LINK2US

This project seeks to enhance the awareness of and participation in, by European scientists and research organisations, U.S. national collaborative funding schemes in order to help strengthen cooperative research with American counterparts under bilateral science and technology agreements. Because the U.S. federal research funding structure is highly decentralised with many different U.S. government scientific entities involved depending on the fields of interest, accessing potential opportunities requires a clear understanding of the various funding schemes available.

This project proposes to map opportunities of collaborative funding schemes and rules for participation. Potential obstacles to participation will be analysed so that they may be avoided or that solutions may be found. Analysis of the bilateral S&T cooperation agreements with respect to reciprocity conditions and the monitoring of European researchers participating in the U.S. collaborative programmes will be conducted to improve the effectiveness with which the EC and EU national authorities ensure matching reciprocity from the United States.

The project will raise awareness and disseminate information of the Project s findings and analyses through a multi-faceted information network consisting of a website, electronic and physical communications including awareness-raising events, and a virtual help desk to provide assistance to European researchers on the intricacies of U.S. programmes and funding opportunities