Ebiltem-Pera İşbirliği

''Bu yazı proje uzmanımız Rory Nuijens tarafından İngilizce olarak kaleme alınmıştır''

EBILTEM and Pera Technology

EBILTEM has concluded a partnership with British based technology consultancy firm Pera Technology. Pera Technology supports SMEs in developing their innovation and R&D capacity by, amongst others, identying European Union grant opportunities and preparing project proposals for European Union projects (FP7) to which these SMEs can participate. Every year, Pera prepares around 100 of such proposals. The partnership with EBILTEM allows EBILTEM to propose SMEs from our region to participate in these projects as well. Pera is also responsible for the TurkeyinFP7 Programme (www.turkeyinfp7.eu) that support Turkish organisations in their capacity to propose FP7 projects and successfully participate as a partner.

What are FP7 projects, a small recap

FP7 projects are the EU's main funding tool for supporting research and technology development. The programme runs until 2013 and it supports research in selected priority areas. The objective of FP7 is to strengthen the scientific and technological base of European industry and to encourage international competitiveness. Each year the EU launches so-called calls for proposals to which interested organisations can submit project proposals. These proposals are then reviewed and it is then decided to fund this particular project or not. This process is usually very competitive. Pera Technology mostly focuses on the FP7 Research for SMEs programme.

FP7 Research for SMEs explained.

The FP7 research for SMEs is aimed at supporting SMEs in their R&D and innovation capacity. In these projects, R&D is performed by R&D organisations (such as universities) and the results of those R&D efforts, such as Intellectual Property, then belongs to the SMEs involved in the project. The project is also run by these SMEs and they decide what the R&D effort should be and how the result should look like. The programme is open for all organisations coming from all sectors.

Why participate in such projects?

So, why should your company join such projects?  Well, there are many clear benefits for companies to join FP7 Research for SME projects, as these projects are designed to have post project commercial benefits. Some of these advantages are:

1. An opportunity to find new clients and new suppliers in new markets. Because you will be cooperating with project partners from all over Europe, you will get access to new networks from different countries.
2. Shared Intellectual Property (IPR). Project results often comes in the form of IPR. 
3. New products. At the end of a project there is usually a new product that can be sold on the market. Either your company fully produces and markets that product or your company gains a preferred commercial supply chain position.

Collaboration in these projects is an effective method of reducing cost, risk and pain associated with R&D activities. Your company can participate in these projects to exploit the result of the project, not to do research. Companies that participate in these project usually get around €10.000 to €15.000 to cover the costs that they will have to make during the course of the project.

How to participate in these projects

Pera Technology writes around 100 FP7 Research for SME proposals each year. They would like to invite Turkish SMEs to become part of their projects. Therefore EBILTEM has gained access to their project database. If your company would like to be part of FP7 Research for SME proposals, you can contact EBILTEM in order to see if there are suitable projects available. Please write an e-mail to rory.nuijens@ebiltem.ege.edu.tr and semih.erden@ebiltem.ege.edu.tr and we will get in contact with you.

Rory Nuyens