14/05/2012 Source: Agentschap NLThe European Commission has published the Orientation Paper FP7 Energy Work Programme 2013 before the official publication of the calls. This version of the program contains all the topic descriptions. The expected publication of the Energy calls is on 10 July 2012. NOTE: The topics can therefore still change.Download the Paper Orientation FP7 2013 Work Programme in the area or ENERGY. Please contact Mark Broekman for more information. read more >> 14/05/2012 The Eco-innovation call 2012 within the European Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) is open. The call is open for eco-innovative products, technologies, services and processes aimed at preventing or reducing environmental impacts. Or projects that contribute to optimal use of resources.The deadline is September 6, 2012. Approximately 50 projects will be selected. The budget of Eco-Innovation is € 34.8 million. For more information please contact Mark Broekman. read more >> 12/05/2012 Bron: ZonMwThe 6th call for proposal from the European Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) has three potential issues: Prevention, Learning & Knowledge Sharing and AAL @ Work. AAL Europe asks for your input for the elaboration of these topics through an open consultation.The main objective of AAL is to improve the quality of life of elderly people and enable them to live their lives independently and in their own homes, even as they increasingly suffer physical or mental problems. Secondly, the programme will support the European economic and industrial base. Solutions will be based on the needs and wishes of elderly people and their informal carers/families. They must be involved at all stages of the programme. For more information, please contact our Servicedesk. read more >> 12/05/2012 Source: AgentschapNLThe European Commission (EC) has published an "orientation paper" for the last call in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for the Knowledge Based Bio Economy program (KBBE) theme within the Food, Agriculture & Fisheries and Biotechnology.The primary aim of funding the 'Food, Agriculture & Fisheries and Biotechnology' research theme under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is to build a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE). The EU Member States have earmarked more than € 1.9 billion for funding this theme over the duration of FP7. For more information, please contact Arno Schoevaars. read more >> 12/05/2012 Source: AgentschapNLThe European Commission (EC) has published an "orientation paper" for the last call in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for Environment. This is basically the final work program, but without budget.The orientation paper contains all the topics that will be published in early July. The overall objective of the program is to develop knowledge about our environment and eco-innovative processes, technologies, services and products. There will be much emphasis on:
- the exploitation of research
- vation and demonstration
- participation
The Paper Orientation of the work program 2013 for FP7 Environment can be found here. For more information please contact Mark Broekman. read more >> 25/04/2012 Source: AgentschapNLThe new call FP7 Environment will probably be published on 10th of July 2012. The budget is probably € 300 million for more than 30 topics. Approximately 50% of the budget is reserved for topics with mandatory participation. There is place for both large and small projects.If you would like more information, please contact Mark Broekman. read more >> 25/04/2012 Source: AgentschapNL / Cordis The call for FP7 Energy will probably be open on the 10th of July. The budget will be around € 390 million.The objective of energy research under FP7 is to aid the creation and establishment of the technologies necessary to adapt the current energy system into a more sustainable, competitive and secure one. It should also depend less on imported fuels and use a diverse mix of energy sources, in particular renewables, energy carriers and non polluting sources. For more informatie, please contact Mark Broekman. read more >> 19/04/2012 Source: European CommissionOf the European funding program Marco Polo the work program is published this week. The call documents are not yet published. Marco Polo is European funding for reducing road transport. The main changes in comparison to 2011 are:
- The indicative time for the opening of the call is the second quarter.
- The budget is € 64.6 million: in the previous round the budget was € 56.9 million
- Projects must be started between 1 January, 2012 and January 1, 2014
- Common learning actions must take at least 1 year (new) and up to 2 years
- The specific requirements for financial capacity are removed from the program
- For 20% of the budget short sea shipping projects are preferred.
Please contact Karin Jansen. read more >> 19/04/2012
Source: AgentschapNL
In late April / early May, a new call for CIP Eco-innovation will be published. This grant program focuses on marketing innovative and eco-friendly products. The expected deadline is early September. The budget is approximately € 38 million. The subsidy is 50%.
The five general themes are expected to remain similar to last year, but perhaps more emphasis on themes that have remained underexposed.
