European Joint Programme for the Integration of Radiation Protection Research (CONCERT*): lessons learned and perspectives Andrea Ottolenghi** Università di Pavia Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei bandi 2018 EURATOM di Horizon 2020 Roma, 9 febbraio 2018 ENEA, Sala Conferenze - Lungotevere Thaon di Revel, 76 * This project has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 662287 ** Member of the Executive Board of CONCERT and Workpackage leader on Education and Training
Transcript
European Joint Programme for the Integration of Radiation Protection Research (CONCERT*):
lessons learned and perspectives
Andrea Ottolenghi**Università di Pavia
Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei bandi 2018 EURATOM di Horizon 2020
Roma, 9 febbraio 2018 ENEA, Sala Conferenze - Lungotevere Thaon di Revel, 76
* This project has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 under grant agreement No 662287
** Member of the Executive Board of CONCERT and Workpackage leader on Education and Training
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
A European Strategy for RadiationProtection Research
o 35 beneficiarieso 4 (+1) Research Platforms = exceptionality
(MELODI/ALLIANCE/NERIS/EURADOS (+EURAMED))
• 30 Linked Third Parties (LTPs)
• almost all European countries are a POM of CONCERT (total number 25 = 23 Member States plus Norway and Switzerland
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Member states CONCERT
PL
SI
CH
Member states CONCERT
Austria Latvia
Belgium Lithuania
Bulgaria Netherlands
Croatia Poland
Czech Republic Portugal
Denmark Romania
Estonia Slovakia
Finland Slovenia
France Spain
Germany Sweden
Greece United Kingdom
Hungary + Norway
Italy + Switzerland
Ireland
not a member
Cyprus
Luxembourg
Malta
RECENT ADDITION TO CONCERT
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
The CONCERT Partners
POs
PMs or PFsLTPs
TPs
CONCERTMB
PO Programme Owner, i.e. MinistryPM Programme ManagerPF Research PlatformLTP Linked Third Party, i.e. Research InstituteTP Third Party, i.e. Research Institute
MB Management Board
• Università di Pavia (PM) per il Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca (PO)
• ENEA (PM) per il Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico (PO)• ISS (PM) per il Ministero della Salute (PO)
Italian POs and PMs
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Only affiliated entities or entities with a legal link to a beneficiary can be LTPs:
“Entities with a legal link” refers to an established relationship (between the third party and the beneficiary) which is broad and not specifically created for the work in the Grant Agreement and a legal relationship. This may be either a legal structure or through an agreement or contract not limited to the action. The duration of the relationship must go beyond the action duration and it usually pre-dates and outlasts the Grant Agreement.
“Affiliated entity means” that the entity is under direct or indirect control of the beneficiary or under the same direct or indirect control as the beneficiary or directly or indirectly controlling the beneficiary.
– LINKED THIRD PARTIES –
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
• Co-fundingo max. 70% EURATOM: min. 30% national funding
o national funding: in-kind and/or in cash
o EURATOM share: max.19.8 Mill. EURO
• Total CONCERT EJP eligible costs ~29.5m EURO in 5 years
CONCERT Funding Scheme
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
CONCERT Funding Scheme
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Timetable
Grant application September 17th, 2014
Information about successful score February 17th, 2015
Start of EJP CONCERTStart: June 1st, 2015Kick-Off Meeting: June 17th/18th, 2015
Signature of grant agreement (GA) July, 2015
Signature of consortium agreement (CA) January, 2016
Open RTD calls 1st callDeadline for proposal submission August 2016
2nd callDeadline for proposal submission May 2017
End of CONCERT May 2020
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
WP2: Integration and SRA development of radiation protection research
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
CONCERT call preparation
Open consultation
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
CONCERT call procedure
• Publication of the CONCERT Open RTD call
- Call text – research topics
- Guidelines for Applicants
- Financial Call Conditions
- Proposal Application Form
• Reviewing process involving experts independent from CONCERT from all over the world => topic ranking lists
• Decision of the CONCERT Management Board
• Informing the call winners
• Research contract negotiations
• Start of the project
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Call for Proposals to support innovative research projects in radiation protection. The aims of the call were:
• To support transnational research projects that combine innovative approaches in the field of radiation protection in line with the research priorities of CONCERT;
• To actively integrate E&T activities and collaboration with universities in multidisciplinary research projects;
• To make optimal use of research infrastructures.
