Evaluation and award of innovation support vouchers

Evaluation and award of innovation support vouchers An innovation support voucher scheme will be made available to assist specific organisational activities not covered under the project grants described above. Eligible activities for funding will include IP and innovation management support, consultancy and technical assistance provided by innovation experts in advanced manufacturing, ICT, eco-innovation, new business models and emerging technology applications, among others. The application process will be activated through CLOU5 (Task 2.1). Applicants will identify their preferred supplier and justify their selection in the application form. All applications will be assessed as a group by 3 members of the project team. The reputation of the supplier will also be reviewed. Once the funding has been issued and support provided, successful applicants will write a short report detailing the support they received and the impact it has had on their business. Claims submitted under this scheme will be verified by the Task leader to ensure the innovation voucher has been utilised for an appropriate purpose, and suppliers have adequately undertaken the work specified. All recipients of this voucher scheme will be required to submit an expenses claim form containing all relevant details. The launch of these vouchers will be timed to coincide with the matchmaking events (Task 3.2) given the significant benefit to recipients that have been demonstrated when voucher schemes are twinned with brokerage and matchmaking activities. Approximately 25 innovation support vouchers are expected to be distributed under this scheme, with a total reserved budget of €125,000 (average grant value €5,000). The task leader (CEW) will be responsible for implementing the evaluation process determined in Task 2.3, notifying applicants of the decision and supporting the disbursing the funds (held by CEW as they have the necessary administrative structures). Unsuccessful applicants will receive signposting support in Task 4.5. Project evaluation is conducted in Task 5.1. Exploitation support is provided in Task 6.3. A final report at the end time of the open call (M24) will be published, which contain publishable information of the awarded Innovation Support Vouchers and the used budget.