An incisive way to help you develop new products and processes for international markets
Are you an innovative business? Would you like to discover more about the potential to develop new products and processes with business partners across mainland Europe? Or would you simply like to find out more about European funding for research and development?
If so, the UHI HI Links Framework Programme 7 (FP7) seminars - 'Breaking Into Europe' - are for you and could offer you a helping hand.
What's involved?
A series of short lunchtime seminars, across the Highlands demystifying the latest European Framework Programme - FP7. From what's involved in putting together an application to what funding is available to help you apply; these seminars will give you access to the experts who have all the answers. There will also be a short talk by a local business at each seminar outlining their experiences in being involved in previous European Framework Programmes; from the benefits they gained to tips and hints for those thinking of applying.
A buffet lunch will be provided at each seminar. For full details of the seminars and how to book please see below.
Seminar 1
Venue: UHI Executive Office, Ness Walk - Inverness
Date: Wednesday 5th March 2008
Time: 12:00 to 13:30 (registration from 11:30 and light buffet to follow)
Video Conferencing Available (To attend by VC, see booking instructions below)
Seminar 2
Venue: Environmental Research Institute - Thurso, Caithness
Date: Thursday 6th March 2008
Time: 12:00 to 13:30 (registration from 11:30 and light buffet to follow)
Video Conferencing Available (To attend by VC, see booking instructions below)
Seminar 3
Venue: Scottish Association for Marine Science - Dunstaffnage, Argyll
Date: Wednesday 26th March 2008
Time: 12:00 to 13:30 (registration from 11:30 and light buffet to follow)
Video Conferencing Available (To attend by VC, see booking instructions below)
Seminar 4
Venue: Horizon Scotland - Forres, Moray
Date: Thursday 27th March 2008
Time: 12:00 to 13:30 (registration from 11:30 and light buffet to follow)
How to Book to Attend?
Places are free, however to give us an indication of numbers for catering please book your place in advance. You can do so online or by contacting us on Tel: 01463 667357 Email: david.chapman@uhi.ac.uk
To attend by video conference please contact David Chapman directly who will make the necessary arrangements
Background Information
What is FP7?
Creating new products and services that convincingly out-perform competitors' offerings is seldom cheap or simple. And that's why smart firms are using new approaches to build business development networks.
With a budget of over €50 billion, Framework Programme 7 (FP7) is the European Union's biggest initiative for funding collaborative research and development projects across Europe. Moreover, it could provide your business with a unique opportunity to build those pan-European supply chains while developing new products for international markets.
FP7 project proposals should be developed by a collaboration of organisations, which may include small to medium-sized enterprises, larger businesses and research institutions. Furthermore, there should be representation of at least three separate EU countries within the consortium.
Involvement in such collaborations can offer your business rich rewards including control over of a wealth of intellectual property borne out of the project, easy-access to highly knowledgeable and skilled partners, as well as the opportunity to develop and promote new products to international customers.
What support is available?
There a number of methods of support for those to submit an application for FP7, both financial and non-financial. One such support mechanism is the:
Scottish Proposal Assistance Fund: Encouraging research and technological development by Scottish businesses
The Scottish Proposal Assistance Fund provides assistance, in the form of a grant, to help applicants develop quality project proposals for submission to the Cooperation, People and Capacities programmes of the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7).
