About 100 scientists, 18 October 2016, gathered at Lviv University to learn more about the opportunities that the researchers may have within Framework Programme of the European Union Horizon 2020, in particular it concerns the features of the preparation of project proposals as well as getting actual information on current competitions and rules of participation in them.
Rector, Professor Volodymyr Melnyk addressed the participants with the welcoming speech, noticing that holding an information day program Horizon 2020 and launching at Lviv University National Contact Point – “these are the practical steps that outline the algorithm, how to act to help our scientists, scientific communities and structures to be direct participants of various kinds of draft program Horizon 2020 “.
Rector noted the crucial role of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, thanks to which Ukraine became an associate member of Horizon 2020 last year.
“Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, concerning this program performs not only constructive leadership, but also operational management in cooperation with the scientific community in order to maximize participation of research institutions within the program Horizon 2020”, – said Rector Volodymyr Melnyk.
National Coordinator of National Contact Points, the head of international scientific cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine Stella Shapoval told about the largest EU program aimed at financing research and innovation – Horizon 2020.
“The main objectives of the program “Horizon 2020 “- to make Europe an attractive place for top-notch scholars, to promote innovation and competitiveness, to solve the most pressing issues of modern European society, and therefore this is reflected in three key areas: advanced science, industrial leadership and social challenges “- said Stella Shapoval.
According to the head of the International Scientific and Technological Cooperation of Education of Ukraine, the main objectives of the program is European science world level, avoiding obstacles to create innovations and providing opportunities for cooperation between public and private enterprises to conduct joint researches and the creation of innovative products.
In her speech, Stella Shapoval focused participants’ attention on the system of National Contact Points (NCPs), which is the cornerstone providing support and practical information on all aspects of participation in Horizon 2020.
“Ukrainian NCP system was created by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine jointly with the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in December 2013 and includes the NCP in all thematic priorities and instruments of the program Horizon 2020. NCP provides personalized support to interested organizations and applicants that meet their subject area” – she explained.
The Coordinators Oksana Zaremba (Franko LNU), Galina Laz’ko and Ivan Kulchytskyi (National University “Lviv Polytechnic”) working in Lviv mentioned in their speeches about the work of national contact points of the program “Horizon 2020”.
The Manager of the International Project Centre for Social Innovation Gorazd Weiss (Vienna, Austria) presented his model of roadmap within “Horizon 2020” – “From the project idea to its realization”, focusing on practical aspects of training and submission of applications.
The main conditions of the participation in the projects, he said, is to determine the actual research topic, search at least two European countries (EU Member State or a country associated member of the program “Horizon 2020”) and submit a valid application in English.