Deadline for proposals August 2016. Funded projects have to be finished not later than 31 December 2019.
First call 2016
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Project proposals must address multidisciplinary and transnational research. The project proposals must cover one of the following areas that are equal in relevance for this call:
1. Improvement of health risk assessment associated with low dose/dose rate radiation.
2. Reducing uncertainties in human and ecosystem radiological risk assessment and management in nuclear emergencies and existing exposure situations, including NORM.
First call topics
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
1st Call RESULTS• In total 12 proposals were submitted by 147 partners from
85 different institutions in 26 countries.
• 8 proposals responded to Topic 1, in the area of Improvement of health risk assessment associated with low dose/dose rate radiation,
• 4 proposals to Topic 2, in the area of Reducing uncertainties in human and ecosystem radiological risk assessment and management in nuclear emergencies and existing exposure situations, including NORM.
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Ranking Acronym TOPIC Full name
1 CONFIDENCE 2COping with uNcertainties For Improved modelling and DEcision making in Nuclear emergenCiEs
2 LDLensRad 1LDLensRad: Towards a full mechanistic understanding of low dose radiation induced cataracts
3 TERRITORIES 2
To Enhance unceRtainties Reduction and stakeholders involvement TOwards integrated and graded Risk management of humans and wildlife In long-lasting radiological Exposure Situations
With the total budget of 10.5 M€ available, the first 3 proposals, according to the ranking list, are funded
1st Call RESULTS
For details see http://www.concert-h2020.eu/en/Concert_info/Research_projects
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Second transnational Call for Proposals to support innovative
research projects in radioprotection.
Project proposals must address multidisciplinary and transnational
research.
This call addresses 2 main topics (each one having three sub-topics).
The project proposals must fall within one of the call topics. Proposals
must clearly demonstrate the potential impact on radiation protection
in Europe as well as the added value of transnational collaboration.
Additionally, each proposal should consider, where appropriate, the
following aspects:
• Education and Training
• Quality assurance, Open Access and Infrastructures.
Second call 2017
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
CONCERT 2nd call2 Priority Topics with subtopics described in the call text
Topic 1 - Understanding human health effects from ionising radiation and improving dosimetry
I. Improvement of health risk assessment associated with low dose/dose rate radiation.
II. Improvement of occupational dosimetry.
III. Patient-tailored diagnosis and treatment: full exploitation and improvement of technology and techniques with clinical and dose structured reporting.
Topic 2 - Radioecology, emergency and social sciences and humanities
I. Biomarkers of exposure and effects in living organisms, as operational outcomes of a mechanistic understanding of intra- and inter-species variation of radiosensitivity under chronic low dose exposure situations.
II. Countermeasure strategies preparedness for emergency and recovery situations.
III. Models, tools and rationales for stakeholder engagement and informed decision-making in radiation protection research, policy and practice for situations involving exposures to ionising radiations.
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
With the total budget of 6,98 M€ available, 6 proposals,according to the ranking lists, are funded
2nd Call RESULTS
Details of the projects funded from the second call are not yet publicly available but will be published on CONCERT website in the near future
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
• Annual calls for proposals to host short training courses
• Courses should cover all aspects of the scientific research areascovered by CONCERT in order to attract new students and developexpertise in the field.
• The calls will be open to CONCERT Partners, Linked Third Parties ofCONCERT and to every other Third Party, which is able to provide a31% co-funding in cash in accordance with the co-funding rules forEuropean Joint Programmes under Horizon 2020.
• Courses can be up to 3 weeks long
• More details on the CONCERT website www.concert-h2020.eu
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
• WHAT ARE WE LEARNING FROM CONCERT? (not only for the field of Radiation Research)
• PROBLEMS STILL TO BE SOLVED
• WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
DISCUSSION
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Joint programming of research
In CONCERT the call topics are derived from an amalgamation of 5 platform Strategic Research Agendas, together with research priorities presented by the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). From a large number of priority topics on widely varying areas of radiation protection, CONCERT WP2-WP3 must choose just two or three topics per call.
