SMEs and Research - European Commission - Europa

The principle findings of the impact assessment are as follows:
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Main findings
All schemes have a high net-value effect
Within Co-operative Research, a high number of “technologically competent” SMEs
participate
The important role of RTD-Performers in the initial stages of project selection and
submission was identified
The high net effect of the Collective Research scheme, which fills an important gap in the
EU-RTD support landscape, was noted
ETIs have a strong structuring effect, and few alternatives are available
Further effort with regard to business intelligence is needed in order to increase socioeconomic
impact
The impact assessment shows that the Commission funding schemes have accurately identified
a need in the European funding landscape and successfully addressed that need. Each scheme
has a high net effect for all of those involved. A majority of participants state that their project
would not have been carried out were it not for EU funding, and that they topped off the cost
of the project with their own money. The fact that private firms contribute increasing amounts
of their own funds to research, is an important element of the Lisbon Agenda. Increased
R&D funding from the private sector is considered essential for the success of the European
knowledge-based economy. There is clear evidence that these schemes fill a gap in the
public support architecture that is not filled elsewhere. The vast majority of national funding
initiatives do not allow for international cooperation — a requirement of
EU schemes — helping likeminded companies throughout Europe
to reach their technological goals.
The Co-operative Research scheme is geared towards
technically savvy SMEs that are capable of identifying
opportunities in the market, yet lack the resources to
bring their idea to life. These schemes indeed place
effective tools at the disposal of innovative SMEs to
help them overcome financial hurdles. Though SMEs
with ‘minimum capability’ for technological innovation
are eligible to participate, the SMEs most likely to obtain
funding are more likely to be ‘technologically competent’.
They tend to be firms incorporating several engineers,
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