Five priority areas within Eco-Innovation are: ·
- Materials recycling
- Sustainable building products
- Food and drink sector
- Water efficiency, treatment and distribution
- Greening businesses and smart purchasing
Please contact Arno Schoevaars. read more >> 11/04/2012 Based on a positive evaluation of the WBSO scheme over the period 2006-2010, the Cabinet in the Netherland plans the following adjustments to the WBSO for 2013:
- The WBSO limit (the total amount of R&D cost per organization) is set at € 12 million. This is considerably more than € 8.5 million announced on Budget Day last year.
- The first bracket - the first € 110,000 of R&D wages - will be extended to at least € 150,000
- The WBSO rate remains at 42% because the evaluation shows that the effectiveness of higher rates is limited
- The total budget of the WBSO is € 723 million while last year € 715 million has been assumed.
For more information about the WBSO please contact Bas Schokker. 02/04/2012 Source: European Commission
MEDIA, the EU's support programme for the European audiovisual industry, has supported the development and distribution of thousands of films as well as training activities, festivals and promotion projects throughout the continent. Currently there are two support schemes:
Pilot Projects
The MEDIA 2007 programme continues to support pilot projects to ensure that the latest developments on the information and communication technology markets are introduced and taken up by the players of the European audiovisual sector.
The following are the type of actions considered under this scheme:
- Distribution: new ways of creating and distributing and promoting European content via non linear services
- Networked databases to broaden and strengthen the access and the exploitation of catalogues
- Previously funded Projects: Projects which have received funding under a previous MEDIA Plus Pilot Project Call for Proposals
Closing date for applications: 18 June 2012
Video on Demand & Digital Cinema Distribution
Digital technologies
Video on Demand & Digital Cinema Distribution
Digital technologies have made European audiovisual works more easily accessible outside their country of origin thanks to new ways of transporting audiovisual content. The competitiveness of the audiovisual content industry in Europe will strongly depend on the use of these new technologies in the distribution stage.
The main objective of this scheme is to support the creation and exploitation of catalogues of European works to be distributed digitally across borders to a wider audience and/or to cinema exhibitors through advanced distribution services, integrating where necessary digital security systems in order to protect online content. It encourages the European audiovisual industry to adapt to new developments in digital technology.
Closing date for applications: 25 June 2012 read more >> 15/03/2012
Bron: European Commission
The sixth LIFE+ call for proposals was published on 13 March 2012, with up to €276 million available for co-financing of projects under three headings: Nature and biodiversity; Environment policy and governance; and Information and communication.
Project proposals should be sent to the relevant national authority no later than 26 September, 2012. National authorities will then send them to the European Commission by 2 October, 2012. The earliest possible starting date for 2012 projects is 1 July, 2013.
Please contact Arno Schoevaars for more information. read more >> 26/02/2012 Source: European CommissionThe European Commission has published the 6th call for the ENIAC Joint Technology Initiative. A Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) is a form of cooperation of public and private parties across national borders executing a research program.With the research program ENIAC (European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council) a step forward has been made in reducing and integrating electronics (research and development of nano-electronics). There are eight categories selected:
- Automotive & Transportation
- Communications & digital lifestyles
- Energy efficiency
- Health and the aging society
- Safety & security
- Design technologies
- Semiconductors and integration process
- Equipment, materials and manufacturing
The budget for this call is € 58 million. The deadline for submitting applications is April 12th 2012. For more information see the website of the European Commission: http://tinyurl.com/7f622jf Or contact Arno Schoevaars. read more >> 21/02/2012 The SDE + grant scheme for renewable energy has been published today. This means that as of March 13th SDE + proposals can be submitted. Everyone who produces renewable energy can, under certain conditions, apply for this grant. It compensates for the price difference between renewable energy and fossil energy. For more information about the SDE+ grant scheme, please follow this link. Or contact Mark Broekman. read more >> 07/02/2012 Source: European Commission The ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) is one of the three specific programmes of The Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme (CIP) and runs for the years 2007-2013. It aims at stimulating smart sustainable and inclusive growth by accelerating the wider uptake and best use of innovative digital technologies and content by citizens, governments and businesses.The programme addresses obstacles hindering further and better use of ICT based products and services and barriers for the development of high growth businesses, notably SMEs, in this field. In addition to illustrating and validating the high value of digital technologies for the economy and society, it will foster the development of EU-wide markets for innovations enabling every company in Europe to benefit from the largest internal market in the world. Applications may be submitted on 3 February to 15 May 2012. The budget is 127 million euro. Five topics are covered:
- ICT for "smart" cities (including energy, intelligent transportation, living labs)
- Digital Content, open data and creativity (eg cultural heritage, open access, geo, eLearning)
- ICT for Health, aging well and inclusion
- Innovative ICT for government and public services Trusted eServices and other actions (including cybersecurity, mobile clouds)
For more information please visit the website of the European Commission. Or contact our Servicedesk. read more >> 20/01/2012 The EU Council has published an open invitation for European Cooperation in Science and Technology COST. COST brings together researchers and experts from different countries and working on specific areas. COST does not fund the research itself, but supports networking activities such as meetings, conferences, short term scientific exchanges and outreach activities.
