limited solely to the cost of:
(a)
raw materials;
(b)
consumables;
(c)
energy;
(d)
transportation of raw materials, consumables, equipment, products, feedstock or fuel;
(e)
the maintenance, repair, alteration or transformation of existing equipment;
(f)
IT and other specific services;
(g)
the rental of equipment;
(h)
analysis and tests;
(i)
dedicated workshop organisation;
(j)
certificate on financial statements and bank guarantee;
(k)
protection of knowledge;
(l)
assistance from third parties.
All other expenses, such as overhead costs or overheads, which may arise in connection with the project and which are not specifically identified in the preceding categories including travel and subsistence costs, shall be covered by a flat rate amounting to 35 % of the eligible staff costs as referred to in Article 33.
