What are e-Infrastructures?

e-Infrastructure comes under the Information Communications and Technology Programme and the RI Programme. Calls which appear under the RI Programme for e-Infrastructures are specific.

Support is provided to ICT-based research infrastructure (e-Infrastructure) under the Research Infrastructures part of the Capacities programme. This will build on the success of the GEANT research network and the research-Grids infrastructure supported in FP6 and will provide higher performance computing, data handling and networking facilities for European researchers in all science and technology fields. Coordination between this activity and the ICT theme in the cooperation programme will ensure that the latest and most effective technology is provided to European researchers. Support will also be given to other ICT research infrastructure under the targeted calls of the Capacities programme. These will cover areas such as ICT Living Labs, clean rooms for nano-electronics and Embedded Systems research facilities.
Europe has built a world-class operational communication and computing infrastructure to facilitate scientific research. This e-Infrastructure provides scientists throughout Europe with very high-speed communication networks and powerful computing middleware tools that foster collaboration and promote the shared use of expensive computing and data resources.

Current e-Infrastructure initiatives, such as GÉANT, EGEE and DEISA, enhance European research and development potential by rationalising investments in expensive scientific resources.
Leading edge Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) play a strategic role in changing the way scientists and engineers will work in the future. Networked research communities share computing platforms and advanced applications running next generation protocols.

Can RIs be multiple-sited and single-sited?

RIs may be single-sited (a single resource at a single location); a distributed network (a network of distributed resources), or virtual (the service is provided electronically).

How can I get new users for RIs?

It is recommended that existing research infrastructures elaborate a communication and promotion strategy for the services they propose. The EC recognized that many infrastructures are not well known by the research community and that the challenge is to increase the access at EU or even at worldwide level. National Contact Points and the EC can support research infrastructures by increasing their visibility by facilitating the access of researchers (Mobility programme; Financial assistance to less favored researchers, Cooperation agreements with users of the private sector). 

What are the rules regarding the size of the consortium?

There must be at least three legal entities established in different EU Member States or Associated Countries (the countries concerned are listed in section 3 of the Guide for Applicants). The entities must be independent of each other. A higher number may be specified on a call-by-call basis: check the call fiche. The size, scope and internal organisation of Integrated Infrastructure Initiative (I3) projects can vary from research theme to research theme and from infrastructure type to infrastructure type.

FINANCE

Calculating ‘indirect costs’ for Integrating Activity projects

For Integrating Activities there are two different/separate methods for calculating indirect costs: a) for RTD and management, the organisation has to use the regular calculation method of the organisation (real indirect costs, 20% flat-rate or 60% special transitional flat-rate); b) for Coordination (Networking activities) and Support (Trans-national access and/or service activities) the reimbursement of indirect costs is limited to upto 7% of the direct eligible costs (excluding subcontracting). The funding rate for Coordination and Support is 100% and therefore the indirect costs are restricted in funding scheme "Coordination and Support Action" as well.

Calculating ‘access costs’

Depending on the specificity of a research infrastructure, you have to define the “unit of access” being offered and indicate what is covered and included (e.g. preparatory work, specific training courses) in one unit. Describe the direct eligible costs for providing access to the installation over the project life-time (e.g. personnel costs, maintenance, utilities, consumable costs). To facilitate this, a special excel table is available here.

What about users’ travel costs?

Travel costs and subsistence costs linked to “Trans-national access” are to be mentioned in the line "other direct costs", activity "support". Travel costs are included in the "direct eligible costs of providing access" - as in the table "Calculation of the Unit costs for TA". The explanation gives only examples, not all eligible costs

Eligible costs

First, it is important to distinguish between “Trans-national access” and “Service activities” (see Work Programme for more information). After specifying this one can talk about which costs are eligible (and which excel table one has to use for the calculation). The excel sheets can be found on Cordis. Examples of service costs that can be included:

• Consumables – YES (if direct related to Trans-national access)
• Maintenance – YES
• Utilities – YES
• Equipment necessary for access (e.g. VR glasses) – MAYBE (only if no major costs)
• Subcontracting costs (e.g. IT services provision) – MAYBE (only if direct related to Trans-national access)
• Marketing, printing, brochures, publicity material – NO (this should be included in dissemination/exploitation activities)
  
  PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

What proposal documents have to be submitted?

A proposal has two parts. Part A contains the administrative information about the proposal and the participants. The information requested includes a brief description of the work, contact details and characteristics of the participants, and information related to the funding requested (see Annex 3 of the Guide for Applicants). Part B is a template, or list of headings (see Annex 4 of the Guide for Applicants). You should follow this structure when presenting the scientific and technical content of your proposal. The template is designed to highlight those aspects that will be assessed against the evaluation criteria. It covers, among other things, the nature of the proposed work, the participants and their roles in the proposed project, and the impacts that might be expected to arise from the proposed work.

What is the Participation Identification Code of my organisation?

The Participant Identification Code (PIC) is a 9 digits unique identifier for every validated legal entity. Participants will not have to submit their legal and financial information (and supporting documents) each time they submit a proposal or negotiate a grant agreement, but just their PIC. All organizations that have an FP7 grant agreement have a PIC, which has been communicated to all known contact points for FP7 grant agreements or to the LEAR of your organisation.

Do you have to state a minimum or maximum for the project?

Integrated Infrastructure Initiative (I3) projects are expected to last typically two to four years. However, there is no formal minimum or maximum duration.

PROJECT REPORTING

FP7 financial reporting will be completed using an online reporting tool, although signed original copies will also be required.

The Commission will require that Form C’s are completed online. They will be contacting Project Co-ordinators to provide information on how to register for SESAM which will the allow access to FORCE which is the financial reporting tool.

The Commission has provided a presentation on using FORCE.