Participating in FP6 An SMEs view

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Participating in FP6An SMEs view

• Industry views of the structure of Integrated
  Projects (IPs) and the possibilities for
  participation of SMEs and NAS partners.
• Presented by Dr Diana Hodgins MBE, ETB Ltd

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Diana Hodgins

• Diana Hodgins,MD of ETB, 10 person company
  specialising in Microsystem Design. Expertise in
  MST, could be relevant to other sectors.
• Project manager for a Design House consortium
  under Europractice.
• Co-ordinator of NEXUS Medical Devices USC, 100
  members, with LEs, academics and around 70 SMEs.
• Director and owner of the Codicote Innovation
  Centre.

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IPs in Framework 6

• New opportunities for SMEs in IPs,
• These opportunities help both the SMEs and the EU
  community.
• IPs are strategic projects to address significant
  objectives that exist on a European and worldwide
  level.
• What is required in an IP
• They require a multi-disciplined group of
  researchers, designers, manufacturers and end
  users
• Grouping a range of technologies and sub projects
  will be required to achieve the objectives.
  These are unlikely to come from a few select
  partners.
• A long term strategy is required, with both
  medium and long term goals.

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The structure of Integrated Projects (IPs)

• Flexibility will exist within an IP, provided
  that the overall objectives are met. Hence,
• Detailed sub projects will evolve these may also
  produce technologies for applications outside the
  IP
• New partners can be brought in during the
  project.
• Interaction between IP and Networks of Excellence
  is acceptable, and possibly will be encouraged.
• Interaction between the sub projects will be
  required to achieve the overall objectives of the
  IP

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The type of SME likely to participate in IPs

• Main
• Typically SMEs will be innovators who invest in
  RD. Risk will be acceptable in their new
  developments. They will also typically be within
  the top 5 of companies in terms of innovation.
  NAS partners should meet the same criteria.
• Peripheral
• Alternative activities include dissemination,
  exploitation, take-up, training, studies etc.
  These will have slightly different criteria, but
  will still require entrepreneurial SMEs.

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What SMEs can offer in IPs

• The most likely scenario is
• A number of SMEs will work with a number of LEs.
• Some SMEs may act in a sub contract role to the
  LEs, whilst others will act as partners.
• SMEs offer specific expertise in their niche
  areas. This expertise will be integrated into
  IPs, possibly within sub projects .

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Generic Example of an IP Roadmap
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Examples of Micro Sensors and Medical Systems
Drop Foot Stimulator (Sub Project) Acceleromete
r (component of a sub project) Angular Rate
Sensor (component of a sub project) Long Term
Catheter (Sub Project)
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Benefits that SMEs bring to IPs

• Highly skilled and motivated SMEs will endeavour
  to achieve the sub project goals.
• SMEs will have the vision to turn innovation into
  commercial products.
• Deliverables with a strong exploitation route
  will result from the sub project. Those for
  niche markets will be exploited by the SMEs.
• Sub projects meet mid term objectives and also
  suit strategy of SMEs.
• SMEs are adept at finding new emerging markets,
  as well as the markets defined.

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Benefits that SMEs can gain from IPs

• Forming relationships throughout the supply
  chain.
• Being involved in a longer term strategy in their
  technology and application area. This could help
  them develop their own long term strategy.
• Access to high calibre academics and end users
  who define their requirements from the outset.
• Potential opportunities to exploit other partners
  results into new markets.

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Managing an IP

• The project management requires experience of
  multi-disciplined, EU projects. Likely to be from
  LEs, with SMEs possibly running sub projects.
• IP requirements will be complex, and sub projects
  will be started and completed during the overall
  IP.
• SMEs must try to keep focussed and not change
  direction whilst working on their activity.
• Commitment is required.

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Matters that SMEs should consider

• The SMEs must make sure that their activities are
  not specified by the LEs, particularly if acting
  as a sub contractor to an LE.
• SMEs must ensure that the ownership of
  Intellectual Property Rights enable them to
  exploit their results. This could be into other
  markets as well.

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The EU need to safeguard our investment.

• SMEs can be higher risk than LEs, but also can
  offer higher rewards, particularly in terms of
  diverse exploitation. There is a need for
  compromise
• Bring SMEs more in line with commitment and
  strategy requirements of the EU.
• Encourage EU to modify their approach for SMEs
• Administration and payment for the partners
  should be minimal. Overall co-ordinator should
  take the administrative burden.

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Ways that SMEs could be active in IPs.

• Join a technology or application based cluster
  (e.g NEXUS). If national it needs to have links
  to organisations in other EU countries.
• Encourage the cluster to submit an IP, possibly
  in partnership with LEs and other organisations.
• Find LEs or groups that are submitting proposals
  for IPs that could use their expertise and meet
  their own strategic goals.

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Ways that the EU could help SMEs to become
involved in IPs.

• Encourage activities within an IP to actively
  search for SMEs for sub projects.
• The EU could also be more pro-active, indicating
  the calls looking for partners and be receptive
  to SMEs contacting EU staff directly.
• Support Cordis, and other national contact
  points/ service providers set up to help SMEs
  become involved in FP6.

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ETBs approach

• As an SME we will use our networks which bring us
  in contact with other SMEs, LEs, academics and
  end users.
• We will also use links built up with other
  organisations across the EU through NEXUS and
  Europractice.
• Our aim will be to target any calls for IPs that
  cover MST and medical applications. We will try
  and further the Europractice and NEXUS activities
  within this.

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FP5 to FP6

• FP5 had smaller projects than are planned as IPs
  for FP6. However, STREPs are also being included
  into FP6, which will be comparable to FP5
  projects.
• Projects in FP5 could perhaps be compared to sub
  projects in IPs in FP6.
• The potential scope for SMEs in FP6 is greater
  since IPs will evolve, bringing in expertise as
  and when required.
• The flexibility will be greater, and hopefully
  the time to start activities within the IP will
  be less.

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Summary for SMEs

• BE PRO-ACTIVE
• Define your core expertise, and the innovative
  work your company wants to pursue.
• Look at which calls for IPs are relevant to your
  expertise, and chose accordingly.
• Either use networks, contacts, referrals and
  network events to find partners for the projects
  that you are interested in.
• Or try to join a group already developing an IP.
• Work with your partners to put together a high
  quality project proposal.