Final Report Summary - COSMOS (Coordination of Space NCPs as a means to optimise services)
Executive summary:
National contact points (NCP) for space provide support to parties interested in participating in the space theme under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Space NCPs from 32 countries worked together in the project COSMOS to improve the overall quality of their support and provide additional services. This was for example done via joint trainings and experience exchange, both on bi- or multilateral basis. Additional services like an FP7 space website (please see http://www.fp7-space.eu/ online) including a help desk on FP7 space and a news service were introduced. Furthermore the partners organized the yearly information days on the FP7 space calls on behalf of the European Commission (EC). Last but not least the event SpaceEU as platform for matchmaking and information on European space was organised with over 450 participants from 38 countries.
Cosmos means an orderly or harmonious system. It originates from the Greek meaning 'order, orderly arrangement, ornaments', and is the antithetical concept of chaos. Yet cosmos also defines the idea underlying the COSMOS support action, which was to bring about an orderly arrangement for the service of NCPs which proved very successful.
COSMOS created a network of space NCPs. With the introduction of space as an independent topic in European Union (EU) Framework Programmes (FP) for Research, which contribute to the implementation of the European Space Policy (ESP), NCPs for space had been set up in almost all EU Member States (MS) and Associated Countries, as well as in certain international partner countries. Whilst some countries have a long history and proud legacies in space activities, others are discovering new opportunities dealing with space in FP7.
Against this backdrop, NCPs participating in COSMOS identified and exchanged good practices, elaborated and conducted training courses for staff, and gathered and provided up-to-date information on space and space relevant topics for the benefit of citizens. Moreover, COSMOS contributed to improving project partner search, making it easier for FP7 applicants to find partners in particular from other countries. This way a more balanced and high quality NCP service for the benefit of new as well as experienced FP7 applicants was ensured, whilst raising awareness of the opportunities space represents for European businesses and organisations - both public and private, and large and small alike.
Project context and objectives:
COSMOS was the first funded NCP space network. Like in other FP7 themes it was based on the successful template of the Information and communications technology (ICT) network IDEALIST. The idea behind such funding was to better balance and to increase the overall quality of the NCP service.
Due to the nature of the project being a networking activity the objectives of the grant agreement were not technically. Most of them were valid for the whole runtime of the project.
The objective of WP 0 was to keep control of the project and steer it on time if corrections in its development were needed.
The objective of WP 1 was to sustainably improve and balance the space NCP services via good practice exchange or transfer, thereby raising the average quality of submitted proposals and lowering the entry barriers for newcomers.
The objective of WP 2 was to establish contacts with relevant Space actors. On the one hand this should help to learn and to inform about actors and programmes relevant for the European space event and on the other hand promote NCPs as well as the FP (and other European space relevant programmes).
The objective of WP 3 was to manage the contact data needed within the project (newsletter, surveys, relationship management and invitations to events).
The objective of WP 4 was to disseminate the information gathered within the framework of the project were it results or information about space related topics. This was aiming at promoting COSMOS and the NCP work in general and serving the NCPs and their clients as a helpful tool because they could learn and hear more about the background of events and calls.
Main objective of WP 5 during the second reporting period was to support consortium building through partner search events. This was achieved by cooperation of space NCPs on information days for the benefit of partner search.
Project results:
The project was a coordination action linking NCPs for space. No foreground resulted from the activities.
Potential impact:
NCPs for space provide support to participants of FP7 space on a national basis. In context of COSMOS this support was put on a cross- and even international level. The service of NCPs eases access to European space funding. Furthermore it links national actors with those from other countries potentially catalysing more than collaboration under FP7 Space. Thus it ideally opens less well connected researchers and industry new opportunities and markets.
Core activity related to this most relevant impact of COSMOS were the events where matchmaking played a major role. Here, the yearly information days organised on behalf of the EC have to be emphasised. The location and venue changed every year aiming at reaching new actors in different regions (Prague, Warsaw, Riga, Surrey). A major event called SpaceEU was organised at the very end of the runtime basing on the experiences and skills gained during the runtime of the project. SpaceEU was organised in Brussels and aimed at matchmaking but also explaining the complex situation of space funding and actors in Europe. Via travel reimbursement a high number of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from less well connected regions were enabled to participate, learn about the European space scene and link with other researchers and actors participating.
The involvement of international partner countries being space faring nations supported raised awareness among those countries and enforced the links with according contact persons. It also provided the opportunity for European participants to learn about those countries' space activities and potential cooperation chances.
