Research within priority sectors

Programme Summary

Why is the programme needed? Investments in research and innovation are widely acknowledged as being crucial drivers for economic growth, for job-creation and to secure social and economic welfare. Romania is among the countries in Europe with the lowest investments in research in relation to GDP, and still far below the EU average. What will the programme achieve? The two objectives of the programme is to enhance research-based knowledge development in Romania through research cooperation between Romania and the EEA States Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The research programme places itself well within overall strategies in Europe, like Europe 2020, the Innovation Union and the and the new research programme of the European Union, Horizon 2020. The programme will increase high quality research cooperation across borders, and thus contribute to the objectives of the European Research Area. The programme will fund collaborative research projects in the following areas:

• Social sciences and the humanities

• Health and food safety

• Environmental protection and management

• Renewable energy

Up to € 3 mill will be set aside to fund collaborative research projects within the area of renewable energy. Minimum 20 per cent of the funding available for projects will be set aside to fund collaborative projects in the social sciences and the humanities. There is estimated to be around 20 joint research projects, with an average of around 3 researcher partners in every project, as well as 50 postdocs/and or PhD students participating. 60 internationally refereed scientific journals are expected to be produced as part of this programme, and 5 patent applications. How will it be achieved? There will be one major call resulting in the selection of high quality research projects. The aim is to support 3 year projects, with a minimum project financing amount of € 500.000 and a maximum amount of €1.500.000 How will the bilateral relations be strengthened? Cooperation between researchers in Romania and at least one research institution from the EEA States is mandatory in every project. The programme will increase cooperation between research institutions in common areas of interest in the collaborating countries, and also strengthen ties and sharing of experience between research funding institutions in Romania and the Donor States. What are the partnership opportunities? Partnership is mandatory in all research projects supported by this programme. Who can apply for funding? Research organizations as defined in the Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development and Innovation 82006/C323/01) can apply for funding as promoters and partners. Small and medium-sized enterprises provided they cooperate with a research organisation can participate as partners. Only Romanian entities can apply as project promoters. All projects must have at least one partner from the Donor States.