It is an optimisation process that includes (not only in our field):
• a strategy to select research priorities starting from the SRAs of different platforms and how to validate the conclusions;
• the contribution to gap analysis;
• the use of common approaches and criteria, also when involving different platforms and therefore different points of view and general objectives;
• an open debate, also to avoid any conflict of interest
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Peer review of European open calls
• The applications to a CONCERT call are all refereed by experts in the field.
• Because of the small size of the European radiation protection research community (but this problem can be easily encountered in other small communities) there can be difficulties in choosing referees who are not involved in institutions submitting proposals, and therefore not at risk of conflict of interest.
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
The administration of the calls
• The process chosen by CONCERT to choose the winning applications (CONCERT WP4 with a firewall around) produces a list of applications with scores, from which the Management Board has little choice but to award funding to the top-most proposals.
• The use of a “firewall” is needed to avoid conflicts of interest, the CONCERT experience needs to be analysed to help in avoiding (or at least limit) the risk of lack of transparency as an effect of this limited communication.
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Equitable opportunities among States and institutions
• CONCERT is the only EJP to have open calls. In principle they are open to any European institution, and I insist that this should be the case.
• However, each successful project member must find at least 30% co-funding, which, in principle must come from the national RP research funding authority.
• CONCERT members can use their “in-kind” contribution to provide the 30%. Linked third parties are permitted to as well.
• But an unlinked third party must find the 30% in cash from the national funding authority. Not all EU states have a dedicated national fund for RP research, and some that have such a fund do not have any extra to give to new projects. So these third parties can be effectively excluded from participating.
• This is clearly unfair, and must be addressed by the European Commission.
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Important questions for debate:(we are here referring to CONCERT, but assume them as general issues
for any EJP or similar structures)
1. Does CONCERT provide an effective way of prioritising research topics for calls?
2. How should reviewers/adjudicators for calls be chosen?
3. Is the administration of the calls improvable to maximize the transparency of the procedures, still avoiding any conflict of interests?
4. Can the rules for POMs, LTPs and TPs be changed to make open calls fairer?
5. Is an EJP the right instrument for open European research, in particular, radiation protection research?
6. Should the use of the EJP be continued in Framework 9 (2021-27)?
a) With only closed calls? (e.g. Fusion, Waste disposal)
b) All allowing open calls?
7. How can we better coordinate the different Italian POs (Programme Owners), i.e. the different Ministries, involved in EJPs, and the Italian representation in the Commission?
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Some personal thoughts and suggested answers
1. Research activity must be based on open competitive calls, based on scientific quality, whateverinstrument is used by the EC
2. We should learn from the experience of CONCERT
3. If the EJP instrument is maintained in the 9th framework it should include calls open to all institutionswith equal rules for all applicants (e.g. in-kind co-funding).
General
At the national level
1. The coordination among Italian PM (UniPv, ENEA and ISS) is working well and this positive experiencewill be maintained in the future, also beyond CONCERT
2. We need to improve the communication with people/institutions outside the “usual circle”. We needto expand the number institutions and researchers involved.
3. A coordination between PMs and POs (MIUR, MS, MISE) has been established and will certainly bemaintained and enhanced
4. We need a systematic coordination among the ministries involved when more than one ministry isinvolved in a project
5. There is a lack of communication and coordination between the PMs (and the radiation researchscientific community in general) and our national representatives: we need to work on it!
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
More information on CONCERT and CONCERT calls in: www.concert-h2020.eu
More information on CONCERT E&T calls in: http://www.concert-h2020.eu/en/Concert_info/Education_Training
A. Ottolenghi, Euratom: Giornata Nazionale di Lancio dei Bandi 2018 in Horizon 2020, Roma, 9/02/2018
Thank you for your attention!
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Annemarie Schmitt-Hannig, and Mandy Birschwilks, BfS, forproviding material on CONCERT, the other Italian PMs for comments andsuggestions, Vere Smyth for helping in the preparation of this presentation, MatsHarms-Ringdahl, for the useful discussions and contributions.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in the discussion session are solely those of the author