Financial support for an action of 19 participating countries is approximately € 130,000 per year, subject to available resources.
Preliminary proposals to be submitted March 30, 2012. The next collection date is scheduled for September 28, 2012.
read more >> 20/01/2012
The European Commission has published the ninth call for FP7 ICT program. Eligible the following topics:
- Cognitive Systems and Robotics
- Technologies for Digital Content and Language
- ICT for Health, Ageing Well, Inclusion and Governance
- ICT for Learning and Access to Cultural Resources
- Future and Emerging Technologies
- International Cooperation
Application and budget
The application period is from January 18 to April 17, 2012. The budget is € 291 million.
Look here for detailed information. Or contact Judith Spaltman. read more >> 19/01/2012 Are you working on developing technology for new products, processes or services? Do you work closely with partners in other countries? Then you may benefit from Eurostars. It is an European Innovation Program that provides financial support to projects of research performing SME's through the national government of each participating country. Click here for more information. 09/12/2011 Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a Europe 2020 flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness. Running from 2014 to 2020 with an €80 billion budget, the EU’s new programme for research and innovation is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe.
The adoption of Horizon 2020 will:
- Strengthen the EU’s position in science with a dedicated budget of € 24 598 million. This will provide a boost to top-level research in Europe, including an increase in funding of 77% for the very successful European Research Council.
- Strengthen industrial leadership in innovation € 17 938 million. This includes major investment in key technologies, greater access to capital and support for SMEs.
- Provide € 31 748 million to help address major concerns shared by all Europeans such as climate change, developing sustainable transport and mobility, making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring food safety and security, or coping with the challenge of an ageing population.
For more information you can contact Arno Schoevaars or Judith Spaltman. read more >> 07/12/2011 PNO Belgium together with inno group and Atlantis Research performed an analysis of the outputs of the Framework Program Six (FP6)-NMP program. DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission asked the consortium to perform the study in close collaboration with DG RTD. A thorough report has been drawn up in June 2011 illustrating that the ‘FP6 NMP program has proven to be a powerful tool to stimulate and enable novel RTD activities’.
Europe’s sustainable competitiveness and thus its welfare depend on the intensity, effectiveness and efficiency of its innovation processes. Return on investment should be maximized. Evaluations are highly instrumental to serving this responsibility.
Consequently, there was a need for evaluation of the FP6-NMP Program and preparation of a sound basis for proposing alterations, adjustments and new mechanisms for the design and elaboration of the FP7 NMP successor (Horizon2020 - Nanotechnology, Advanced materials, Advanced manufacturing and processing). The evaluation by inno group, Atlantis Research and PNO as a subcontractor, was conducted at project level from June 2009 to June 2011. Based on the outputs and outcomes of the funded projects, it evaluates the effectiveness of the thematic area "Nano-technologies and nano-sciences, knowledge based multifunctional materials, and new production processes and devices" within FP6.
