Funding: SCoRE Cymru

The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government stresses the importance of giving Wales the strongest possible presence on the World stage and commits to ‘closer economic and research ties with the EU’. Co-operation activity with other nations and regions adds value to economic development in Wales by enabling partners to scale up activity, achieve critical mass and increase profile. Joint working provides scope to exchange ideas and best practice, to extend innovation and competitiveness and to tackle key issues which transcend borders. We want “an Agile Cymru” that looks outward to existing and future UK, European and international partners, to maximise shared opportunities and address our shared challenges.

Participation in Horizon Europe provides a major opportunity for Wales to remain active and influential as an international partner, increasing our attractiveness to talent and the effectiveness of our research.

Wales’ Regional Investment Framework highlights how we should build on the activity and networks established through Wales’ participation in a range of European Territorial Co-operation (ETC) programmes.

The Welsh Government’s International Strategy and Action Plan for Priority Regional Relationships and Networks identify the need to target important sectors, regions and networks. 

This document encourages applications to the Welsh Government’s SCoRE Cymru grant scheme from Welsh-based organisations that have the potential to increase economic co-operation with the regions of Baden Württemberg, Brittany and Flanders, with a focus on expenditure by the end of March 2023.

A strong application will reflect the strategic context set out above and:

• Support and build strategic relations between Wales and the target region(s).
• Create a range of opportunities in a domain rich in innovation, with significance for the Welsh economy.  In Baden Württemberg, this might be in Batteries, Mobility, Semiconductors, Health, Solar, Creative Industries or the Bio-based Circular Economy. In Brittany, this might be in Marine Energy, Food, Cyber, Health or Culture & Media. In Flanders, this might be in Cyber, Health, Aerospace or the Circular Economy. This list is not exhaustive.
• Involve an important organisation or network in the target region(s).
• Transfer international knowledge to Wales for impact on Welsh policy priorities.
• Build on existing relationships developed through the Horizon programmes and/or the European Territorial Co-operation programmes.
• Demonstrate relevance to Welsh and EU/UK innovation agendas, including through the leverage of other funding.
• Have a clear pathway to bringing in competitive EU/UK funding, or another route to ongoing, sustainable economic activity.

All applications will need to demonstrate viability and value for money in line with the SCoRE Cymru guidance.

Applicants can submit projects that deliver economic co-operation and beneficial impact for Wales with one or more of the named regions; there is no need to submit multiple applications. Overall, the proposed activity must clearly target co-operation with the named region(s) but in recognition of the fact that the best consortia may not be from those regions alone, other regions will be considered where necessary to carry out the project. 

This initiative can support 100% of eligible costs. There is no maximum project cost, but applicants should bear in mind that less than £5,000 per application will be sufficient for many projects. However, larger strategic proposals are welcome.

The budget allocated for this initiative is up to £120,000 but we will take into account other commitments and underspends at the time of decision. There is no allocation per region. If demand exceeds available funds during 2022-23, a ‘reserve list’ will be used and applicants will be encouraged to indicate if their activity could take place after March 2023.

Unless explicitly stated in this call, SCoRE Cymru rules and procedures apply.

Activity may involve relevant partners from the relevant region(s), provided the costs claimed are incurred by the Welsh partner.

The grant for 2022-23 must be spent before 31 March 2023. Where later, annual or long-term activity is foreseen, the relevant activity may be placed on the ‘reserve list’ for future consideration.

In order to encourage innovation, we do not specify a closed list of eligible costs, but costs must be necessary for the promotion, implementation and dissemination of the projects agreed through the application process and written offer of grant. They must be reasonable, verifiable and spent by the applicant. Examples could include:

• Travel, accommodation and subsistence.
• Consultancy (contracted as per SCoRE Cymru guidance). This covers a range of potential services, such as bid development, match-making, coordination of a consortium, translation, webinar hosting and chairing, dissemination and communication materials.
• Fees or charges necessary for the implementation of the project, e.g. access to Intellectual Property, membership of interest groups.
• In-house staff costs. These could allow staff to dedicate time to starting joint research or pilot lines, to investigate opportunities for joint applications or negotiating a strategic relationship between organisations. A rationale will be needed as to why the activity would not be carried out without a grant. We will require apportionment calculations for the hourly rate. The claim must be backed by time sheets and verifiable in payment and payroll records. In cases not covered by current SCoRE Cymru guidance, we will seek to apply the structural fund rules in a proportionate manner.

Costs incurred before the date of approval are ineligible unless the Welsh Government confirms otherwise in writing. Incurred costs are commitments to pay, such as flight and room bookings which cannot be reclaimed in full upon cancellation.

Please note any identified risks that could have an adverse impact on the project’s delivery and include a “Plan B” where necessary. For example, COVID travel restrictions.

We are open to applications now from Tuesday 14 June, but applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with the Horizon Europe Team before submitting them (email: HorizonEurope@gov.wales). SCoRE Cymru funding may also be available for applications that do not fit the aims of this initiative.

Applications will be judged on their fit with the aims of this initiative and Welsh Government will make a funding decision in accordance with the SCoRE Cymru guidance. We may seek the advice of relevant policy colleagues. Eligible applications will be dealt with on a ‘first come, first served’ basis but there will be limited opportunity for further clarification and applications that are not considered strong as defined in this document may be placed on the ‘reserve list’ to allow opportunities for other applications. Welsh Government will also take a portfolio approach in order to manage the balance of risk and range of outcomes. This will include considering the spread of activities across domains, geography and sectors where it will strengthen the overall outcomes of this initiative.