VALLEYS Open Call #1

Technically, the same consortium can apply with multiple proposals, each addressing a different area. However, this may raise a significant risk of double funding, in case both proposals are accepted. Additionally, the consortium needs to demonstrate capacity to run both projects, with the added complexity of managing overlaps to ensure synergies and avoid double funding. It is advised that consortia select one area that best suits their capacities, expertise, and competences.

No, proposals should select only one of the areas outlined in the topic description. While focusing on one area, however, proposals may also consider complementarities and synergies with other areas in the topic.

The aim of this Area is to establish communities of practice that support wide implementation of Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe. Therefore, consortia are expected to include a balanced variety of partners from public and private sectors.

The topic clearly defines the basic requirements of financial support to third parties: it can only be provided in the form of grants, and the maximum for each third party is EUR 60,000. Such third parties should not be beneficiaries of the project.

FSTP is a mechanism whereby the EU provides funding to an organisation (the grant beneficiary) which, in turn, cascades the funding down to a number of smaller organisations or individuals. Therefore, FSTP grants allow consortia to reach and involve organisations/persons that would not necessarily apply directly for EU grants.

In the context of this topic, applicants may want to provide support to third parties that help the consortium meet the objectives stated in each specific ERA areas. Each area indicates the scope of work and provides indication of the range of actors that should be involved in project activities for maximum impact. The lists provided in the areas are not exhaustive and it is up to applicants to decide on the extent and nature of third-party involvement in project activities.

In addition to the main references regarding financial support to third parties - namely, Annotated Grant Agreement, Articles 6.2.D.1 and Article 9.4PDF and General AnnexesPDF (p. 17) - previous Q&A in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal may provide additional guidance. Please note that past questions serve purely as general guidance. Only the specific provisions laid down in the current call conditions are legally binding.

In principle, it is possible within the make-up of the consortium or via the financial support to third parties (FSTP). However, the decision whether to include partners as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, and/or associated partners in the proposal depends on considerations such as eligibility, operational and financial capacity, and, not least, mutual trust — all of which are essential to ensuring that the project objectives are best achieved.

On the opposite, FSTP is not intended to benefit a pre-identified entity; the consortium must ensure that recipients are selected through an objective and transparent procedure as described in the HE Model Grant Agreement (Articles 6.2.D.1 and Article 9.4). Recipients of financial support do not become party to the Grant Agreement and are not part of the consortium. They do not perform action tasks but the financial support given to them is part of an action task specified in the Description of the Action.

For example, if a consortium considers that a specific partner or partner type is indispensable to achieve project objectives, FSTP may not be the most appropriate tool. Equally for example, if the participation of more third parties of certain organizational types would help meet project objectives (for instance by reaching out more widely than the consortium would), the selection of the most suitable ones via FSTP may help applicants to meet the Call objectives appropriately.

The MLE on research careers, which ended in May 2023 with a final report, addressed the governmental level. It allowed the exchange of good practices by Member States to support national reforms in line with the Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe. While the final report includes recommendations to the governmental level, many of them take into consideration and are relevant for other stakeholders, including at organisational level. Therefore, Area 3 consortia are expected to build on the outcome of the MLE.

Applicants are expected to develop complementarities between the activities they propose and the activities of ongoing RM projects. Applicants are encouraged to consult ongoing projects and their activities on CORDIS. Applicants should be very careful not to incur into double funding, in case they are involved in ongoing Research Management projects. Even where applicants are not members of active consortia in Research Management, proposals should indicate how they intend to avoid duplication and ensure complementarity.