Objective

The specific challenge is to enhance networking activities between the research institutions of the Widening countries and internationally-leading counterparts at EU level.

Scope:

Twinning aims at significantly strengthening a defined field of research in a university or research organisation from a Widening country by linking it with at least two internationally-leading research institutions in other Member States or Associated Countries. Twinning will:

• Enhance the scientific and technological capacity of the linked institutions with a principal focus on the university or research organisation from the Widening Country;
• Help raise the research profile of the institution from the Widening country as well as the research profile of its staff.

Successful Twinning proposals will have to clearly outline the scientific strategy for stepping up and stimulating scientific excellence and innovation capacity in a defined area of research as well as the scientific quality of the partners involved in the twinning exercise.

A dedicated focus towards promoting the involvement of early stage researchers (as per the MSCA definition) in the coordinating institution from the Widening country is expected. This should take the form of a dedicated work package in the proposal describing activities dedicated to early stage researchers from the coordinating institution that could include training, mentoring and networking measures within the Twinning exercise.

Expected Impact:

- Increased research excellence of the coordinating institution in the particular field of research as a result of the twinning exercise.

- Enhancing the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of the coordinating institution.

- Improved capability to compete successfully for national, EU and internationally competitive research funding.

Eligibility:

1. The applicant organisation (coordinator) where a defined field of research aims to be strengthened as a result of the Twinning action should be established in a Member State or Associated Country that is ranked below 70% of the EU27 average of the composite indicator on Research Excellence. Based on the above threshold, applicant organisations from the following Member States and Associated Countries will be eligible to submit proposals as coordinators:

Member States: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Associated Countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.

(i.e., Spain is not eligible to coordinate a Twinning proposal but is eligible to participate has partner).

2. Twinning proposals must involve a minimum of three participants.

Duration

up to 3 years

Budget

The requested EU contribution shall not exceed a maximum of EUR 0.8 million for a period of up to 3 years.

In general, costs relating to administration, networking, coordination, training, management, travel costs are acceptable under a Twinning project.

Therefore, for grants awarded under this topic and type of action the following cost categories will be ineligible costs:

- infrastructure costs;

- equipment;

- research costs (including consumables).

More info at

https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/widespread-03-2018.html