The overall objective of this requested delivery within the INT Service Facility (ISF, framework contract) is to integrate National Contact Points (NCPs) from EU Partner Countries and regions into the activities and events available to their counterparts in EU Member States and Associated Countries (MS/AC) to Horizon 2020, building to the maximum extent possible on the results and recommendations of the first phase of NCP support actions.
The duties of NCPs are clearly defined by the EC in the “minimum standards and guiding principles”. These guiding principles state that NCPs should provide high professional support services to their national research community such as Guidance and information on Horizon 2020 calls, Advice on administrative procedures and contractual issues, as well as co-financing options, Training and assistance on proposal writing, Distribution of documentation (forms, guidelines, manuals etc.) and Assistance in partner search.
But contrary to the NCPs in MS/AC, NCPs in Partner Countries lack contact with European NCP network projects and the access to information provided by the EU Commission.
Taking this into account the objective of this service contract in a second phase is:
- to identify major International Cooperation (INCO) flagship events according to the Commission’s priorities and organise NCP support activities back to back,
- link NCP network projects in MS/AC with NCPs in Partner Countries to improve collaboration between them,
- review the current NCP system in EU Partner Countries and prepare the process for Horizon Europe.
ZSI is implementing quality management activities and evaluation of the first phase of the NCP contract.
