The Aero SME Project a tool for SMEs

The Aero. SME Project a tool for SMEs Paola Chiarini Project Manager Aero. SME Bordeaux, 17 th January 2003 European Association of Aerospace Industries

Table of Contents 1 The Aero. SME Project 2 How to participate in EU projects: some tips 2

Aero. SME is a joint activity between the aerospace industry and the European Commission Objectives 1. Support and improve SMEs participation in EU funded aeronautic RTD projects 2. Facilitate co-operation among SMEs and with aeronautics related bodies in order to improve SMEs position in the supply chain 3

Aero. SME Background Ø 20 countries participate in Aero. SME: 20 countries Ø 15 EU Member States, Czech Republic, Iceland, Israel, Norway and Switzerland Ø Activities envisaged also in the New Accession States Ø It targets SMEs, but SMEs • not limited to AECMA members • medium companies which are not SMEs under the EU definition will be assisted where possible • Research Centres, Universities and other organisations can participate 4

Aero. SME Services & Activities 1. SME Database 2. Newsletters 3. Helpdesk 4. Website 5. Workshops 6. Support to research project proposals 5

Aero. SME Database www. aerosme. com/ ò To date: nearly 600 entries on it entries ò Why to use the Aero. SME database? 7 to find partners for European RTD projects 7 to find partners for joint commercial activities ò The Aero. SME database is free and has a high visibility in the free visibility Aeronautics Industry and the Commission To register: fill in the Aero. SME Questionnaire ò Registration on-line ò by e-mail, fax, post 6

Aero. SME Newsletter and R&TD Project Flash What type of info? How? Brief info on: Q Q Q invitations to events / conferences delivery dates for proposals by e-mail TO: registered SMEs, National / Regional Associations, Points of Contact relevant R&TD possibilities new trends partner searches / information on projects for which partners (and other types of co-operation) are sought => over 700 recipients 7 on Aero. SME website

Aero. SME Other services and activities F HELPDESK å Facilitate passage of information to SMEs å Provide a free-of-charge consulting service Ø WEB SITE www. aerosme. com ò WORKSHOPS ò In 20 countries ò To disseminate information and develop networking opportunities 8

Aero. SME Support to Research Project Proposals * Individual consulting * Partner search * Support to the initial setting up of a proposal * Support to project proposals in view of the 1 st call of FP 6: åIP proposals to be submitted by Industry => IPs ålists of proposals are circulated in order to facilitate the aggregation of SMEs around common project ideas and the setting up of consortia => STREPs and CRAFT http: //www. aerosme. com/asp/pps 1. asp http: //www. aero-scratch. net/projects/on-going. html 9

Table of Contents 1 The Aero. SME Project 2 How to participate in EU projects: some tips 10

Why and how to join a project? Ø Applicant SME’s must be aware of pros and cons of EU research and joining IP’s particularly Ù EU research does not suit all companies Ù All projects should be part of the strategic development plan of the company Ø Each company has to find the right niche in an IP’s work programme Ø A company must apply to become a partner with a short technical offer to the co-ordinator. A brochure or the expression of a general interest is not sufficient! 11

Company Strategy: What is needed ? To make best use of EC funding you need a clear company Strategy! – What is it you want to achieve ? n New technologies for a (new) product ? Build up? n Find partner(s) for a joint venture? n Get experience & reputation in European co-operation n You need new technologies or a RTD performer* ? n You want to strengthen the relationship with customer(s) ? n Work as developer (50%) ? Preferably as subcontractor (100%) ? * A „RTD Performer“ develops new technology for you; see CRAFT projects 12

EU Projects: How to get involved ? Finding opportunities for participation in projects requires a proactive and continuous effort. n Be proactive (projects will not come to you!) n Contact people, preferably potential project co-ordinator(s) n Utilise existing services, i. e. Aero. SME, SCRATCH n Search for partners in existing projects ! n Participate in match making workshops n Start your own project In making contact with potential project partners n Always respond with concrete technical offers n Be prepared to participate with 25. 000 Euro or more 13

Set up your own project: The milestones Set up a realistic project strategy n Get professional, free support, e. g. Aero. SME, SCRATCH Find a project co-ordinator and additional dedicated partners n You need at least two additional, committed partners Agree project contents; assure financial feasibility n Many project ideas die because of missing finances Write the proposal & meet the closing date of the Call n Be prepared to spend 6+ months for project preparation 14

Aero. SME Contact Details Aero. SME Project Office c/o AECMA – European Association of Aerospace Industries Gulledelle 94 -b. 5 B-1200 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 775 82 98 Fax: +32 2 763 35 65 E-Mail: paola. chiarini@aecma. org Web site: www. aerosme. com 15

EU Project Information: The CORDIS server • 0. Framework Programme 6 • Working Programme Aeronautics: http: //www. kowi. de/rp 6/default. htm • Integrated Projects & Networks of Excellence http: //europa. eu. int/comm/research/nfp/networks-ip. html • FAQs and a Fact Sheet on FP 6 http: //europa. eu. int/comm/research/fp 6/index_en. html 1. General Interest • Scholarships: http: //www. cordis. lu/improving/src/rtn_wcome. htm • European Patent Office: http: //www. european-patent-office. org/espacenet/info/index. htm • Register as EU-expert: http: //candidature. cordis. lu/expert-evaluators/ 2. Search the CORDIS databases • Technology Market Place: http: //www. cordis. lu/marketplace/ • Search CORDIS for partners: http: //partners-service. cordis. lu/index. cfm? pgname=Search+for+Partners • Search CORDIS for offershttp: //dbs. cordis. lu/fep/NEW_TM/EN/TM_OFFR_search. html • Partner search for FP 6 http: //www. cordis. lu/fp 6/partners. htm • Search for present and previous research projectshttp: //dbs. cordis. lu/fep/NEW_TM/EN/TM_PROJ_search. html • CORDIS list of funded active aeronautics projects in FP 5 http: //www. cordis. lu/growth/src/proj-fp 5. htm 3. SME Interest • Small & Medium Enterprises in CORDIShttp: //sme. cordis. lu/home/index. cfm • Funding for SMEs in FP 6 http: //sme. cordis. lu/research/fp 6_support. cfm • Search for SME Partners http: //dbs. cordis. lu/cordis-cgi/showsrch? CALLER=SMEADVANCEDSRCH • SME Helpdesk http: //sme. cordis. lu/assistance/sme_helpline. cfm • Intellectual Property Rights - IPR Helpdesk 4. Proposal Preparation • Call for proposals http: //www. cordis. lu/fp 6/calls. htm • Proposal submission service http: //www. cordis. lu/fp 6/subprop. htm 16 .