This report documents the findings from the evaluation, focusing on the impact generated at the micro-project level. The FP6 NMP program has proven to be a powerful tool to stimulate and enable novel RTD activities. In parallel to this study, a second evaluation was performed at the macro-strategic level.
PNO is happy to send you a copy of this report. Please contact us through this link and you will be sent the report by return. Date of report: June 2011
05/12/2011
The executive agency of the Dutch Ministry for Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Innovation published the results for the International Innovation tender two weeks ago. The tender had been closed on September 19th 2011. The applicants had the opportunity to submit their proposals for projects in industrialized countries and emerging markets. All together a total of 110 projects has been submitted. PNO has been involved in five projects that finished in the top ten and have been granted a subsidy.
The International Innovation Programme will not be continued in 2012. 27/09/2011 Countries like Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic offer an interesting landscape on cash-grants, tax incentives and soft loans. In addition, growing internal markets provide additional business opportunities.
Labour costs: due to economic instability once again high on agenda
Due to recent developments of economic instability and potentially stagnation in many Western European countries such as France, United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, pressure on production costs and pricing remains strongly present. Given labour costs benefits in CEE, investing in the region appears to be high on the agenda of many companies. Public funding and investment incentives may help reinforcing the business case. For sure, taking this aspect in consideration during decision making process is advisable.
Hungary Business Case
To illustrate the funding opportunities in CEE, we present a business case in Hungary. The client manufactures components for the automotive aftermarket. Due to growth driven by increased sales in the CEE-region and Asia, the company is investing in production capacity expansion. The total investment amounts to € 4.25 M, for which a grant of € 850,000 was obtained.
At present, Hungary opened a funding programme that supports capacity investments and job creation, with a maximum subsidy of 35% up to € 3.6 M, of eligible costs incurred. Furthermore there are possibilities for agricultural enterprises to modernize the company, which are facilities and production means (machinery, equipment). Moreover, R&D-activities concerning new product development, services and technologies (prototypes) are supported.
Although Hungary's policies are internally focused, the country remains attractive on the field of subsidies and tax incentives attracting foreign investors. The automotive industry has rediscovered Hungary in 2011.
Poland: big market, stable investment climate
In recent years Poland has proven itself as a stable country. During the economic crisis Poland has experienced no negative growth and is expected in 2011 by nearly 4% growth. Poland has currently a solid government, aimed at strengthening the economy, led by Donald Tusk. Poland, with help from the EU, now also has a well-functioning judicial system.
The upcoming months Poland has several calls for proposals in the area of R&D, including activities that lead to the development and testing of a prototype. Small and Medium Sized (SME) companies may receive up to a maximum of 70% support for industrial research and 45% for development activities. Furthermore, the establishment or expansion of an R&D location is supported, for which support of 30% to 70% may be obtained. Continuously investment subsidies and tax incentives are available for companies, both SME as well as Large companies.
Business Case Slovakia
A Dutch company experienced rising steel prices on the international market downward pressure on profit margins. By developing and implementing a manufacturing plant in eastern Slovakia, the company managed to reduce its cost base substantially. Because it meets the criteria of small businesses and the investment was realized in a priority area in Slovakia, the company obtained cash grant of € 1.2 M and a tax break for the next 5 years.
Currently, companies can submit applications for research and development activities, including industrial research, experimental development and technical feasibility studies. Depending on company size and type of activities can grant rates ranging from 70% to 25% with a maximum of € 2M grant per project.
Slovakia also has, just as Poland now, a Liberal government which attracts foreign investment. The country is particularly attractive for metallurgy companies and automotive suppliers. As a result of the Euro currency, the risk of currency exchange risk has disappeared.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic there are many possibilities for companies in the manufacturing environment.
Currently is running program Potencial, which supports the creation or expansion of development centers focused on research, development and innovation of products and technologies. This program follows another challenge – program Innovation - which encourages increased production efficiency, increase technical and utility value of products, technologies and services.
Due to the need for continuous training of employees many companies found opportunity in program Training center. This program is designed for the construction, reconstruction and modernization of premises intended for training and equipment.
