Research and Innovation

(MML) Action Plans on

Societal ChallengesCall for proposals – Science in Society Work Programme 2013

Mobilisation & Mutual Learning

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Mobilisation and Mutual Learning (MML) Action Plans on Societal

Challenges

Call for proposals - Science in Society Work Programme 2013

Directorate-General for Research and Innovation FP7-Capacities: Science in society2012 EUR 25376

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ISBN 978-92-79-25246-4ISSN 1018-5593doi 10.2777/36891

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What is a MML Action Plan?

In support to the Europe 2020 growth strategy, the Science in Society Work Programme 2013 contains a call for proposals aimed at financing Mobilisation and Mutual Learning (MML) Action Plans on societal challenges.

The current challenges faced by society are complex and multidimensional. Researchers, policy makers, businesses, innovators and, most of all, the general public, have difficult choices to make with regards to how science and technology can help tackle our multiple societal challenges. The early engagement of different actors alongside researchers in the research and innovation process is essential to find the right answers to the challenges we face.

An MML Action Plan is a mechanism to:

• Address societal challenges where science and technology are involved

• Bring together a wide range of actors and pool their knowledge and experience

• Facilitate mutual understanding and develop joint solutions and research agendas

Thus, an MML Action Plan leads to new ways of shaping research, technology and innovation, in response to the views and needs of society. These new ways ensure that all societal actors work together during the whole research and innovation process, to better align the research and innovation outcomes to the values, needs and expectations of European society. This co-creation is termed Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). MML Actions Plans will also support the 2013 ‘European Year of Citizens’ by stimulating the active participation of citizens in EU policy making.

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The MML Action Plan partners

In an MML Action Plan, different stakeholders proactively forge partnerships with complementary perspectives, knowledge and experience. The mobilisation of societal actors, the opening up to civil society and the multidisciplinary dimension are crucial elements for ensuring that research and innovation respond to the needs of all stakeholders.

The MML Action Plan shall comprise at least the following types of partners:

• Research performing and/or funding organisations

• Civil society organisations

• Industry / businesses

• Policy-makers

The consortium may also include media, education establishments, science academies, museums, science centres, science shops, etc. It must consist of at least 10 legal entities established in at least 10 different EU Member States or Associated countries. The participation of third countries is encouraged when relevant.

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Designing an MML Action Plan

The MML Action Plan partners select a science and technology related challenge among the six presented in the call for proposals. Each is complex and giving rise to conflicting opinions. There are various ways in which science and technology can contribute and these ways will gain from being connected, discussed and put into context.

The partners build their MML Action Plan on the basis of the questions they want to address. The questions raised by research organisations are likely to differ from those raised, for example, by local authorities, or by civil society organisations that might give priority to an issue which is of lower importance for businesses. Some will be more concerned by ethics and others by gender perspectives, or the reaction of the younger generation to the world we are leaving for them. All partners have a role to play, knowledge to share and benefits to gain from their engagement in the MML Action Plan.

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The MML Action Plan should have a minimum duration of three years.

Activities may take place at local, regional or national levels and must have a European dimension with transnational exchanges. They include:

• Facilitating dialogue and building a common approach

• Making the various types of relevant knowledge accessible

• Capacity-building and training

• Identifying topics and opportunities for future participative multi-actor research

• Producing a common and well-adapted communication strategy

• Promoting Science in Society aspects and Responsible Research and Innovation dimensions (societal engagement, gender, ethics, open access, science education, governance)

• Monitoring related initiatives and policy developments at local, national and European levels

The funding for an MML Action Plan can, however, not be used for funding research activities.

The MML partners are also meant to evaluate the methodology and process put in place during the project, and set up a strategy to ensure the sustainability of the work carried out after the end of the project.

• Collectively-built responses to the various questions raised by a societal challenge and by the research and technologies that are used to address them

• Development of responsible research and innovation agendas that meet the concerns and expectations of citizens and civil society.

MML Action Plan activities Expected results

Designing an MML Action Plan

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Experience of global pandemics has shown that links with societal issues and societal involvement are crucial in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and in the management of global health crisis. The Expert Group on Science, H1N1 and Society, which was set up by the European Commission in 2010, clarified the ‘Science in Society’-related research questions raised by the specific case of H1N1 pandemic and associated crisis management. The MML Action Plan will further explore these issues in global pandemics and crisis management in order to identify and promote commonly-accepted solutions that take better account of society concerns.

Specific Challenge 1 Infectious diseases

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The Europe 2020 strategy has set as a priority to achieve sustainable growth, which notably means capitalising on Europe’s leadership in developing green innovation. As a paradox, advanced technologies such as environmental technologies, products and applications, throughout their lifecycle, can have undesired effects on the environment, the economy, and society at large, notably because energy and materials are required to produce and maintain them. However, sustainable innovation is not necessarily technological. It can also be social, through governance modes, changes in processes, use and appropriation of technologies.

