Centres/Networks of European research and innovation

To establish new centres, or networks of centres, in close cooperation with local technology and innovation structures located in third countries and regions.

A maximum of three proposals will be supported including one for India and one for Africa. These centres/networks will engage in activities with a focus depending on the country/region addressed, including activities such as:

• Providing services such as incubator co-working space, advice and support directly to European innovators that want to soft-land in the partner country/region and/or to engage in co-creation with local innovators;
• Building/linking to an eco-system of stakeholders including early adopters, potential customers, partners etc. in the country/region;
• Supporting the transfer and internationalisation of demonstrated technologies and know-how, both to and from the country/region;
• Launching local market development programmes to deploy European technology;
• Offering mentorship, training and promoting staff exchange to increase capacities of innovators;
• Leveraging private and public investors’ resources to sustain the activities of the centre(s).

The proposed work should seek to establish the centres/networks in cooperation with local actors based on a sound business plan that is expected to include clear commitments from multiple funding sources, such as corporates, investors, or local governments making available soft-landing spaces. The business plan and the intended governance (including type of legal entity to be established) shall be presented as part of the proposal. The involvement of European and local incubators or accelerators must be described.

Each proposal shall target one country or region that is an emerging or developing technology or innovation partner; proposals addressing India and all or part of Africa are strongly encouraged without excluding other countries with similar characteristics.

For India, the centre(s) should target mature start-ups and SMEs from both Europe and India and promote matchmaking for adaptation of European technologies and innovative solutions to the Indian context.

For Africa the centre(s) with the network of incubators and accelerators should target at least five sub-Saharan African countries, build on existing local incubators and accelerators, and focus on technology transfer/adaptation (from Europe to Africa or vice-versa), staff exchanges and training.

Consortia are expected to include business development as well as technology expertise in the target country or region and ensure adequate involvement of European stakeholders from existing structures in the addressed countries/regions. Proposals should build on previous work of bilateral and regional international cooperation projects where appropriate.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting an EU contribution of around EUR 2-3 million for a duration of 3-4 years would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Under this topic, legal entities established in the target country/region are eligible for funding from the Union.

Eligibility and admissibility conditions: Under this topic, legal entities established in the target country/region are eligible for funding from the Union.

To extend the network of (currently three) centres in the world's most dynamic and innovative countries and regions that connect and support European researchers and entrepreneurs globally, in order to establish their presence in third countries and strengthen the position of Europe as a science, technology and innovation leader.

This call topic builds on the results of the 2016 Call topic ENG-GLOBALLY-09-2016, focusing specifically on innovation.

• Reinforced cooperation between European innovators and those of the Union's international partners;
• Higher visibility and prestige for European research and innovation and its actors in international partner countries/regions;
• Stronger presence of European organisations in the innovation environment of the partner country/region;
• Enhanced impact of results from research and innovation projects, including those under Horizon 2020, through increased access to excellence and to markets across the world.