|
APRE is a non-profit organisation based in Italy that provides information,
assistance and training in order to promote Italian participation in
European research, development and technological innovation.
APRE was created upon joint initiative of the Italian Ministry of Research
and the European Commission and is supported by over 70 member organisations,
which comprise public and private research centres, industries, industrial
associations, chambers of commerce, science parks and 32 Universities.
APRE has its head office in Rome and can count on a network of regional helpdesks
covering the whole of Italy. It is supported by over 60 private and public organisations
working in the field of research and technological innovation. Our free of
charge services include: a help line, organisation of info-days, partner
search, web-based information, publications and training sessions. APRE has
been active in this sector since 1990.
Activities
APRE's activities consist of providing information, assistance and training,
and in particular:
- information on EU research programmes - through various channels such as a
help line for information by telephone, an Internet site, a periodic
newsletter and a series of thematic dossiers, collaboration with numerous
national and regional magazines, etc.;
- individual assistance and consultation to potential participants on how
to present research proposals;
- organisation of workshops, info-days and seminars;
- training courses
We assist SMEs, large companies, universities and research centres in
partner search and proposal submission. Our information and assistance
services concern all areas and activities of the Framework Programme.
APRE has an ISO EN 9001:2000 certified quality system.
During its 12 years of experience, APRE has built up contacts with the most
prominent research actors in Italy, and has a good network of contacts with
enterprises. We can help proponents to identify suitable partners and
establish a first contact with research organisations in Italy, in order
to submit joint proposals to FP6.
Role versus the Commission
Under FP6, APRE is National Contact Point for the programmes INCO, IST,
Nanotech, Ecotech, and SMEs. APRE provides the same activities also
concerning all other programmes of the Framework Programme.
APRE is a long-time member of the network of Innovation Relay Centres
(previously Value Relay Centres), from the very start of this network.
The role of National Contact Point is not a new activity for APRE.
In the Third Framework Programme, APRE held the role of National Focal
Point for SMEs.
In the Fourth Framework Programme, APRE was identified as National Focal
Point for SMEs as well as Focal Point for a number of specific programmes.
In the Fifth Framework Programme, APRE was National Contact Point for the
programmes: International Cooperation, Quality of Life, Information Society,
Competitive and Sustainable Growth, Improving Human Potential and the
Socio-Economic Knowledge Base.
International experience
APRE has acquired over 8 years' of practical experience in support
activities to DG Research and DG INF-SO of the European Commission, as
partner in a successive series of international projects. These projects
were funded under Framework Programmes 4 and 5 under the "Innovation and
SMEs" programme (or the then equivalent).The large part of these projects
were aimed at increasing SME's participation in the Framework Programme,
in diverse sectors such as life sciences, ICT, industrial technologies,
etc. A different type of international projects concerned activities such
as studies, benchmarking, mutual training activities for National
Contact Points and other intermediary organisations.
Contact details:
APRE-Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea
P.le G.Marconi,25 - 00144 Roma - Italia
Tel.+39/06/5911817
Fax+39/06/5911908
e-mail: rossi@apre.it
http://www.apre.it
|
