Horizon 2020 Scoping Study

Horizon 2020 is an initiative aimed at securing the global competitiveness of Europe through research, development and innovation.

The study aimed to identify any additional support needs of Welsh organisations to maximise uptake of Horizon 2020 and provide options on how these needs could be met.

WEFO’s Horizon 2020 Unit was set up in January 2013. The Horizon 2020 Scoping Study was designed to inform WEFO’s decisions on how best to support Welsh organisations to maximise their uptake of the opportunities provided through Horizon 2020; to identify specific support needs of Welsh organisations and to provide options for the structure and role of the Horizon 2020 Unit and its work with partners in Wales, the UK and EU.

A mixed programme of research was used including data analysis, interviews with around 45 individuals (from the Public Sector, HEIs, Businesses and European comparator regions), documentary review and options analysis. In addition, a series of workshops took place to test suggested options with potential service users and the Horizon 2020 Unit.

A series of options were developed ranging from moderately enhancing the work already done by the Unit, to an ambitious strategic approach requiring co-ordinated engagement from all key sectors (Welsh Government, higher education, key business sectors and researchers).

Based on these approaches, seven recommendations are made in the report that provide clear and detailed options for the Horizon 2020 Unit and its work with partners in Wales, the UK and EU in making practical interventions that can help to maximise uptake of the opportunities provided through Horizon 2020 by potential applicants in Wales.

WEFO: Programmes: Horizon 2020 http://wefo.wales.gov.uk/programmes/horizon2020/?lang=en

---