Choosing the right partners: Norwegian participation in European Framework Programmes

Abstract

The EU Framework Programmes (FPs) constitute large arenas for R&D funding and cooperation with research groups in Europe and beyond. For Norway, participation in the EU Framework Programmes (FP) has become an increasingly important dimension of national R&D and innovation policy. Current national R&D priorities are well harmonized with the European agenda, and the annual contribution to Horizon 2020 constitutes a major national investment. Against this background, it is legitimate to expect a considerable return from the participation, both in economic, scientific and societal terms. This report describes a study where we focus on project consortia and their importance for success, participation and cooperation in EU framework programmes. In large parts of these programmes, joining and composing the right consortium is considered a key factor for success. The main questions behind this study is therefore: What characterises successful consortia in EU framework programmes? To what extent are Norwegian researchers and research groups able to form and join such consortia