Activities of Kent JOHANSSON related to 2011/0399(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules for the participation and dissemination in 'Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)' PDF (816 KB) DOC (1 MB)
Amendments (34)
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Horizon 2020 should be implemented with a view to contributing directly to creating industrial leadership, sustainable growth and employment in Europe and should reflect the strategic vision of the Commission Communication of 6 October 2010 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Region ‘Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation’ whereby the Commission engages to radically simplify access of participants.
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) An integrated approach should be ensured by bringing together activities covered by the Seventh Framework Programme for research, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (the EIT) to make participation easier, create a more coherent set of instruments and increase the scientific and economic impact while avoiding duplication and fragmentation. Common rules should apply in order to ensure a coherent framework which should facilitate the participation in programmes receiving Union financial contribution from the budget of Horizon 2020, including the participation in programmes managed by the EIT, joint undertakings or any other structures under Article 187 TFEU or participation in programmes undertaken by Member States pursuant to Article 185 TFEU. However, flexibility to adopt specific rules should be ensured whenin exceptional cases when explicitly justified by the specific needs of the respective actions and with Commission consent. This shall hold especially in order to boost opportunity- seizing activities in sectors with short research and innovation cycles, to ease the participation of SMEs and to simplify procedures for activities directly building on funded research results.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Actions which fall within the scope of this Regulation shouldall respect fundamental rights and observe the principles acknowledged in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Such actions should be in conformity with any legal obligation and with ethical principles, which include avoiding any kind of plagiarism.
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) It is necessary to note the importance of a reinforced gender perspective in the design, implementation and delivery of Horizon 2020.
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) It is appropriate to establish the terms and conditions for providing Union funding for participants in actions under Horizon 2020. In order to reduce the complexity of the existing funding rules and have a higher flexibility in the project implementation, a simplified cost reimbursement system should be adopted with enhanced use of lump sums, flat rates and scale of unit costs. For simplification purposes, a single reimbursement rate should be applied for each type of action with no differentiation according to the type of participant, regardless of the activity. However, there should be a differentiation between universities, research organisations, research institutes and SMEs on the one hand, and industry on the other.
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) The cost models used shall achieve a real simplification for participants and increased participation for all beneficiaries compared to FP7. This shall be achieved through the use of simplified audit procedures, a broader acceptance of the usual accounting practices of the beneficiaries, the use of a flat rate option, adherence to the rules on state aid and by attracting co-financing from structural funds related to capacity building activities;
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) In accordance with Regulation (EU) No XX/XX [Financial Regulation], these rules for the participation and dissemination should provide the basis for a wider acceptance of the usual accounting practices of the beneficiaries and to accept beneficiaries' own accounting practices in establishing eligible costs. For this purpose, the requirements of audit certificates, including the certificates on methodology, should be adapted appropriately. The Commission should establish to the greatest possible extent a single audit approach, leaving sufficient flexibility for the acknowledgement of common accounting practices, with due regard to nationally accepted accounting practices.
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Rules governing the exploitation and dissemination of results should be laid down to ensure that the participants protect, exploit and disseminate those results as appropriate, in particular the possibility of additional exploitation, dissemination or licensing conditions in the European strategic interest, or where a predominant public interest exists, and shall be in full compliance with intellectual property rights.
Amendment 171 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) In order to enhance transparency, steps shall be taken by the Commission or relevant funding body to disclose, upon request from EU citizens or their directly elected representatives, the details of projects undertaken under this programme.
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 b (new)
Recital 19 b (new)
(19b) All research and innovation builds on the capacity of scientists, research institutions, businesses and citizens to openly access share and use scientific information. However, intellectual property rights must be respected.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Without prejudice to Article 3, the Commission shall, upon request, make available to the Union institutions and bodies, any Member State or, associated country and Union citizens or their directly elected representative, any useful information in its possession on results of a participant that has received Union funding, provided that both the following conditions are met:
Amendment 242 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4a Guidance and information for potential participants 1. The Commission shall ensure that sufficient guidance and information is made available to all potential participants, in parallel with the publication of the first annual work programme of Horizon 2020. 2. The following documents shall be drawn up in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders and adopted by the Commission by means of implementing acts in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 9(2): a) rules for submission, evaluation, selection and award; b) standard model grant agreement; c) rules on audit certification. 3. Furthermore, the following guidance and information documents shall be drawn up in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders and disseminated by the Commission appropriately: a) guidance note on drafting proposals, including detailed information on the evaluation and selection process; b) guidance note for beneficiaries; c) guide to financial issues; d) guide to intellectual property rights (IPR); e) checklist for consortium agreement. 4. The stipulations the Commission adapts in the above mentioned documents, concerning the interpretation of the rules laid down in Regulation (EU) No XX/XX [Financial Regulation] and this Regulation, shall remain valid throughout the whole duration of the programme.
Amendment 268 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Without prejudice to the other cases provided for in Regulation (EU) No XX/2012 [Financial Regulation] and in Regulation (EU) No XX/2012 [Delegated Regulation], calls for proposals shall not be issued for coordination and support actions and programme co-fund actions to be carried out by legal entities identified in the work programmes provided that the action does not fall under the scope of a call for proposals. Calls for proposals may take all forms, including open calls, which are necessary to ensure the level of flexibility imposed by the diversity of research and innovation sectors and activities, from long-term projects to short-term opportunity-seizing activities.
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10a A simplified two-stage evaluation procedure may apply, if stated so in the work programme, provided that no prolongation of the overall evaluation period is entailed.
