Call for proposals
Horizon 2020 programme - “SOFT Innovation Prize” - Prize-Innovation-SOFT-2018
Objective and description
Horizon
Prizes are 'challenge' prizes (also known as ‘inducement’ prizes)
offering a cash reward to whoever can most effectively meet a defined
challenge. The aim is to stimulate innovation and come up with solutions
to problems that matter to European citizens.
Fusion research encompasses innovation
in the domains of physics and technology over a wide variety of
specialisations. Fusion researchers are constantly challenging the
scientific state-of-the-art and improving the technology thereby
creating the conditions for innovation, much of which can be exploited
in other science and industrial sectors for the benefit of society. A
fundamental basis of Horizon 2020 is the drive and support for
innovation across the product development chain from research to market.
In this context the researcher plays a critical role.
The SOFT Innovation Prize is being offered to highlight
and reward the excellence in innovation that can be found in fusion
research as well as the quality of the researchers and industries
involved. Following the successful running of this contest in
coordination with SOFT 2014 and 2016 (Symposium on Fusion Technology),
the European Commission is holding the contest again in coordination
with the next SOFT in 2018. There are no specific categories for this
prize. Contestants are free to submit an application concerning any
physics or technology innovation that has been or is being developed in
magnetic confinement fusion research and that has a market potential or
has been taken up (or recognised) by industry to be further developed
for the market.
Expected results
By awarding the ‘SOFT Innovation Prize’, the Commission will showcase
innovations in this research sector giving visibility to the most
dynamic, forward-looking and innovative researchers, research teams or
industrial contestants. This visibility will provide greater potential
for valorisation of the research, and the contest will stimulate the
research community globally and in the EU to develop a stronger
innovation and entrepreneurial culture in fusion research.
Eligible applicants
The contest is open to any legal entity (including natural persons) or group of legal entities established in an EU Member State or in a country associated to Horizon 2020.
Please
also be aware that participants that have already received an EU or
Euratom prize cannot receive a second prize for the same activities.
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. The participants will be jointly responsible and
must all fulfil and respect the conditions set out in these Rules of
Contest.
Members of consortium are not required to conclude a consortium agreement.
Budget and duration
A total budget of 87 500 EUR is available for this prize, offering 3 (three) awards as follows:
- 50 000 EUR for the first prize
- 25 000 EUR for the second prize
- 12 500 EUR for the third prize
Deadline for proposals’ submission
The deadline for submitting applications is 8 March 2018 at 17:00:00 CET.
Further information
Please find attached the call documents.
In case of questions, please contact RTD-FUSION@ec.europa.eu.
More information: https://tinyurl.com/y7j7ctl8
Kind regards,
Ioanna
Ioanna Asimakaki
Erasmus+ Trainee
European Office of Cyprus
Rue du Luxembourg 3, 2nd floor
B-1000, Brussels
Tel/Fax: +32 (0) 2 280 22 85
E-mail: eoc.brussels3@ucy.ac.cy
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