11th EU Research Liaison Officers meeting

The 11th EU Research Liaison Officers meeting was hosted by the University of Vienna in cooperation with IST Austria, 28-29 November (Monday-Tuesday).

Report by Diana Pustula, Deputy Head of Research Services Office, University of Warsaw, and Chair of the EU Research Liaison Officers Group

On 28-29 November 2016 the EU Research Liaison Officers from all over Europe participated in the 11th meeting organised by the University of Vienna in cooperation with IST Austria. This year, the Group's annual meeting was devoted to four main thematic blocks concerning H2020 financial issues, ethics, research projects' evaluation and the future of the EU Framework Programmes. To this end, the research liaison officers focused on identifying financial issues in H2020 they consider unclear or challenging in the context of periodical reporting, including durable equipment depreciation rates or internal invoicing. The main aim was to share experience and best practices while discussing those issues with peers and to look for common solutions. The participants had an opportunity to learn about ethic issues in the EU research projects in the context of responsible research. To be able to fully benefit from the vivacious discussions, a perspective of the ERCEA ethics experts was added. Additionally, the attendees had a chance to meet face to face with the evaluators of proposals submitted under H2020 who shared details of the evaluation process and gave advice on how to avoid common mistakes while supporting the researchers preparing successful proposals. Last but not least, the research-related priorities of the Slovak presidency and a status report on the FP9 discussions and consultations at the national and EC levels were presented in the final session, "The Future of Horizon2020". 

Documents

• Programme (final version as of 18/11/2016)
• Practical information
• List of participants & speakers

Presentations

• Welcome remarks by Kris DEJONCKHEERE, Secretary General, UNICA
• Participant Portal and reporting by Magdalena KLESZCZEWSKA, Research Liaison Officer, University of Warsaw 
• Calculating the depreciation for equipment used in H2020 projects: consequences of the new rule by Elena BILLI-RIZZA, Head of European Affairs for Research and Innovation, Corporate Partnerships and Technology Transfer Office, and Inmaculada BONILLA-LOPEZ, Head of European Financial Affairs, Université Pierre et Marie Curie
• The case of IST Austria - their procedure (charging for the use of facilities) by Christa NEUGSCHWENDTNER, Expert Finance/Controlling, IST Austria
• Talking positive about H2020 - All what we like about the Programme by Diana PUSTUŁA, Deputy Head of Research Services Office, University of Warsaw
• EU Research Liaison Officers Working Group, UNICA General Assembly 2016 by Diana PUSTUŁA, Deputy Head of Research Services Office, University of Warsaw
• Ethics support at the University of Leeds by Jennifer BLAIKIE, Research & Innovation Service, University of Leeds 
• Introduction to the session IV: Project evaluation in European Research programmes
• Responsible research from the ERC's perspective by Marie-Sophie PEYRE, Project Adviser, European Research Council Executive Agency, ERC.B.1 - Process Management and Review
• Black Sea Horizon project by Elena NASYBULINA, Leading Expert at the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) / National Contact Centre for International Academic Mobility
• Financial issues in H2020 - European Commission's perspective by Toni Amanda SKEEN, Head of Sector – Audit Support & HI Helpdesk/Events, European Research Council Executive Agency, ERCEA.C.4 - Audit Management and Implementation
• Insight into discussions and consultations on FP9 by Martin SCHMID, Member of Austrian Federal Ministry for Science and Research in EU Research Policy and Coordination
• Research-related priorities of the Slovak presidency by Daniel STRAKA, Head of the Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development in Brussels

Additional material

Vidala S., Laureanob R., Trindadebc M. (2015). Assessing the impact of Grant Managers on the success of grant applications. Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education, DOI: 10.1080/13603108.2015.1019948

„Spreading Excellence and Crossing the Innovation Divide" Conference in Brussels on 23.11.2016 (with the participation of Commissioner Carlos Moedas)

• Video: Morning session
• Video: Afternoon session

More information

For any additional information, please contact Marta Brelih-Wasowska from the UNICA Secretariat: marta.wasowska@unica-network.eu