Work Packages

Work Packages

WP1 | Management

Lead: Norges forskningsråd (RCN)

The objective of Work Package 1 (WP1) is to ensure proper execution of BlueBio. Hereby fulfil the project objectives and contractual obligations; ensure proper coordination of the project and the consortium; implement efficient administrative and financial management structures and procedures and effective quality and risk control; facilitate synergies with activities in JPI Oceans and from the ERA-NETs COFASP and ERA-MBT ERA-NETs; coordinate stakeholder engagement and involvement.

WP2 | Preperation and Launch og the Co-Funded Call

Lead: Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (JUELICH)

The objectives of Work Package 2 (WP2) is to lead the implementation of BlueBio’s co-funded call and cover the management of the cofunded call from its definition up to the launch date and beyond, with applicant support via a dedicated helpdesk run by a Call Secretariat. The work package leader will ensure that all documents and procedures fulfil the rules for an ERANET Cofund Call and are approved by the funders involved in the co-funded call (Call Steering Committee). WP 2 will be the Chair of the Call Steering Committee.

Specific objectives of WP2 include:

  • preparing call documents;
  • launching the co-funded call using an online submission system;
  • supporting applicants via a dedicated helpdesk;
  • efficiently administering pre- and full proposal phase of the co-funded call.

The call for proposals for the first stage of the co-funded call will be kept open for 60 days.

WP3 | Evaluation and Proposal Selection for the Co-Funded Call

Lead: Executive Unit for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)

The objectives of Work Package 3 (WP3) are to efficiently handle all administrative and organisational issues on the evaluation of the submitted proposals in-line with the rules of the ERA-NET Cofund scheme, until a decision on the proposals to be funded is reached. This includes:

  • Evaluate the proposals submitted in response to the co-funded call and manage the 2-stage application process including the general and national eligibility checks;
  • Select excellent proposals for funding, through the two-stage evaluation procedure based on common international
  • peer review. WP3 will manage the co-funded call from the start of the evaluation to scoring and ranking, up to the funding decisions;
  • Ensure proper contracting arrangements are made between the project participants and leaders and their Funding Party, and within the project consortia;
  • Ensure effective start of the projects.

All tasks within WP3 will be performed in close collaboration with the Call Steering Committee (CSC).

WP4 | Follow-Up and Monitoring of Projects Resulting from the Co-Funded Call

Lead: Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI)

The aim of this WP is to analyse and evaluate the co-funded call and monitor and follow-up the progress of the cofunded projects through the following actions:

  • Design of a definition, methodology and publication of a common set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) alongside the launch of the co-funded call;
  • Online monitoring of funded projects through an existing online platform and development of a common reporting procedure. Collection and assessment of results through written follow-up reports;
  • Organisation of two follow-up seminars (mid-term and final seminar) for co-funded projects;
  • In collaboration with WP5, develop KPIs for assessment of short, mid- and long-term impact evaluation at the end of co-funded projects.

WP5 | Communication, Exploitation and Dissemination of the Results

Lead: Rannsóknamiðstöð Íslands (RANNIS)

The aim of the WP is to communicate, exploit and disseminate results of BlueBio projects. These activities will support the Cofund and the funded projects to realise tangible impacts on the blue bioeconomy BlueBio. An online platform will be developed to promote the activities of the network and dissemination of knowledge outputs from funded projects. This WP will build on the knowledge and experience from the previous ERA-nets, ERA-MBT and COFASP, and will ensure that outputs from projects previously funded through relevant ERA-Nets remain visible. This WP will work closely with the management of BlueBio and other WPs to ensure that knowledge outputs are used to their full potential drawing on the networks of JPI Oceans, COFASP and MBT.

