Representation of SMEs' interests in European Standardisation
(From ec.europa.eu)
This call for proposals aims to conclude a Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) with a European organisation representing SMEs' interests in European standardisation activities.
Objectives and description
Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European standardisation, adopted on 25 October 2012 (the Regulation) emphasises the importance of the participation of all relevant interested parties, including SMEs and societal and social stakeholders, in the European standardisation process.
Regarding the representation of SMEs interests' in standardisation, the European Commission has provided financial support to Small Business Standards (SBS) within the framework of Regulation 1025/2012 from 2014 to 2017. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) has also provided financial support to SBS, amounting about 5% of the total cost accepted by the Commission.
This call aims at the conclusion of a Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) of 3 years with the possibility to extend for 1 more year. The Commission may also award to the partner, based on the provisions of the FPA, specific grants for an action.
Eligible applicants
Applicants must be established in one of the 28 countries of the European Union.
Budget and project duration
Applicants are requested to propose a hypothetical work programme together with an indicative budget for the 1st year. In case of successful application and after the signature of the FPA, the partner will be expected to submit for agreement a work programme for 2018 together with a budget, taking into account the recommendations of the Commission's Evaluation Committee. Based on this proposal, an operating grant could be awarded.
The information given below relates to the financing of the hypothetical 1st year work programme to be included in the application for the FPA, which should be taken into account by the applicants when preparing the work programme:
Estimated maximum budget allocated for EU financing of an operating grant for 2018: €2,000,000
Estimated maximum EU financing rate of eligible costs for 2018: 85%
Call for proposals
The full text of the call for proposals is available below.
The application forms will be available soon. Applications must comply with the requirements set out in the full text and be submitted using the forms provided.
Applicants should use Electronic Submission System (SEP) to submit the proposal. Please read the guide for applicants very carefully before starting the electronic submission. You will also find the SEP guide for submission on the SEP website (available soon).
Please note that the deadline for electronic submission is 31 May 2017 at 17.00 (Brussels time).
As additional information (including the updated list of the call's questions & answers) will be posted on this webpage during the publication stage, we encourage you to visit this page regularly.
Questions on this call for proposals can be submitted in writing by sending an email to: GROW-CFP-1321-SMES-STANDARDS@ec.europa.eu