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. A proposal which contravenes ethical principles, fundamental rights or any applicable legislation, or which does not fulfil the conditions set out in Decision No XX/XX/EU [specific programme], the work programme or work plan or in the call for proposals may be excluded from the evaluation, selection and award procedures at any time.
Amendment 292 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Any proposal for research with the potential for further development into a novel medical technology (e.g. drugs, vaccines, medical diagnostics) shall include a draft plan specifying a strategy to guarantee the immediate and widest possible access to this technology, where lack of access to the technology would pose a threat to the protection of public health.
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Amendment 322 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Where appropriate, the potential of a proposal to foster international cooperation on key topics such as standardization shall be taken into account in the evaluation procedure.
Amendment 336 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission or the relevant funding body shall provide an fully transparent evaluation review procedure for applicants who consider that the evaluation of their proposal has not been carried out in accordance with the procedures set out in these rules, the relevant work programme or work plan and the call for proposals.
Amendment 337 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission or the relevant funding body shall be responsible for the examination of this request. This examination shall only cover the procedural aspects of the evaluation, and not the merit of the proposal.
Amendment 341 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. An evaluation review committee composed of Commission staff or of the relevant funding body staff shall provide an opinion on the procedural aspects transparent and objective opinion ofn the evaluation process. It shall be chaired by an official of the Commission or of the relevant funding body, from a department other than the one responsible for the call for proposals. The committee may recommend one of the following:
Amendment 362 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 5
Article 16 – paragraph 5
5. The grant agreement shall, where appropriate, contain provisions ensuring the respect of ethical principles and fundamental rights, including the establishment of an independent ethics board and the right of the Commission to carry out andelegate an independent ethics audit.
Amendment 366 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The Commission or the relevant funding body shall ensure that the time between the deadline for proposals as established by the individual calls for proposals and the signature of the grant agreement, or where applicable the grant decision, shall be limited to a maximum period of six months. Due to the complexity of certain consortia, at least four months of this period should be given to participants to accept the grant offer. The period may be extended by one month in exceptional cases.
Amendment 371 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
The Commission or the relevant funding body mayshall establish a secure electronic application system for exchanges with the participants, that shall inform applicants of the details and timeline of their application, in an easily accessible format. This system shall provide feedback to applicants so they know when they are likely to receive a decision from the Commission or relevant funding body. A document submitted by means of this system, including grant agreements, shall be deemed to be the original of that document where the user identification and password of the participant's representative have been used. Such identification shall constitute the signature of the document concerned.
Amendment 400 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. A single reimbursement rate of the eligible costs shall be applied per action for all activities funded therein. The maximum rate shall be fixed in the work programme or work plan. The funding model shall achieve the following: a) real simplification for participants compared to FP7 in accordance with simplified audit procedures; b) a strengthened possibility to participate for research organisations, universities and SMEs; c) an increased industry participation compared to FP7, primarily through real simplification, d) a broader acceptance of the usual accounting practices of the beneficiaries; e) a flat rate option; f) adherence to the rules on state aid, and to ensure the funding model does not lead to market distortions; g) attract co-financing from structural funds related to capacity building activities;
Amendment 423 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 4
Article 22 – paragraph 4
4. The Horizon 2020 grant may reach a maximum of 1090 % of the total eligible costs, without prejudice to the co- financing principle for universities, research organisations, research institutes and SMEs, and a maximum of 75% for industry.
Amendment 429 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5
Article 22 – paragraph 5
Amendment 441 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 22 – paragraph 5 – point a
Amendment 446 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 22 – paragraph 5 – point b
Amendment 459 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 492 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. Indirect eligible costs shall be determined by applying a flat rate of 250% of the total direct eligible costs, for universities, research organisations, research institutes and SMEs, and 20% for industry. This flat rate excludinges direct eligible costs for subcontracting and the costs of resources made available by third parties which are not used on the premises of the beneficiary, as well as financial support to third parties.
Amendment 587 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 37 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
2. Independent experts shall be chosen on the basis of skills, experience and knowledge appropriate to carry out the tasks assigned to them. When appointing independent experts, the Commission shall seek to achieve a balanced composition within the expert groups in terms of various skills, experience, knowledge and gender. In cases where independent experts have to deal with classified information, the appropriate security clearance shall be required before appointment.
Amendment 763 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49 f (new)
Article 49 f (new)
Article 49f SME Instrument 1. Only SMEs may apply for calls for proposals issued under the dedicated SME instrument referred to in Article [18] of Regulation (EU) No XX/XX [Horizon 2020]. They shall be encouraged to participate jointly with other companies, research organisations and universities. Once a company has been validated as an SME this legal status shall be assumed to prevail for the entire duration of the project, even in cases where the company, due to its growth, later on exceeds the ceilings foreseen within the SME definition. 2. Calls for proposals under the SME instruments shall be open calls, taking a bottom-up approach towards the topic to the greatest possible extent. A simplified two-stage evaluation procedure may apply, if stated so in the work programme, provided that no prolongation of the overall evaluation period is entailed. 3. In accordance with Article 17a, the 'time-to-contract' under the SME instrument may not exceed six months. 3. In accordance with this Regulation, the grant agreement concluded under the SME instrument may lay down specific provisions, in particular on subcontracting, ownership, access rights, exploitation and dissemination of results. 4. Where revision of the grant agreement concluded under the SME instrument is necessary during the implementation of an action, in particular with regards to changes in the composition of the consortium, a simplified revision procedure shall apply. 5. The Commission shall ensure sufficient complementarities between the SME instrument under Horizon 2020 and the Financial Instruments under Horizon 2020 and COSME as well as schemes and instruments set up jointly with Member States, such as the Eurostars Joint Programme.