EU - ICT Policy Support Programme

Overview

The Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme (CIP) runs for the years 2007-2013 and is organised around three multi-annual specific programmes:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP)
• Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP)
• Intelligent Energy Europe Programme(IEE)

The ICT Policy Support Programme (ICT PSP) has an overall budget of €730 million. In 2012 the annual budget amounts to more than €139 million. It will go to beyond €150 million in 2013.

The uptake of ICT and exploitation of digital content in areas of public interest like health, inclusion, cultural heritage, public sector information, learning, public administrations, or energy efficiency requires more proactive policies. The major hurdles for the wider and better use of ICT in these areas include the unavailability of ICT-based services, the lack of interoperability of solutions across the Member States as well as the market fragmentation of the information space and of ICT-based solutions.

The ICT PSP helps overcome the hurdles hindering the development of an information society for all in support of the i2010 goals (which are - the completion of a single european information space and the strengthening of innovation and invesment in ICT research among others.)

The ICT PSP builds on and strengthens the activities aiming at the best use and wider uptake of ICT at national and regional level and in particular those supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

It helps overcome hurdles that hinder the advancement of an information society for all. ICT PSP aims to
develop pan-European, ICT-based solutions and services, most notably in areas of public interest. Greater uptake of such ICT services will open a wide range of new business opportunities, in particular for innovative SMEs.

Who can apply?

Participation in the programme is open to organisations from all EU member states and other countries having a specific agreement to participate in ICT PSP1. Any proposal needs to be submitted by a
consortium which should comprise the necessary stakeholders to address one of the objectives of the annual Work Programme. It has also to include a minimum number of organisations from different member or associated states.

ICT PSP supports pilot actions and networking activities in areas such as:

• ICT for health, ageing and inclusion
• ICT for a low carbon economy and smart mobility
• Digital Content
• ICT for improved public services
• Open innovation in smart cities…

Projects funded by ICT PSP are selected following open calls for proposals launched each year. The themes and objectives addressed for a call are detailed in the ICT PSP annual Work Programme.

The themes will be supported by a limited number of high impact pilot or best practices projects, as well as thematic networks addressing specific objectives. The projects will be selected through a call for proposals.

The ICT PSP WP2012 focuses on the following five themes

• ICT for "smart cities" €24 million
• Digital Content - €41 million
• ICT for health, ageing well and inclusion €27 million
• ICT for innovative government and public services €20 million
• Trusted eServices and other actions €15 million

Each of these objectives will therefore be achieved through the implementation of one of the following types of instruments:

• Pilot (Type A) - building on initiatives in Member States or associated countries;
• Pilot (Type B) - stimulating the uptake of innovative ICT based services and products and exploitation of digital content;
• Thematic Networks (TN) - providing a forum for stakeholders for experience exchange and consensus building.
• Best Practice Network (BPN) - exclusively for the theme on "digital libraries" to support sharing of best practices in this field.

Pilot A:
The consortia must be comprised by a minimum of SIX relevant national administrations

Pilot B:
The consortia must be comprised by a minimum of four independent, legal entities from four different EU Member States or associated countries.

How to apply

Calls for application will be ongoing throughout the year and will be advertised on the website.