Xecs call for projects

Timeframe

• Xecs Call 2 Launch event online: 29 September 2022
• Brokerage event at EFECS in Amsterdam: 24-25 November 2022
• Project Outlines submission deadline: 23 February 2023 at 17:00 CET
• Full Project Proposal submission deadline: 25 May 2023 at 17:00 CET

Scope

Electronic components and systems (ECS) and micro- and nanoelectronics-based systems and applications are now the cornerstones of economic and societal development. To keep ahead in global markets, a solid understanding of rapidly changing needs is essential. Shape your project to include the establishment of innovation and exploitation ecosystems involving all relevant stakeholders.

Guided by the ECS Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda prepared by experts and gathered by the three Industry Associations AENEAS, EPoSS, and Inside, Xecs launches calls for projects that address the full value chain of ECS and so benefit from the wide dynamic innovation ecosystem stimulated by these industry associations.

Xecs projects bring together partners from all along the ECS value chain into R&D and innovation ecosystems. By forming these project ecosystems using complementary partners, which cover all aspects of expertise required to meet and exceed the current state-of the art, impact will be created.

Read more on the technological challenges.

Eligibility

To apply, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• Your project is industry-driven, technically innovative and application-oriented.
• Your project aims to develop an innovative product(s), process(es) or service(s) and has a civilian purpose.
• Your project reflects market demand, market pull and market expectations at least two years after completion of the project.
• Your consortium must include at least two partners from a minimum of two Eureka countries, covering at least an essential section of the complete ECS value chain. We recommend involving partners from at least three countries.
• Your project should benefit all involved partners in a well-balanced consortium (no single organisation or country can be responsible for more than 70% of the project budget)

Project consortia can be composed of representatives from large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research institutes, universities and end-user organisations (profit or non-profit).

Funding information

Financial support is provided according to national funding rules and procedures.

To prepare a successful proposal, project participants need to be aware that there may be significant differences in funding procedures depending on your national rules. All project partners should contact their national funding body as early on as possible to make sure your project proposal fits within national public authorities' priorities and funding rules before submitting it to Xecs.

Contact your national funding body using the form below.

If you have any questions, contact the Xecs office.

Events

We offer opportunities to find potential project partners and build your consortium at the EFECS pre-brokerage event, which will be held on 24-25 November 2022. To present your project ideas, pitch slots are available and pitch posters can be presented in the exhibition area.

How to prepare your project application and apply

Phase one - Project idea development

The development of potential ideas for projects is a continuous process that can begin at the Xecs Call 2 Launch Event and be stimulated by the networking activities at the events we co-organise, like EFECS.

A useful service for looking at ideas or finding partners for your ideas is the ECS Collaboration Tool. This is open to all and available 24/7 online.

Phase two - Consortium building

This Xecs call for projects will be launched 29 September, followed by the opening of the Project Zone where you can develop your project ideas and either invite partners to your project or join projects led by others.

You can also attend the events we co-organise, like EFECS to network, pitch and present your idea and build your consortia. The ECS Collaboration Tool also helps you to find new partners.

Phase three - Project submission and evaluation

You must submit your Xecs project through the Project Zone in two stages: a Project Outline and a Full Project Proposal.

The Xecs office is available throughout this process to support you and answer any questions you may have.

Project Outlines are evaluated by technical experts and national funding bodies, and successful projects are invited to submit a Full Project Proposal. All projects receive extensive feedback to help create the best possible Full Project Proposal, or for those not invited, help with a possible future project submission.

The Full Project Proposals then go through a second evaluation cycle and funding decisions are made, generally subject to the completion of individual country national funding processes.

Phase four - Project implementation

Once funding is confirmed, your project will start at a “kick off” meeting. The Xecs office and the national funding authorities will work with you on a reporting and review process throughout the three years of the project. As in all the other phases, the emphasis will be on giving you the maximum support possible (technical and otherwise) to ensure a successful “high impact” outcome for all project partners.

How to apply

1. Each project partner should get in touch with their national funding body/public authority well in advance of any Project Outline submission to find out the national deadline, eligibility criteria, information needed and/or additional forms to be completed.
2. Submit a Project Outline in the Project Zone. The Project Outline gives a short overview of your project, mainly to describe the project goals, innovation, targeted business impact and consortium. Project Outlines that are positively evaluated are invited to the second stage of the call process.
3. Submit a Full Project Proposal in the Project Zone. Successful Project Outlines will be invited to submit a Full Project Proposal. There you will describe your project plan and how the project will be executed and managed. Approved Full Project Proposals will receive a Eureka label and eligible partners can start with the national funding process.

Create an account in the Project Zone and you are immediately able to initiate a project. You can also access the ECS Collaboration Tool to find partners and create consortia or to search for expertise or ideas.

Project consortia must take into account that their project will be reviewed in two ways:

• Technical experts will assess the project as a whole and give recommendations for improvement to finally make the project a success. All projects are assessed according to the same set of criteria.
• At the same time, the individual national funding bodies will check (amongst other things) whether national criteria are met, partners are eligible for funding and societal and economic return on investment for the partner(s) in their specific country. Both criteria must be addressed in the project submission.

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