European Commission Launches Horizon Impact Award
Horizon 2020 is the EU’s programme for research and innovation. It will run from 2014-2020 and is the successor to the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
The uptake of research and innovation (R&I) results created under Horizon 2020, and all Framework Programmes, is important for the programme’s success and is instrumental in contributing towards transformative impacts on the economy, society and policymaking.
To illustrate the wider socio-economic benefits of the EU investment in R&I and to encourage project beneficiaries to best manage and utilise their research results, the annual ‘Horizon Impact Award’ has been established to recognise and reward beneficiaries that have successfully demonstrated effective exploitation and uptake of their projects’ R&I results to create value for society.
The prize will be awarded to the entry that best addresses the following cumulative criteria:
From results to societal benefits – Proven linkage between the FP-funded project result(s), uptake of it and creation or societal benefits. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have directly exploited the R&I result or have played an active role in the uptake of the result by third parties. This could include: influencing policy change, commercialisation of a service or product, creating a start-up/spin-off, creation of a new standard, etc. The R&I results should benefit/address a well-defined population/target audience.
Impact – potential longer-term impact for the society, economy, and/or policymaking. Applicants must demonstrate the contribution of their reuse-uptake of research results in solving a societal challenge and generating economic, societal, and environmental or policy impact.
Five winners will be selected by the evaluation jury for their achievements, and each winner will receive €10,000. The prizes will be awarded during the Award Ceremony with a selected audience of high-level representatives and promoters of innovation in industry and public sector. It is expected that the award, through showcasing best practices, will create role models and inspire R&I beneficiaries to use their research results to create value for the society at large.
The contest is open to all legal entities (ie natural or legal persons, including international organisations) or groups of legal entities from FP7 or Horizon 2020 projects that have ended. Joint applications by a group of participants are admitted. In this case, the participants must appoint a ‘lead participant’ to represent them towards the Commission.
Applications should be submitted by the lead participant by the 28 May 2019 deadline.
More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news and policy. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.
