2-Country Eligibility | National Contact Point

6. Concerning the participating institutions, can there be more than one (low performing) partner from a Widening Country? If yes, should the ratio of partners from Widening Countries versus non-Widening Countries be of around 50%?

Yes. As long as the minimum eligibility requirements are respected (i.e. the one coordinator from a Widening country and two advanced institutions from two different MS or AC), then additional partners are allowed according to the needs and objectives of each proposal. However, applicants need to bear in mind that as described in the Work [...]

6a. Is there a maximum or preferred number of partners in a Twinning proposal?

There is no maximum number of partners as long as the minimum eligibility requirements are respected. The Commission however considers that the number of partners in a Twinning project has to be kept to the minimum possible, in order to have the optimal effect on the low performing partner institution in the Widening Country. The [...]

7. Where should the internationally-leading (advanced) institutions be established? Can the internationally leading institutions be established in the same country as the coordinator from the Widening country?

The internationally-leading (advanced) institutions can be established in any EU Member State or Associated Country to Horizon 2020. As long as the minimum eligibility requirements are respected (i.e. there are at least two internationally-leading (advanced) institutions from two different countries other than that of the coordinator) then additional partners established in the same country as [...]

9. Is there any requirement to “twin” with partners from stronger (or weaker) regions in terms of innovation performance in Widening Countries?

There is no such requirement foreseen in the Work Programme (WP). The WP text clearly states that the only eligibility criterion is that the coordinating partner is established in one of the Widening Countries.

10. Is there any limitation on the number of Twinning proposals submitted by each Widening country?

There are no restrictions on the number of Twinning proposals submitted by each Widening country.

11. Can an institution in a Widening country participate in two (or more) different Twinning proposals, in the one as a coordinator in order to strengthen their research potential and in the other proposal as an internationally-leading (advanced) institution?

Yes this is possible, however it may compromise the credibility of an organisation if it is acting both as a leading institution as well as a coordinator (unless of course the two proposals address different fields of science).

17. Can an internationally leading (advanced) institution from a third country (e.g. USA) participate as an additional partner?

An internationally leading (advanced) institution from a third country (e.g. USA) can participate as an additional partner (as long as the minimum requirement of two partners from two MS or AC is respected) under the rules governing the participation of third countries in H2020 (i.e. for the case of an institution from the USA which [...]