H2020 SME Instrument winners announced
The European Commission has revealed the names of 155 SMEs set to benefit from the new €3bn Horizon 2020 SME Instrument.
SMEs from 21 countries will each receive €50,000 to finance feasibility studies for their projects, and they can also benefit from up to three days of business coaching. The funded projects may also be considered for further financial support from the Commission worth up to €2.5m.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, said: “Innovative SMEs will help get the European economy back on track, creating lasting employment and great products and services. This new instrument is aimed at projects that are truly innovative, with a strong business opportunity and a solid concept to bring them to the market.”
A total of 2,662 proposals were submitted to the Commission for funding. Evaluation by independent experts showed that 317 of the proposals met the evaluation standard. Of those, 155, or 49%, have been selected for funding.
A total of 645 projects will be funded in 2014, rising to 670 in 2015. The next deadline for the call for proposals is 24 September, followed by 17 December for Phase 1 (which offers fast and simple grants for business innovation feasibility studies). The deadlines of 9 October and 17 December have been set for Phase 2 (which centres on demonstration projects). Investment-mature concepts can in addition benefit from business development advice and other support services in Phase 3.
You can see a full list of winners here.
