Actions to bridge the divide in European health research and innovation

Date de clôture : 11 avr. 2017  
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Topic Description

Despite serious efforts deployed at national and European level, the European Union sees significant internal disparities in terms of research and innovation performance as also identified in the Innovation Union Scoreboard. The disparities are equally present in health research and innovation and this call seeks solutions specifically adapted to this domain.

The European Commission has been funding projects to analyse the roots of the divide in European health research and innovation (HCO-14 2014) and wishes to continue efforts in closing the gap.

Any type of activities that can help less performing countries and regions to build capacities and exploit opportunities to eventually increase their participation in EU funded collaborative projects can be supported.

Beneficiaries of the activities should be low performing[[As defined by Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence: Member States below 70% of the EU average of the Composite Indicator of Research Excellence.]] Member States/regions that have identified health R&I as a priority in their Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3). Applicants shall seek synergies with European Structural and Investment Funds, the operational programmes and support from managing authorities.

The proposals will propose concrete measures for tackling structural barriers to health research and innovation, including those related to capacity, skills, policy, regulatory environment, and economic and socio-cultural factors including gender equality issues and gender dimension in research content.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 1 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

The action should demonstrate good practice on how synergies between Structural Funds and Horizon 2020 can be exploited in the health R&I domain. This shall contribute to increased Horizon 2020 participation of low performing regions.