What kind of research does BONUS fund?
BONUS funds basic and applied research which aims at the development and
implementation of ‘fit-for-purpose’ regulations, policies and management
practices, to respond effectively to the major environmental and key
societal challenges which the Baltic Sea region faces and will face in
the coming years. The scientific content of the research to be funded is
described in detail in BONUS Strategic Research Agenda. Projects
selected for funding must demonstrate a high quality in the context of
the topics and criteria set out in the calls for proposals.
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Who are eligible participants in project consortia?
Eligible participants are independent legal entities from different EU
Member States or associated countries. At least two project participants
have to be from participating states (Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden). BONUS projects can
include participants from third countries, but these project
participants have to cover all of their project costs from their own
sources. The project participants form a consortium.
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Which countries participate in BONUS?
The EU Member States that participate in the BONUS programme (=
participating states) are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland and Sweden. It means that these countries provide
funding for the BONUS programme. However, projects may include research
organisations from other countries as well, although they have to cover
their project costs partly or fully by themselves.
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How many participants have to be in projects?
The minimum number of participants is three.
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Can a NGO participate a project?
In principle, BONUS is a research programme and therefore the key
participants are research organizations i.e. non-profit organisations
which carry out research or technological development as one of their
main objectives. A NGO may participate a project in a well justified
case, where it can be demonstrated that the specific task appointed to
such participant cannot be implemented otherwise.
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Can a company participate in a project?
BONUS is encouraging an adequate participation of enterprises in BONUS
projects. In case of enterprise participation, state aid rules have to
be taken into account.
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What are state aid rules?
The EU’s framework rules which aim at ensuring efficient use of state
aid subsidies in order to strengthen the competiveness of the member
states and regions. State aid rules have to be taken into account when a
consortium involves enterprises and a project may produce commercially
exploitable products. In practice, the rules define the level of BONUS
funding for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and large
enterprises (LEs).
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What percentage of the eligible projects costs does BONUS fund?
The percentage depends on the type of organisation. Research
organisation may receive 100 % financing from BONUS, whereas for
enterprises the percentage varies depending on the size of the
enterprise 50 - 70 % for industrial research and 25 - 45 % for
experimental development.
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Does BONUS fund costs for using infrastructure?
to be filled later
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What is the overhead percentage?
Overhead is a flat rate 20 % of direct project costs (excluding
subcontracts).
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Is socio-economic research included in BONUS?
The research to be supported by BONUS has a strong interdisciplinary
character. Socio-economic approaches are crucial develop
‘fit-for-purpose’ regulations, policies and management practices and
decision support tools in support of sustainable development of the
Baltic sea region.
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Is technological research included in BONUS?
Yes. Technological research can be funded in so called innovation
calls under themes derived from the SRA which include technological
development and have a commercialising potential (SRA themes 2.4, 3.5,
5.2 and 5.3).
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What kind of calls for proposal BONUS launches?
BONUS launches two types of calls. Calls addressing themes which do not
explicitly include commercialising potential, but are more focused on
fundamental research are named as ‘thematic calls’. BONUS aims also at
launching calls under themes derived from the SRA which include
technological development and have a commercialising potential (SRA
themes 2.4, 3.5, 5.2 and 5.3). These calls are termed ‘innovation calls’.
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When will BONUS calls be launched?
In general, thematic calls are launched in the end of the years 2011,
2012 and 2013, and innovation calls in late spring in 2012 and 2013.
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What are the themes of the calls?
The themes of the calls are described in a call fact sheet, which is
published in connection of opening individual calls. The complete set of
themes (19 in total) and timings of the calls is presented in BONUS
strategic research agenda.
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What is BONUS strategic research agenda?
The BONUS strategic research agenda (SRA) is a document defining the
scientific content of the BONUS programme 2010-2016, its strategic
objectives and themes. The SRA has been developed through a broad
consultation with key stakeholders such as policy-makers, the scientific
community and funders. The SRA is updated every second year in order to
take into account recent scientific development and emerging needs
arising from the policy development.
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How have the themes for calls been defined?
The themes of the BONUS calls for proposals are derived from the
strategic research agenda, which has been developed and agreed upon in
consultation among the participating states, a broad range of
stakeholders and the European Commission.
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How are BONUS projects funded?
BONUS projects are funded through two sources, by
1) national funding
institutions to the respective national project participants and
2) the
BONUS Secretariat (EEIG) to project coordinators, who distribute the EU
funding to the project participants.
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What is a call for proposals (or "call")?
An announcement inviting proposals for research activities within
certain themes presented in the BONUS strategic research agenda. The
full information on the calls can be found at...
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How can Russian participants be involved in BONUS projects?
This question will be answered later.
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What can I do?
If you have or are planning to orient to a scientific career you can
consider how BONUS strategic objectives could be approached from your
discipline’s point of view. You can approach other scientists and
present your ideas, and start establishing a consortium, which could
prepare and submit a project proposal to BONUS.
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Didn't find an answer that you were looking for?
Ask your own
question here, and we will answer it.
Interactive space coming soon, in the meantime, email your question to
the BONUS Secretariat at bonus(at)bonuseeig.fi.
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