Training of SMEs to Become Successful Coordinators of Framework Programme Projects

Training & Registration

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• More information on Training Sessions

Register to our next free of charge training sessions!

If you are an SME, Small and Medium size Enterprise, currently managing a Framework Programme R&D project or considering coordination of future projects and you would like to learn best practices and tips to run and exploit successful projects, then make sure you register to attend the next free of charge SME-to-LEAD training sessions taking place in 2008.

Coimbra, Portugal, on 12 and 13 June 2008

Download the event information letter.

Download the registration form.

Two modules will be covered:

• Day 1/Module 1 “FP RTD proposal preparation” on 12.06.08
• Day 2/Module 2 “FP RTD Project Management” on 13.06.08

Your NCP contact for the event is Bibiana Dantas at the Agência de Inovação, email bdantas@adi.pt

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, on 17 and 18 June 2008

Download the event information letter.

Download the registration form.

Two modules will be covered:

• Day 1/Module 1 “FP RTD proposal preparation” on 17.06.08
• Day 2/Module 2 “FP RTD Project Management” on 18.06.08

Ádám Molnár at the Hungarian Science and Technology Foundation, email adam.molnar@tetalap.hu.

The SMEtoLEAD Training offering

The training is designed to be taken sequentially, each training module addressing certain aspects of project coordination. For each module you will be presented with the relevant up-to-date information on current issues and each event will also act as a forum for the exchange of best practice ideas. SME will decide on the modules they will attend depending on previous experiences and future participation plans.

There are three modules of training that can be accessed:

Module 1

Proposal preparation to Contract Negotiation

• Overview
• Who is it for?
• Typical agenda

Overview
The objective of Module 1 is to provide an introduction to the Framework Programme. The key focus will be to highlight the extensive support available from the European Commission or other organisations and indicate the specific sources, summarising the purpose and scope of assistance. This will primarily detail the CORDIS service, providing an interactive demonstration and specifically the aspects of support related to co-ordinator and call guidelines and RTD related news and conferences.

The presentation style will focus on easy to understand scenarios from experienced co-ordinators and proposal writers as well as sector specialist presentations and demonstrations providing valuable tools for future reference.
There will also be time for discussion and networking.

Who is it for?
Module 1 is aimed at Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) who are novices to the Framework Programme procedures and coordination of projects or who are planning to prepare a project proposal. The module is however also aimed at SME coordinators just entering contract negotiation (it may be worth having a refresh of FP procedures and where to get help along the way) and those who are interested to find out more about Framework Programme 7 proposal development.

Typical agenda*

* the above agenda is subject to change

Module 2

Project Launch to Mid-term Assessment

• Overview
• Who is it for?
• Typical agenda

Overview
The primary objective for Module 2 is to focus on the project start up phase. All procedures and responsibilities of coordinators will be provided together with the significance of the kick-off meeting. Careful preparation will set a firm basis for establishing the rules, interaction and future activity for the entire project.

Having established effective co-ordinating principles and procedures, the requirements for preparing the Mid Term Assessment will be explained. This will culminate with additional practical information from experienced co-ordinators and Project Technical Advisors (PTAs) presenting an overview of typical problems encountered and ways of efficiently handling them.

Who is it for?
Module 2 is the ideal follow up for attendees of Module 1. However this module is also available and most suited to Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) coordinators who have recently been awarded either FP6 or FP7 projects. Module 2 will help coordinators understand the procedures for project management from project launch until mid-term assessment stage.

Typical agenda*

* the above agenda is subject to change

Module 3

Mid-term Assessment to Completion

• Overview
• Who is it for?
• Typical agenda

Overview
The third module will reinforce the importance and relevance of the commercial outputs from framework projects, and demonstrate ways in which these can be successfully achieved to ensure that results can be fully exploited for wider EC benefit. Following the Mid Term assessment, it may be necessary to make changes to the project, this could include revisions to the work plan, partnership or both. The procedures and implications for these will be reviewed again with practical illustrations from actual projects.

A particular focus will be on the Plan for Use and Dissemination of the Knowledge, and the importance of planning the exploitation process, roles, outputs and dissemination. This workshop will illustrate the requirements of project coordinators to manage and report the project to the Commission, including final administrative procedures, and commercial exploitation. An initial comparison between FP6 and FP7 terminology and rules for IPR use will be examined in the first sessions of S2L training, during the transition period between the two programmes.

When approaching the conclusion of the funded project stages, coordinators need to be aware of and/or implement the following aspects:

• Confirm technical objectives of project
• Demonstrate Critical success factors
• Formalise plans for ongoing exploitation and dissemination beyond the project
• Agree the detailed management procedures
• Establish final cost benefits and confirm final impact expectations

Who is it for?
Module 3 is only available to module 2 attendees. It is ideal for SME project coordinators at the later stage of a project, to understand the procedures for the final report including exploitation and technological implementation plan.

Typical agenda*

* the above agenda is subject to change