Continually for this program will be announced new call from program Educa which supports training of employees and employers: aimed at deepening, increasing, restoring or maintaining the qualification and key skills.
27/09/2011
PNO Poland invites you to our conference and workshop on “Brussels Grants” titled: ‘Everything you need to know about effective application for EU community programme grants regularly announced by EC: FP7, LIFE+, CIP-ECO-INNOVATION, MARCO POLO, EUREKA, EUROSTARS’. During the meeting PNO and European Union experts with many years of practical experience regarding Brussels grants, will identify a strategic approach on optimizing public funding strategy related to EC funds, strategic planning of Poland based companies towards EU and EC-funds, as well as identify an approach enhancing innovation in polish enterprises with use of EC-funds. Workshop sessions conducted by international experts will provide you with practical guidance on the process of applying for grants from Brussels and the international consortium building, necessary to effectively apply for grants. For more details on the conference and the agenda, please see this link. The conference is planned for 11th of October 2011, is free of charge, and the venue is the Mariott Hotel in Warsaw; you can register at http://www.dotacjezbrukseli.pnocee.com/ or by filling in this form and sending it to dotacjezbrukseli@pnocee.com. read more >> 10/05/2011
Dutch Minister Maxime Verhagen of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, has presented to the European Investment Bank and the European Commission three Dutch energy projects that should be awarded subsidy. The Commission will decide on granting the subsidy in 2012.
The projects have been submitted within the NER300-programme. This programme aims at innovative sustainable energy and projects for capturing and storing CO2. It is financed from the revenues of the European Emission Trading Scheme. Every EU member state can present projects. Eight project proposals have been submitted to the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. The presented projects are the following:
- Green Hydrogen: construction of a CO2 capturing installation
- Woodspirit: construction of a innovative biomethanol plant
- Enino: placing seven innovative turbines as part of a demonstration windpark
In two of these three projects PNO has played a significant role in submitting the project proposals. In 2013 there will be a second tender. Out of both NER300 tenders, in 2011 and in 2013, at least one project and at most three projects per member state will get subsidy.
read more >> 09/02/2011 PNO participates as partner to the BIOCHEM consortium to deliver grant related tools and services to biotech and chemical industry. During its first year of operation, BIOCHEM – which supports SMEs wishing to innovate in the field of products made from biomass, such as bioplastics - has laid the groundwork for acceleration of industrial biotechnology innovation in Europe during 2011.
Enormous progress
So far, BIOCHEM has completed a comprehensive assessment of the needs, the barriers and the opportunities specific to the European bio-based products market. A partnering platform has also been developed in order to help SMEs share their ideas and identify business and research partners ready to follow them in their new activities.
“We have achieved an enormous amount in the first year of the BIOCHEM project,” commented Dr. Steve Fletcher, BIOCHEM project coordinator at Chemistry Innovation Ltd in the UK. “Our BIOCHEM business toolbox should be fully operational by April, we have assembled pieces of high quality information to support the project, and we have identified SMEs across Europe that can take advantage of all this.”
A toolbox to accelerate bio-based innovation
Once ready, the toolbox, which includes business planning tools, lifecycle analysis and access to facilities, partners and funding, will be accessible through the European Commission’s INNOVA Portal. It will be used to help selected European SMEs conceive and deploy their innovative business ideas, and to accelerate their growth within the bio-based market. “In March we will train about forty individuals – National Innovation Managers - in the use and application of the toolbox,” continues Steve Fletcher. “Then the work can begin to assess the potential of each company and provide it with information tailored to its specific profile and needs.”
A large database of relevant EU-based start-ups and SMEs who might benefit from BIOCHEM assistance has been compiled, and 100 SMEs will be audited by BIOCHEM experts throughout 2011. By the end of the project, at least 250 SMEs will have received support from BIOCHEM.
In the context of BIOCHEM PNO will provide free grant assessments for SMEs with sound project ideas on bio-based chemistry. Launched in February 2010 BIOCHEM is a pan-European project co-funded by the European Commission’s INNOVA programme to support companies entering the rapidly emerging market of bio-based products.
