Strengthening the support capacity of National Contact Points

22 National Contact Points (NCPs) have received training to strengthen their capacity to support applicants and better guide beneficiaries during their research project implementation. Participants shared feedback from researchers.

Part of the session was dedicated to exchanging experiences on the Dissemination & Exploitation of Results (D&E) during the research project’s lifecycle.

The gathering was also an opportunity for NCPs to share with the Research Executive Agency (REA) and the European Commission (EC) Research & Innovation department their experiences and convey questions from their clients.

There was also a comprehensive discussion on the possible role of NCPs as multipliers to encourage talks between Horizon 2020 projects and, e.g., national ministries that sometimes request to know the results of EU-funded research projects.

Concerning the sustainability of research projects, the NCP participants suggested clarifying the EC landscape, i.e. other relevant programmes that could offer funding continuity or help in the very early stages of the development of potentially innovative ideas.

NCPs also pointed out that participation as experts in the evaluation process is considered a factor of personal progress for scientists and thus a positive element for their careers.

For further information, please contact:

Halina Walasek, European Commission's Research & Innovation

Jens Hemmelskamp, Research Executive Agency (REA)