LABELLED PROJECTS: lessons learned

Most projects labelled in the frame of EURIMUS were successful. But those which encountered difficulties in the first period of EURIMUS (1998-2003) enabled to learn lessons:

1 - Differences in national policies hinder smooth launch of projects (funding & time frame)

? Some countries fund only SMEs

? Project start hangs on slowest national decision speed

2- Countries must be represented in a project by an industrial to secure ROI and thus funding

? Difficulty arise in funding projects where a country is represented only by a research institution

? Some countries may accept financing a foreign institute on behalf of a project involving one of their own company (Germany, Italy)

3 - Proposal and tender timing must take into account election periods

? National funding policies vary with the outcome of elections

? Decisions are in standby during pre-electoral times