National Information Centre for European Research

National Information Centre for European Research (NICER)

Center provides comprehensive support for the participation of national teams in international research cooperation, especially in the EU Framework Programmes.

  • The National Information Centre for European Research (NICER) organizes information events about the opportunities involved in EU Framework Programmes for research and development, publishes specialized publications and an electronic newsletter and operates an information portal www.fp7.cz about the 7th Framework Programme for Reserach and Developmnet and also about the successor EU Framework Programme for Research, Developlment and Innovation - Horizon 2020 - www.h2020.cz.  
  • NICER provides professional consultations for anyone interested in participating in programs and projects to participants in all phases of the project cycle.
  • NICER provides advice on participation in grants from the European Research Council (ERC).
  • NICER provides support to ensure the activity of the chairman´s secretariat of ESFRI (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures)

Framework Programmes (FP) financing rules and financing management of FP projects

  • NICER provides information about how to obtain financial support for research projects from the Framework Programmes (FP) of the EU. TC also organizes regular seminars and training in relation to updating the documents of the European Commission (EC). These include an explanation of basic concepts for understanding the mechanisms of financial and FP rules, general rules and basic principles of project financing, financial instruments used, etc.
  • NICER organizes specialized seminars about financial management of FP projects concerned with every aspect of their existence – from the preparation of a project proposal, its submission, evaluation by the European Commission and realization of the project to subsequent audits.
  • The specialized website oriented at FP financing is available on H2020 here. Potentially more complicated issues can be consulted with competent employees in writing or, following an appointment, in person.

Identifying partners for joint research and development

  • NICER helps with identifying partners for joint research and development. You are welcome to approach the corresponding national contact point who will provide information about available databases of offers for cooperation according to the area of professional interest.

IntElectual property and contractual relations issues in Framework Programme projects

  • NICER provides information and consulting in the area of intellectual property and contractual relations (especially in relation to IPR issues) in H2020 projects, including information about interesting events in the CR and abroad and about news in the given field. A specialized website contains a list of useful terms and links and a number of information materials, documents and presentations.
  • The specialized website oriented at the area of IPR and contractual relations in H2020 is available here.

Monitoring and analysis of CR’s participation in EU Framework Programmes

  • NICER constantly monitors and evaluates the CR’s participation in the framework programs of the EU, prepares studies analyzing individual aspects of Czech participation in these programs and, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, proposes measures aimed at improving the CR’s participation in the European Research Area. More about the FP7 evaluation here, and newly on H2020 here.

Further activities of THE NICER department

  • Provides specialized consulting services for preparation and management of international research projects.
  • Co-organizes cooperative meetings for firms and research institutions.
  • Organizes information days on calls and specialized training for proposals and FP project management preparation.

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