1: Is there a maximum number of partners to be involved in a proposal?

The call only foresees the minimum number of partners to be involved and their characteristics. Composition and size of the partnership will be subject of quality evaluation; it is recommended to clearly describe the role of  each partner in the application form.

2: May bodies located in  countries outside the ADRION programme area participate in the project as financing project partners? For example, may a body located in Hungary be involved in the partnership?

Project financing partners located outside of the programme area are not eligible.

3: Having regard to the location of the involved universities/faculties, is it advisable to engage several business partners in the same  ADRION partner countries, to be able to absorb all the interns during master implementation?

This solution is possible and must be justified in the application Form. Involvement of business partners (location, number, characteristics etc)  will be subject of quality assessment.

4: What about the participation of universities/faculties in more than one project proposals?

The participation of a university or of a faculty depends on its legal independency and on the national university structure.

A university or a faculty is independent if it has its own VAT number; if this is the case, it can apply only once as a lead partner and no more than three times as project partner.

The respect of this rule shall be verified during the eligibility check.

5: Can a project partner can participate only in one proposal per topic (Blue Economy, Social Innovation, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy) either as Lead Applicant or Project Partner?

The call does not foresee limitations in respect of number of proposals per topic under which one institution can apply. However, we strongly recommend focusing the efforts and mobilising available resources towards writing/taking part in good quality project proposal(s), instead of focusing on the quantity, as this will in no way increase the possibilities to get funding. Given the available programme resources for this call and the deadline for submission of project proposals, our advice is to carefully evaluate possible partnerships and topics and focus only on those for which a good quality project proposal in line with all call requirements can be presented.

6: Which is the role foreseen for business partners? Are they expected to be involved in the implementation of internships only?

In addition to the implementation of internships, business partners are expected to be involved in the definition of the master programme to ensure that it corresponds to the needs of the market and state-of-the-art of the selected business sector.

7: How many times can a business organisation apply in this call for proposals?

As far as business organisations are concerned, there is no limit regarding their participation. However, their capacity in being part in more than one project shall be subject to quality assessment.

8: Are business support organisations and regional economic development agencies eligible as business partner?

The main reason of the involvement of business entities is their engagement in internship. From the technical point of view, it is not clear the added value of a business entity not directly involved in internships.

Business support organizations and regional economic development agencies involved in the project partnership without a direct engagement in the internship will not positively assessed.

However, they can support the partnership during its preparation phase to identify suitable bodies for hosting students’ internship. In case it is decided to involve them in the project, sound justification must be provided in the application form.

 

9: Can an NGO be considered as a business partner?

NGOs can be project partners upon conditions that they are active in the topic chosen for the future master and are able to be effectively involved in the internships.

 

10: Can other bodies be involved as project partners?

Other public and private entities than those reported in the programme manual and whose main ordinary scope of activities and expected to be implemented in the project is activities coordination, management, communication, or knowledge management, are not considered as eligible partners.

 

11: Has the programme envisaged a tool to facilitate partner search? A dedicated LinkedIn group has been created:

https://www.linkedin.com/signup/cold-join?session_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elinkedin%2Ecom%2Fgroups%2F14096662%2F&trk=login_reg_redirect

12: Could an extension of the deadline for the submission of the project proposals be envisaged?

It is not possible to extend the time for the submission of the project proposals as this would imply a consequent reduction of the time for projects implementation. By end of December 2023, all programme administrative procedures related to projects monitoring and closure must be finalized.

13: In WPT1 is stated that per each involved partner, at least 1 representative responsible for the development of each of the sub-points above should be included.

The partnership must envisage a proactive participation of all partners.

14: How long shall the internship last?

The joint master must foresee an internship of up to 6 months at the business partner(s) (e.g.: SME) and/or research institution(s). The students must attend a specific university for some courses/modules at least 50% of the total master duration; other 50% of the master duration will be divided among attendance of courses at other University(ies) and internship within research institution or business partner.

15: Which is the minimum envisaged number of compulsory educational formats participants?

It is envisaged that at least 25 participants (i.e.: students) shall attend summer schools, training formats and/or other educational formats that partnership will decide to implement under WPT1. Participants shall come from the different partner countries of the ADRION programme to the possible maximum extent.

16: Shall all the universities involved in a project deliver a joint degree or will it be also possible to offer multiple degrees?

The delivery of a joint degree is recommended. In case of legal constraints that must be adequately underlined in the project proposal, multiple degrees are also possible.

17: With the word “master” is it intended a two-year programme (i.e.: Italian “laurea magistrale”) or a one-year programme? How many credits should the programme have? Should the dean sign a commitment agreement? What happens if the master programme doesn’t eventually find implementation?

The duration of the master programme is left open, but the implementation of a mobility scheme and internship likely it will require two years. The same is for the credits, the decision will be up to the partnership.

If the university programmes get accreditation, the intention is to fund the masters within the IPA ADRION programme in the next programming period.

With the term Master it is intended a post-graduation course.

18: Are preparation costs envisaged?

Preparation costs shall be up to EUR 11.800,00; the amount includes EU and national contribution.

19: When will the advance payment be delivered by the MA to the project partners? Can a delay from the MA in payment be considered as a reason for postponing the project end date?

The advance payment is foreseen only for IPA partners, and it will be up to 30% of their IPA budget. The amount will be paid  as soon as the Subsidy Contract and Partnership Agreement are signed.

In general, no project extensions will be possible.

 

20: The programme manual suggests devoting some funds for the attendance of events organised by programme. How many programme events are planned?

It is planned or organize one dedicated event/meeting.