National contact points (NCP) for space provide support to parties interested in participating in the space theme under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Space NCPs from 32 countries worked together in the project COSMOS to improve the overall quality of their support and provide additional services. This was for example done via joint trainings and experience exchange, both on bi- or multilateral basis. Additional services like an FP7 space website (please see http://www.fp7-space.eu/ online) including a help desk on FP7 space and a news service were introduced. Furthermore the partners organized the yearly information days on the FP7 space calls on behalf of the European Commission (EC). Last but not least the event SpaceEU as platform for matchmaking and information on European space was organised with over 450 participants from 38 countries.
Cosmos means an orderly or harmonious system. It originates from the Greek meaning 'order, orderly arrangement, ornaments', and is the antithetical concept of chaos. Yet cosmos also defines the idea underlying the COSMOS support action, which was to bring about an orderly arrangement for the service of NCPs which proved very successful.
COSMOS created a network of space NCPs. With the introduction of space as an independent topic in European Union (EU) Framework Programmes (FP) for Research, which contribute to the implementation of the European Space Policy (ESP), NCPs for space had been set up in almost all EU Member States (MS) and Associated Countries, as well as in certain international partner countries. Whilst some countries have a long history and proud legacies in space activities, others are discovering new opportunities dealing with space in FP7.
Against this backdrop, NCPs participating in COSMOS identified and exchanged good practices, elaborated and conducted training courses for staff, and gathered and provided up-to-date information on space and space relevant topics for the benefit of citizens. Moreover, COSMOS contributed to improving project partner search, making it easier for FP7 applicants to find partners in particular from other countries. This way a more balanced and high quality NCP service for the benefit of new as well as experienced FP7 applicants was ensured, whilst raising awareness of the opportunities space represents for European businesses and organisations - both public and private, and large and small alike.
Project context and objectives:
COSMOS was the first funded NCP space network. Like in other FP7 themes it was based on the successful template of the Information and communications technology (ICT) network IDEALIST. The idea behind such funding was to better balance and to increase the overall quality of the NCP service.
Due to the nature of the project being a networking activity the objectives of the grant agreement were not technically. Most of them were valid for the whole runtime of the project.
The objective of WP 0 was to keep control of the project and steer it on time if corrections in its development were needed.
The objective of WP 1 was to sustainably improve and balance the space NCP services via good practice exchange or transfer, thereby raising the average quality of submitted proposals and lowering the entry barriers for newcomers.
The objective of WP 2 was to establish contacts with relevant Space actors. On the one hand this should help to learn and to inform about actors and programmes relevant for the European space event and on the other hand promote NCPs as well as the FP (and other European space relevant programmes).
The objective of WP 3 was to manage the contact data needed within the project (newsletter, surveys, relationship management and invitations to events).
The objective of WP 4 was to disseminate the information gathered within the framework of the project were it results or information about space related topics. This was aiming at promoting COSMOS and the NCP work in general and serving the NCPs and their clients as a helpful tool because they could learn and hear more about the background of events and calls.
Main objective of WP 5 during the second reporting period was to support consortium building through partner search events. This was achieved by cooperation of space NCPs on information days for the benefit of partner search.
Project results:
The project was a coordination action linking NCPs for space. No foreground resulted from the activities.
Potential impact:
NCPs for space provide support to participants of FP7 space on a national basis. In context of COSMOS this support was put on a cross- and even international level. The service of NCPs eases access to European space funding. Furthermore it links national actors with those from other countries potentially catalysing more than collaboration under FP7 Space. Thus it ideally opens less well connected researchers and industry new opportunities and markets.
Core activity related to this most relevant impact of COSMOS were the events where matchmaking played a major role. Here, the yearly information days organised on behalf of the EC have to be emphasised. The location and venue changed every year aiming at reaching new actors in different regions (Prague, Warsaw, Riga, Surrey). A major event called SpaceEU was organised at the very end of the runtime basing on the experiences and skills gained during the runtime of the project. SpaceEU was organised in Brussels and aimed at matchmaking but also explaining the complex situation of space funding and actors in Europe. Via travel reimbursement a high number of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from less well connected regions were enabled to participate, learn about the European space scene and link with other researchers and actors participating.
The involvement of international partner countries being space faring nations supported raised awareness among those countries and enforced the links with according contact persons. It also provided the opportunity for European participants to learn about those countries' space activities and potential cooperation chances.