The MML Action Plan will look at advantages, disadvantages, relevance, benefits and the risks of innovation and its impact on human health, the environment, the economy and the society at large. The MML Action Plan will propose inclusive assessment methods, identify scientific challenges and possible improvements to

Specific Challenge 2 Assessment of sustainable innovation

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current innovations, develop a common understanding of innovation management, and develop specific policy recommendations.

The designation of 2012 as European Year for Water, the ongoing establishment of the European Innovation Partnership on Water, and droughts menacing many parts of the EU, have increased the urgency for sustainable water management in Europe. The achievement of EU water policy goals will rely on the active involvement and capacity building of all types of stakeholders. The MML Action Plan will contribute to the aims of the Blueprint Roadmap to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources. The MMLAP on Water will set up an inclusive system of mediation between researchers, policy-makers, users/citizens, businesses and other engaged actors, at all appropriate levels. It will create favourable conditions for constructive dialogue, raising of awareness of citizens, responsible and innovative mechanisms to anticipate water-related problems, participatory research, new paradigms of adaptive water management, and links with social innovation.

Specific Challenge 3 Water

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The implementation of the Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) ‘Urban Europe’ will require strengthened collaboration between public and private sectors, open innovation among different research activities, education and business sectors related to urban development, and also a broad involvement of relevant stakeholders, such as local authorities, civil society, and new players in the urban communities. For the success of this ambitious process it is important that different paths of integrated urban development are discussed and explored in inclusive and collaborative settings. The aim of the MML Action Plan will be to interact with the structures of the ‘Urban Europe Forum’ in order to co-generate social innovation, enhance the social dimension of the Joint Programming Initiative, and support stakeholder and wider societal participation in the development of the Urban Europe research agenda.

Specific Challenge 4 Integrated urban development

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Is there an EU vision with regard to Internet governance, participative freedoms, ethics and security? How can the Internet be governed in full respect of the European Charter of fundamental human rights? How can European users be empowered to exercise their rights of access and ownership of their personal data, and through what mechanisms can they participate in the development of Internet-related governance and public policy processes? What is the proper balance between flexible ways of using personal data for service development, while ensuring respect of privacy? How to meet the need for efficient and fast mechanisms for licensing of IPR in the era of the internet, both from the perspective of protection and of active use and dissemination of IPR in the sense of open innovation? The MML Action Plan will explore paths for a responsible, adaptive and integrated approach to the Internet-enabled innovation, and elaborate a responsible action plan along with concise policy recommendations to improve the societal rele-vance of the Digital Agenda for Europe.

Specific Challenge 5 ICT - Internet and society

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Specific Challenge 6 Ethics assessment

European research policy is not only defined by excellence, but should ensure a harmonious relation between science and society, notably by promoting the highest ethical standards.

The MML Action Plan will contribute to this aim by involving the main actors responsible for the design and application of standards and principles of research ethics. The MML partners will act together to set out a practical roadmap and make concrete steps towards a common EU ethics framework.

The MML Action Plan aims at improving the adherence to ethical principles and laws, and at facilitating the uptake of ethics in project design and implementation. A common ethics framework should also facilitate the mobility of researchers, and transnational cooperation.

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Funding scheme: Supporting Actions

2013 Indicative budget: 24 million € to fund six proposals

Deadline: 16 January 2013

Call identifier: FP7-SCIENCE-IN-SOCIETY-2013-1

Topic: SiS.2013.1.2-1

For more information, please consult :

• Capacities > Science in Society at: http://ec.europa.eu/fp7calls

• National Contact Points: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/get-support_en.html

Notice for applicants:

This leaflet provides a snap shot with indicative information on the call for proposals 2013. For additional information, please refer to Science in Society Work Programme 2013, which has a true legal basis.

European Commission

EUR 25376 - Mobilisation and Mutual Learning (MML) Action Plans on Societal Challenges. Call for proposals - Science in Society Work Programme 2013

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

2012 — 24 pp. — A6, 10,5 x 14,8 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-25246-4ISSN 1018-5593doi 10.2777/36891

How to apply

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KI-NA-25376-EN

-C

Are you a research organisation, a civil society organisation, a business or a policy-maker ready to collaborate with other actors on responsible research and innovation in one of these areas?

• Infectious diseases• Assessment of sustainable innovation• Water• Integrated urban development• ICT, Internet and Society• Ethics assessment

If yes, we invite you to submit a Mobilisation and Mutual Learning Action Plan to the “Science in Society” call for proposals.

Closing date: 16 January 2013.

Practical information