For Large Enterprises in Collaborative Projects

eCall Annex: Evidence of incentive effect of funding

for large enterprises in collaborative projects

(max. 2 pages for your explanations)

0.  Why do we need evidence?

Pursuant to the EU Community Framework for State Aid for Research, Development and Innovation the FFG must request large enterprises[1] to demonstrate the incentive effect of the aid.

Please use the form provided below.

What do we mean by ‘incentive effect’ (additionality)?

The incentive effect of funding is taken to mean the impact of the aid granted to the enterprise, i.e. what effects will the funding have that would not be achieved without this support?

What is needed in particular?

The incentive effect must meet at least one of the following 4 criteria for your enterprise:

1.  shorter project completion time

2.  larger project size

3.  wider project scope

4.  higher R&D investment

Please demonstrate the incentive effect of the funding for at least one criterion. A simple statement of the incentive effect, e.g. that the project will be completed in a shorter period of time, will not be sufficient. The EC stipulates that applicants need to provide plausible evidence of how the funding will improve the project.

The following outlines the requirements specified by the European Commission (EC).

1.  Incentive effect on project completion time

Explain to what extent and why the funding allows you to complete your part of the project in a shorter period of time than possible without funding.

2.  Incentive effect on project size

Give reasons why the funding allows you to expand the size of your part of the project compared to the project being carried out without funding.

3.  Incentive effect on project scope

Give reasons why the funding makes your part of the project more ambitious. A higher level of ambition can mean that the project

-  is focused on more radical leaps in innovation

-  follows a more long-term (non-market oriented) and research-intensive [as opposed to market oriented and development intensive] approach

-  involves a higher technical risk

-  involves a higher market risk

-  leads to new or more extensive collaborations

Question: In what way does the funding allow the project to be set up in a more ambitious manner (e.g. closer involvement of research partners, higher level of innovation)?

4.  Incentive effect on the company’s R&D investments

Explain how the funding will increase your company’s R&D investments beyond the project scope, for example by

-  creating additional R&D jobs

-  leading to investment in additional R&D infrastructure

-  stimulating additional R&D projects

[1] Large enterprises according to EU definition: more than 250 employees and an annual turnover exceeding EUR 50 million or an annual balance sheet total exceeding EUR 43 million.

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/files/sme_definition/sme_user_guide_en.pdf