04/06/2010
In the Dutch region Moerdijk an incinerator works with remarkable high energy efficiency. An optimal usage of combustion gases is realized. The plant received funding from a Dutch grant called “Unieke Kansen Regeling”. “How this incinerator distinguishes itself from other incinerators is by converting the heat of the combustion gases after the boiler and fabric filter into sustainable electricity, which is then returned to the net”, says Mark Broekman, grant advisor at PNO Consultants and as intermediate involved in this project. “The waste has to be burnt anyway, so it is wise to use the energy being released during the process”
Keramine and Teflon
The technological innovation is not heating the pipes in order to generate energy, but protecting the pipes. Cooling down the combustion gases (at a temperature of approximately 180 degrees) normal pipes would get damaged, especially with this installation where gases are being cooled down more than with conventional installations. “In this incinerator a protective ceramic layer has been used for the pipes, with an additional layer of Teflon, combined with a unique flue gas condenser” Broekman explains. “The double protection prevents the pipes from corrosion or bursting during the cooling process of the gases, and simultaneously you have the advantage of the collected heat.”
Piping
The installations have been installed during the past few months. The exterior shows nothing special, which is not the case on the inside of the incinerator. “It looks like impressive piping, which powers a generator. The energy being generated saves CO2 emissions, because other power plants have to generate less energy “says Broekman. “We are talking about seven thousand tons of CO2 per year per line.” This energy has been earmarked as renewable energy, because there is no reliance on fossil fuels.
Teething problems
“Each new project has teething problems, which has also been the case with the incinerator in Moerdijk” Broekman said. "There were some faulty parts supplied - that soon led to a delay of several months. Also the installation had to shut down because of smoke gases with too high a temperature were being used, which could lead the process water to be too hot or even start boiling. By inspection, fortunately the system turned out not to be damaged.
Example
“The unique ECO 2- installation in Moerdijk and the very innovative flue condenser in particular are new for the Dutch market and function as an example for other waste incinerators” Broekman says. “When the project delivers good results, we expect others to be willing to use the same technology. I expect the CO2 emissions in the Netherlands to drop over 400.000 tons per year. From our point of view this will also be a good example of the contribution of the grant programme “Uniek Kansen Regeling” to innovation. This economic stimulus will make investments like these easier.”
For more information contact Mark Broekman. read more >> 19/05/2010
The European Chemical Industry Council, Cefic, and PNO are working together to strengthen the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem) and all grant related innovation activities in the chemical industry. As a result of this close collaboration we are pleased to announce the launch of an on-line grant information system for CEFIC members: GRANT-IT.
GRANT-IT is a unique system that provides Cefic members with a single access point and allows search through numerous EU funding programmes such as FP7, LIFE+, Eco-innovation etc, specifically filtered for the chemical industry. Moreover, it offers the opportunity to submit project ideas to be assessed by PNO’s grant experts.
Through growing research and innovation budgets with billions of Euro’s per year, the EU provides a solid financial incentive for SME’s as well as large companies, academic and public organizations, to play an important part in Europe’s innovation strategy and tackle important societal challenges such as sustainable energy supply and climate change. Also for the chemical industry innovation plays an essential role in boosting competitiveness.
Zandbergen: “PNO has been serving the chemical industry and its partners for over 20 years, identifying the right grants and building the right partnerships for successful projects that support the strategies of our clients. EU funding programmes such as FP7 are commonly considered difficult to access and sometimes not transparent. The GRANT-IT system provides a tailored tool to help overcome this barrier and make the European “grantscape” considerably more accessible.”
Cefic is the Brussels-based organization representing the European chemical industry. Since its creation in 1972, Cefic has grown to become one of the largest and most efficient advocacy network amongst the industry trade organizations in Europe and in the world. Click here to learn more about GRANT-IT and its advantages.
