Update 25-07-2024: The selection process has been closed, the notice can be found here.

Update 11-07-2024: The selection process has been prolonged, the new notice can be found here.

The National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences (INCDSB) announces the opening of the selection process for partners willing to participate in consortium with INCDSB in the projects Smart Growth, Digitalisation and Financial Instruments Programme 2021-2027, Priority 1. Supporting and promoting an attractive and competitive RDI system in Romania, Specific Objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies (ERDF), Action 1.1 - Support for the private sector and for collaboration between public and business actors in the field of RDI, Measure 1.1.2 - Increasing the degree of public-private collaboration (FBOs and SMEs), Call for proposals: Support for RDI projects for thematic consortia between public-private partners.

The thematic topics will fall within the smart specialisation domains and sub-domains supported by Measure 1.1.2, as set out in Annex 11 to the Guidelines for Applicants, namely:

• SI Domain: 1.Bioeconomy, subdomains: Technologies for the blue economy; Seed and breed breeding; Technologies for organic farming, agroecology and forestry; Agriculture 4.0; Safe and sustainable food for a healthy diet
• IS Domain: 3. Energy and Mobility subdomain Modern low or zero emission power generation technologies
• SI domain: 5. Advanced Functional Materials subdomains Optoelectronics, Intelligent composite materials, Recyclable materials and materials recycling technologies, Materials for electronic, electrical, photonic, magnetic and sensing applications, Biocompatible materials
• SI Domain: 6. Environment and eco-technologies sub-domains Technologies for environmental management, monitoring and depollution, Technologies for the circular economy.

The thematic consortia that will apply to access projects on action 1.1., measure 1.1.2  will be made up of INCDSB as partnership leader and a minimum of 3 enterprises, the topics falling within the above-mentioned smart specialisation fields and subfields being included in the INCDSB research directions defined by multiannual strategic plan 2021-2027  concerning, but not limited to: (1) environment, biodiversity and climate change, (2) agriculture, nutrition and food security, (3) bio-medicine and health, (4) applied biotechnology (agricultural biotechnology, food biotechnology, medical biotechnology, pharmaceutical and dermato-cosmetic biotechnology, etc.), (5) biomaterials and bioproducts, (6) bioinformatics, (7) bioanalysis, and, in the current national and European context (8) circular bioeconomy, (9) Green Deal principles.

Companies wishing to cooperate with INCDSB research organisations for the thematic consortia should express their interest in writing, through a letter of interest (the format of the letter of interest can be found at here) for the transfer of knowledge and RDI results available at the level of INCD Biological Sciences with branches, respectively for those available at the level of INCDSB branches, namely the Biological Research Institute Cluj Napoca and the Biological Research Institute Iași, explicitly mentioning the field and subfield of intelligent specialisation of interest.  Interested organisations should send their letter of interest to: dir.inovare@incdsb.roFor the attention of Dr Simona Carmen Lițescu Filipescu, tel 0723519901, email: simona.litescu@incdsb.ro, with cc to office@incdsb.ro, office@icbcluj.ro, office@icbiasi.ro (as applicable), signed and stamped by the legal representative, until 12 July 2024, 13.00.

Eligibility conditions and funding rules for enterprise partners are in accordance with the provisions of the state aid scheme approved by Ord. MIPE nr. 3284/31.08.2023 and the minimis.

The selection procedure is carried out in accordance with THE METHODOLOGY FOR THE SELECTION OF PRIVATE PARTNERS BY RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS INTENDING TO SUBMIT PROJECTS IN PARTNERSHIP IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE FUNDING AVAILABLE UNDER THE POCIDIF and implies the fulfilment of all the selection criteria mentioned as well as of the following rules: the fulfilment of the administrative eligibility criteria in accordance with the State Aid Scheme, respectively the de minimis aid scheme, as well as the fulfilment of the technical eligibility conditions.

Documents needed for administrative eligibility check (list of documents can be found here, the selection criteria are those mentioned in the methodology for the selection of partners, the administrative compliance and eligibility check sheet can be found at here) are sent to the email address dir.inovare@incdsb.ro until 16.07.2024 at 14.00. The format of the required documents is available in Guide for Applicants and will be sent by email to both the contact person and the legal representative of the interested organisation, after registration of the letter of intent.

Documents needed for verification of technical eligibility (list of documents can be found at here, the selection criteria are those mentioned in the partner selection methodology, the technical eligibility check sheet can be found at here) are sent to the email address dir.inovare@incdsb.ro until 19.07.2024 at 14.00. The format of the required documents is available in Guide for Applicants and will be sent by email to both the contact person and the legal representative of the interested organisation, after registration of the letter of intent.

For enterprises, the funding rates are calculated as a percentage of the eligible costs of the project, by categories of activities, depending on the type of enterprise (medium, small, including micro enterprises) and the location of implementation, in accordance with the provisions of the State Aid Scheme, respectively the de minimis scheme for R&D and innovation activities funded by Priority 1 of the Smart Growth, Digitalisation and Financial Instruments Programme (PoCIDIF).

The result of the partner selection process will be published on the INCDSB website on page current by 23.07.2024 and letters of admission/rejection will be sent to interested parties within a maximum of 3 days to the email address provided in the letter of intent.

The selected private entities will sign a partnership agreement together with the lead research organisation and the other consortium members for each thematic consortium set up under the provisions of Applicant's Guide.