Differences between ERA-NETs and CORNET

• Administration effort vs. lean management

ERA-NETs receive budget from the European Commission, which is associated with contractual obligations and a considerably high workload in administration.

CORNET is a self-sustained network, which concentrates on its core business: funding Collective Research projects. We are free from reporting and accounting duties or common pot discussions.

• European vs. international

The ERA-NET partners are usually funding organisations from Europe.

CORNET is open for all countries and regions worldwide.

Things in common between CORNET and ERA-NETs

• ERA-NET funding principle

Each participant in a CORNET project receives funding from his national or regional programme. We have maintained this funding principle from our history as ERA-NET.

Differences between Eurostars and CORNET

• The Nature of the Research Topic

Eurostars supports the development of rapidly marketable innovative products, processes and services.

CORNET finances Collective Research that solves common problems of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of a branch. The research deals with pre-competitive topics, which includes broad publication after a project is completed.

• The Target Group: high-tech SMEs vs. SMEs with limited own research capacities

Eurostar’s target group are high-tech SMEs, i.e. SMEs that are able to perform research and development (R&D) on their own, by dedicating e.g. at least 10% of their turnover to R&D activities.

CORNET’s target group are SMEs with no or limited own research capacities, that need to solve Collective Research problems.

• Individual SMEs vs. Groups of SMEs

Eurostars funds individual SMEs as project leader.

CORNET provides funding for consortia of SMEs of a branch (at least 5 per country/region) that have a problem in common with their competitors and therefore join forces with them for a Collective Research project. The research work is performed by a research organisation.

Things in common between Eurostars and CORNET                                                                              

• Bottom-up approach

Both initiatives organise calls for proposals that follow a bottom-up approach, e.g. research topics are not pre-defined and can be decided by applicants themselves.

• Mainly national / regional funding

Both Eurostars and CORNET are mainly based on national or regional funding sources (with EC top-up in Eurostars).

Differences between the SME instrument in Horizon 2020 and CORNET

• The nature of the research topic

The SME instrument in H2020 supports SMEs to develop ground-breaking innovative ideas for products, services or processes that are ready to face global market competition.

CORNET finances Collective Research that solves common problems of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of a branch. The research deals with pre-competitive topics, which includes broad publication after a project is completed.

• The target group: high-potential SMEs vs. SMEs with limited own research capacities

The target group of the SME instrument in H2020 are high-potential SMEs that follow a development strategy that pursues breakthrough innovation.

CORNET’s target group are SMEs with no or limited own research capacities, that need to solve Collective Research problems.

• Individual SMEs vs. Groups of SMEs

The SME instrument in H2020 funds individual SMEs that can apply as a single entity or as a consortium.

CORNET provides funding for consortia of SMEs of a branch (at least 5 per country/region) that have a problem in common with their competitors and therefore join forces with them for a Collective Research project. The research work is performed by a research organisation.

• European Commission funding vs. national / regional funding

The European Commission is responsible for providing funding in H2020.

In CORNET funding is provided country-by-country, combining resources into one project budget. National or regional funding rules apply and no money crosses borders.

Things in common between the SME instrument in Horizon 2020 and CORNET

• Bottom-up approach

Both initiatives allow submission of proposals that follow a bottom-up approach. However, in the SME instrument of H2020 within a given societal challenge or enabling technology of H2020. Whereas, in CORNET research topics are not pre-defined and can be decided by applicants themselves.

Differences between IraSME and CORNET

• The nature of the research topic

IraSME supports the development of rapidly marketable innovative products, processes and services.

CORNET finances Collective Research that solves common problems of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) of a branch. The research deals with pre-competitive topics, which includes broad publication after a project is completed.

• The target group: SMEs with products improvement needs vs. SMEs with Collective Research problems

In IraSME the SMEs need to solve either a research and development problem that has significant technical risks or improve existing products, processes or technical services. The clearly describable project outcome has to show real market opportunities.

CORNET’s target group are SMEs with no or limited own research capacities, that need to solve common Collective Research problems.

• Individual SMEs vs. Groups of SMEs

IraSME funds individual SMEs that can apply as a single entity or as a consortium.

CORNET provides funding for consortia of SMEs of a branch (at least 5 per country/region) that have a problem in common with their competitors and therefore join forces with them for a Collective Research project. The research work is performed by a research organisation.

Things in common between CORNET and IraSME

• ERA-NET funding principle

Both initiatives follow the ERA-NET principle that every participant receives funding from his national or regional programme.

• Bottom-up approach

Both initiatives allow submission of proposals that follow a bottom-up approach, e.g. research topics are not pre-defined and can be decided by applicants themselves.

• Partnering Events

Twice a year CORNET and IraSME organise joint Partnering Events in changing locations. For more information subscribe to the CORNET Newsletter or check our Event section.