WP6 | Additional Calls

Lead:  Marine Institute

The objective of WP6 is to design and launch calls, evaluate and select proposals and grant novel projects that can accelerate the Blue Bioeconomy. This WP will identify themes for additional calls that support the goals for the sustainable use of marine bioresources and the concept of the circular economy. The work in this WP will build on analyses of needs and gaps along the Blue Bioeconomy value chains, as identified by the three networks ERA-MBT, COFASP and JPI Oceans in their consultations and forward-looking activities involving industry, R&I and policy entities. Work package 6 will further identify options to create additional calls for new research driven innovative activities that contribute to Europe’s bioeconomy. As a forward-looking activity, WP6 will identify thematic areas and develop calls that support novelty and value creation from aquatic bioresources at all stages within the value-chains, targeting projects designed to raise the TRL. WP6 will generate calls based on contributions from research and industry practitioners and society. In doing so, it will collaborate with and benefit from other WPs: e.g. insights from WP7 regarding lessons from present and past projects and other feedback. Dedicated stakeholder events will be designed to maximise contributions from researchers, industry and society in identifying novel ideas. WP 6 will coordinate with WP 5 to ensure the maximum use of available resources in promoting activities and, organising events. The expected impact of tasks completed in this WP includes

  • Achieving coordination and collaboration with other funding initiatives in targeting joint funding opportunities;
  • Maximising integration of regional networks such as those within the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Baltic and other maritime areas;
  • Securing the participation of industry in developing the Blue Bioeconomy, via industry associations e.g. EuropaBio;
  • Regional Authorities/Agencies; and other initiatives e.g. BBI-JU;
  • Creating innovative calls for projects using novel funding mechanisms that involve public and private sector finance to deliver;
  • Projects that maximise the use of available research and pilot infrastructures;
  • Projects that attract scientists, technologists and companies not generally associated with the marine bioresources sector;
  • Projects that contribute to scientific, economic and social progress – e.g. innovative products and services related to the use of marine biomass.

The profile of additional calls will reflect new research opportunities, including scientific, technological, socioeconomic and policy related research that could be supported by novel funding schemes. WP6 will take steps to avoid any duplication or overlap with previous or current projects. A particular focus of WP 6 will be on securing the participation of industrial partners to participate in supporting additional calls. WP6 will also identify opportunities to form funding collaborations with other EU initiatives, particularly where such collaborations enable access to, and greater utilisation of existing infrastructures and research and development communities.

WP7 | Related Activities

Lead: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)

The WP intends to provide support to cross-cutting areas by implementing related activities which can better address the impact of research and valorisation from different actors of the Blue Bioeconomy sector. It will follow up on the outcomes from ERA-COFASP and MBT to implement and continue these to develop the Blue Bioeconomy. We will engage with a wide variety of stakeholders where relevant to ensure the outcomes are reflecting the needs of industry and policy in order to move the Blue Bioeconomy further. The analysis of data gathered within the project database (T7.1) and the connectivity between research projects funded in the cofounded calls and other relevant ongoing national and international projects (T7.2) will contribute to ensure no duplication is taking place neither with past projects nor ongoing ones. Also, facilitating the exchange and sharing of knowledge and technology between the ongoing projects may improve the knowledge uptake and allow for ad hoc mobility and training events, thus contributing to HCB (T7.3). The forward-looking activities (T7.4) will look at different research and innovation needs, in particular the multidisciplinary and multi stakeholder challenge of setting up new bio-based value chains.

Based on the activities implemented in both WP6 and WP7 the task 7.5 will synthetize the findings and experience gained from the activities and provide recommendations for the future.

As WP7 includes a range of related activities, a WP Methodology System will be set up including an internal breakdown of related activities and a set of indicators to be achieved will be set up to ensure effective and efficient management of the WP and to address, monitor and evaluate the WP‘s achievement and progresses (internal to the consortium) as well as the impact of related activities on projects, calls and other external actions. The implementation of such System will be done either through a physical meeting or using the web conference tool provided by RCN (Task 1.3).

WP8 | Ethics

Lead: Norges forskningsråd (RCN)

Contact: Ingeborg Korme Iko@forskningsradet.no

In addition to the scientific evaluation focusing on the scientific merit, the quality of the management and the potential impact, the Ethics Appraisal ensures that all research activities carried out under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme are conducted in compliance with fundamental ethical principles.