The NanoNed Valorisation Voucher encourages entrepreneurship and utilisation of NanoNed research results. Research applications are sought in areas with a need for industrial knowledge. These valorisation activities can include different aspects such as, but not limited to, proof-of-concept studies, prototype development and preseed research towards commercialisation.

A maximum amount of €50.000 is available per voucher. With these funds an important step can be made to realise or extend upon the valorisation of NanoNed research results. A Valorisation Voucher is intended to be spent on valorisation activities that result from NanoNed research projects, which excludes the use of a voucher as a general extension. The duration of a valorisation project is at least 3 months which have to be completed before the end of the NanoNed programme  (31 December 2010).

Who
All NanoNed researchers can apply for a Valorisation Voucher. This includes project leaders and researchers. The budget will be allocated to one of the NanoNed consortium partners and applicants will have to be employed by the relevant NanoNed partner for the duration of the valorisation project. The voucher can only be used for the valorisation of research results originating from the NanoNed
programme.

Applications
The deadline for applications is 12:00 on 15 April 2010. Applications can only be sent in by email directly to the NanoNed office (Anouk de Graaf, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). All applications must conform to the application template to be eligible.

Requirements for applications:
1. All applications are considered confidential.
2. Applications must be a maximum total size of 6 A4 pages (Arial, point size 11 or equivalent) and be written in English. Applications must be written using the application template.
3. All collaborators in a proposed project accept the IP policy of NanoNed.
4. Recommendations from industrial parties may be added to an application but are not required.
5. Additional or co-financing from industrial parties is not required. If there are non-NanoNed commitments in a project, a legally binding proof of the commitment has to be added for it to be taken into account. This document must have a detailed specification of the contribution to the valorisation project.
6. A valorisation voucher is not granted as an extension for research if there is no valorisation goal.
7. Applicants will be expected to provide an end report to the NanoNed-office (at the latest one month after the end of a project). A template for the report will be provided by the NanoNed office.
8. Fifty per cent of the allocated funds will be released after a voucher is granted and the remaining fifty per cent after the end report and financial justification have been approved.

Selection procedure
The NanoNed office is responsible for the overall selection process. The procedure will follow the following guidelines.
1. All applications are judged on admissibility by the NanoNed office.
2. The applicant is informed of receipt of the application and of whether or not it is admissible with regard to the application requirements.
3. The applications will be judged (in competition) by a committee composed of members of the valorisation network/platform, the NanoNed board of governors and the industrial advisory board (IAR). The jury committee will comprise 6 persons.
4. A pre-selection of candidates will be made. During pre-selection the quality of the proposals will be assessed by the individual committee members. The individual members will grade each proposal based on its chances of success. An average mark will then be determined on the basis of the individual assessments and only the most promising applications will be invited for an interview. The committee will determine how many invitations will be sent. 5. The invited applicants will give a short presentation of their project and will be interviewed by the committee.
6. To ensure a fair assessment the jury is asked to sign a declaration of independence.
7. A Valorisation Voucher will not be granted as an extension for research if there is no valorisation goal.
8. The final decision to grant Valorisation Vouchers will be made by the NanoNed board based on the advice of the selection committee. Up to 5 vouchers are available (total budget of €250.000). If there are not enough applications of sufficient quality then no, or only some, vouchers will be granted.
9. NanoNed will strive to inform all applicants by 28 June 2010 of whether or not their applications were granted.
10. Reimbursement of project costs will be made conforming to BSIK rules. For a Valorisation Voucher there is no fund matching requirement. Fifty per cent of the funds are given at the beginning of a project and fifty per cent after the end report and financial justification have been approved.
11. The main applicant is responsible for the execution and financial justification of a project.

Selection criteria
The applications will be judged based on:
• Motivation and interview
• Commercial potential
• Technological and scientific challenge
• Project plan and team members

Timeline
15-04-2010 at 12:00 (mid-day) Deadline for applications
11-05-2010 (provisional date) Presentation and interview session
01-06-2010 to 31-12-2010 Perform proposed work
1 month after end of project Report to NanoNed office

Contact
For all questions relating to the Valorisation Vouchers please contact the NanoNed office.
Email: Jeroen van Houwelingen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Marjan Fretz, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: +31(0)30 600 1325