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representing 29,000 companies that produce 30% of the world chemicals and employ about 1.3 million people
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22 national chemical federations and 6 associated federations across Europe
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over 170 multicultural staff
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about 100 Sector Groups adressing issues relative to more than 120 product families
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over 50 Strategy Implementation Groups and Issue Teams dealing with the industry's strategic concerns such as REACH, energy, environment, international trade, research & innovation and many others
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more than 4,000 industry experts from companies and federations participate in the Cefic groups
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close cooperation with the US, Japan and other major chemical countries through ICCA and many federations and trade unions.
If you want to learn more on GRANT-IT, please contact Ron Weerdmeester. read more >> 16/04/2010
Would you invest in the construction of new transnational networks for energy? Then you can benefit from European funds to support your ambitions! Read how these grants contribute to the realization of a complex GASUNIE project.
Ambition: the gas hub of Europe
GASUNIE has set the goal for Europe to take a leading position in the gas infrastructure and gas transmission. She wants to become the major infrastructure hub in the gas network in northwest Europe, the Gas hub. Currently GASUNIE is constructing the “North-South gas route” in the Netherlands. This infrastructure will be connected to external (foreign) systems. One of the subprojects GASUNIE would like to achieve is the construction of a gas pipe from Rysum (Germany) to Midwolda (Netherlands). This requires GASUNIE to build a four kilometers long tunnel under the Eems.
Connection to sustainable ambitions Europe
In order to find the appropriate public funding for this project, PNO in the Netherlands was asked to participate. Erik Matien, PNO: "We quickly came to the conclusion that this project should be inserted at European level. We advised GASUNIE to stress the technical complexity of the project and the impact on the environment. GASUNIE showed that the construction of an underwater tunnel under a fragile river area (Ems-Dollard) is technically very difficult because of the drilling in soft soil. The chosen solution is also the most environmentally friendly. The ambitions of this project matched nicely with the European subsidy program Trans European Energy Networks (TEN - E) ".
Acceleration of execution due to subsidy
Then PNO supported GASUNIE in applying for the grant and a subsidy of € 2.8 million has been granted. On a total investment of over € 28 million for the Dutch section of the tunnel and gas pipe this is substantial additional financial support. "The grant meant an extra incentive to carry out the project. Moreover, this European grant confirms our position as leader of the European gas market," said Siebe Fox, Finance Manager of the Project Gas Hub of GASUNIE. "Without the proper guidance of PNO we would have failed to properly position our application". In the meantime, with the help of PNO, GASUNIE has also applied for a TEN-E grant for the German part of the route.
Want to know more?
Are you working on a similar project and would you like to research your grant opportunities? Please contact Erik Matien. 30/03/2010
The Dutch government conducts a large number of incentives in order to realise its policy objectives. In practice we regularly see that these incentives match with international purposes of our relations.
Fiscal incentives for research and innovation are different in every country
Many EU-countries have a tax facility which stimulates the implementation of R&D activities (R&D tax credits). In the Netherlands we know the WBSO (Wet voor Bevordering Speur en Ontwikkelingswerk). The WBSO is a tax payment reduction for R&D payroll costs made within your own venture. Other than WBSO, other countries like France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy have a programme where all R&D costs can be claimed retrospectively, whereas the WBSO envisages future costs. Moreover, the definition of R&D is not univocal: it might be that not all R&D-activities are eligible for tax credits in e.g. the United Kingdom. In Europe, France probably has the most favourable regulation with the Crédit Impôt Recherche (CIR) where companies can apply for tax credits for 50 % of the yearly R&D costs.
Considering funding opportunities when taking strategic decisions
How can international grant programmes best be used? The answer depends, amongst others, upon the organisation structure of your company. An important starting point is to identify opportunities and eligible activities at an early stage. Mainly, large investments will be discussed at corporate level, therefore it is wise to investigate funding opportunities during the internal decision process and not after. This may lead to repositioning the location of your new plant, depending on available grants. A top down approach and central steering of the grant management is necessary.
Do you want to know more?
International operations do not happen 'over night' and for many multinationals this is a long process. PNO’s methodology has helped to accelerate this process considerably. Let’s be honest: grant funding can be an enormous incentive to help develop a project. Interested in discussing your cross border activities with us? Then contact Marcel Grosfeld for more information. read more >> |
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