01.05.2007 - Bulletin No:12

Contents:

 

Open Workshops

Final Model Grant Agreement is Published

Draft Guide to FP7 Financial Issues is available now

Handbook on Evaluation and Selection of Proposals released

SMEs and the 60% Derogation rate

STREPs in ICT have only three permitted cost categories

FP7 Free eBook – Major Updates

EPSS

Workpackages and different Activities

Proposal Ethical Issues

 

Open Workshops:

08/05/2007     1 Day FP7 Financial Workshop in Brussels, Belgium. – Last places left.

The workshop is aimed at project managers and is particularly relevant to anyone who wants to understand the FP7 Financial Rules and how to report correctly as applied to the Cooperation Theme.

 

09/05/2007     2 Day Proposal Writing Workshop in Brussels, Belgium. – Last places left.

The workshop is aimed at people from organisations who are interested in taking part in an FP7 project proposal. The workshops shortcut the learning curve for writing a quality proposal with a higher chance of success and cover such areas as: background reading and considerations before you begin; detailed discussion of the “do’s and don’ts” of each proposal section; budgetary and other financial considerations.

 

This workshop is an interactive workshop with the participants acting as evaluators in order to best understand what makes a good or a bad proposal.

 

14/05/2007     2 Day in-depth FP7 Financial Workshop in Brussels, Belgium – Fully booked.

 

11/06/2007     2 Day in-depth FP7 Financial Workshop in Brussels, Belgium

The workshop will teach attendees how to interpret and implement the new rules of FP7 as applied to the Cooperation Theme. This is key in enabling them to understand and implement their own, or their clients’ financial responsibilities and options in applying for and undertaking an EU RTD project.

This workshop will be conducted by experienced qualified accountants and Project Managers.

 

Final Model Grant Agreement is Published:

The separate model grant agreements have been adopted for the 'Cooperation' and 'Capacities', 'People' (Marie Curie) and for the 'Ideas' (European Research Council) Specific Programmes. They have all now been published. It is important that you refer to the correct ones.

 

To access the any or all of the agreements for the Finance Helpdesk, please click here. Downloading requires registration once with the Finance Helpdesk (not to be confused with your registration to the EFP Consulting Website).

 

Draft Guide to FP7 Financial Issues is available now:

In FP6 there were “Financial Guidelines”. In FP7 this document is replaced with the “Guide to Financial Issues”. Please note that this is only a draft with many sections missing or requiring modification. However, it is an excellent document and we highly recommend you read it. 

 

To access the any or all of the guides from the Finance Helpdesk, please click here. Downloading requires registration once with the Finance Helpdesk (not to be confused with your registration to the EFP Consulting Website).

 

Handbook on Evaluation and Selection of Proposals released:

The Rules for submission of proposals and the related evaluation, selection and award procedures have been released and can be downloaded for the specific calls pages.

 

SMEs and the 60% Derogation rate:

This is very important and has major implications for SMEs.

 

If an Organisation currently only has the ability to calculate their total overhead costs and in order to allocate overheads to specific projects they would have to introduce methods such as the “Simplified Method”, then they could initially use the Transitional Flat Rate of 60% until such methods were in place and in line with their normal accounting methods.

 

According to the above; SMEs that have used FCF in the past may be able to use the 60% Derogation rate.

The key is the organisation having the ability to calculate and allocate overheads to specific projects.

 

STREPs in ICT have only three permitted cost categories:                                      

STREPs in ICT have only three permitted cost categories - R&D, Demonstration and Management. Proposers who plan to include other activities such as dissemination in their project can either put them under the Management category or, if they wish to bear some of the cost themselves, can put them under R&D.

 

Training in an IP project should be included in the cost category Other, as is indicated in the Guide for applicants and in the pop-up note on the A3 form in the EPSS system. The column "Training" which has appeared on the form is an error, figures can't be entered into it, and will be removed.

 

FP7 Free eBook – Major Updates:

Version 1.5 of Mr. Myer W. Morron’s new FP7 ICT Book replaces previously released versions. It now incorporates changes resulting from the Commission latest information on financial issues, especially related to SMEs.  We apologise for these frequent updates, but it is important to communicate latest information.

 

In Version 1.5 is included a Chapter 16 that is a cookbook on how to set up a proposal from the logistical point of view and includes details relating to use of EPSS and the updated version of our CP budgeting Spread sheet.

 

The downloadable book continues to be free as it was in the previous framework programs. The book is constantly updated and registered users are notified of important changes and updates via the website and newsletters.

 

In order to download the book, please register once on the EFPConsulting site if you have not done so already. This registration is free and allows you unlimited access to the book and its updates by logging in.

 

To download, please click here.

 

EPSS:

There are some usage problems with the EPSS system. One particular confusing aspect is that in Form A3.1 when seen on the screen may have several Activity Types faded out, whereas when the form is printed, they all look as being available.

 

These teething problems are common at the start of a Framework Program. If you have any specific problems then we find the EPSS team very helpful.

 

Please note that on Form A3.1 Coordination and Support Activities relate to CSA proposals (Coordination for CA and Support for SA). They should not be confused with Management or Other on STREPs and IPs.

 

Workpackages and different Activities:

In most Guides for Applicants only a single activity type is permitted per Workpackage in proposals.

Please check the one specific for your proposal under Part B description.

 

Proposal Ethical Issues:

It is extremely important that the Ethical Issues aspects are adequately addressed in FP7 Proposals and Projects.

In fact, in FP7 the Ethical Issues are even more important than they were in FP6 at the proposal stage. Proposals that ignore ethical concerns will be rejected.

The implications of the new FP7 stance on Ethical Issues is that all consortia submitting proposals under FP7 have to ensure that their proposal’s ethical concerns must be identified and addressed within the proposal. If proposal does not do this then it will be rejected – the Commission will not give the consortium a chance to submit further information.

However, if a proposal makes a credible attempt to address ethical issues but does not cover all the issues, then clarification may be sought and a the consortium may be given the chance to submit additional information to the Ethical Review Panel and an ethics review will be carried out on the proposal.

 

For more information please click here.