PF: Is it possible to not have all kind of impacts in the proposal part B, criterion 2.3?

Indeed, from 2023 the Application form, Part B has slightly been changed regarding criterion 2.3. Now it writes as follows: “The impacts of your project may be: scientific…, economic/ technological…, societal…”

Therefore, the correct approach lies in recognising the importance of scientific, economic, and societal impact while understanding that not all research projects will have equal relevance in all three areas (e.g. areas with fundamental research). 

All actions: How are evaluators going to evaluate the impact criterion? Do the applicants need to provide some kind of validation mechanism?

When talking about impact, this is prospective, it is in the future, assuming that the project is successful and that it achieves everything that it set up to achieve. The applicants could base themselves on some other studies to strengthen or build their case about the impact they could have, before the impact is actually achieved.

PF: Are impact expectations aligned with the Key Pathways to Impact from Horizon Europe?

The concept of Key Pathways to Impact is not so relevant for PF. From the PF point of view, being a mono-beneficiary action with only one host institution and some associated partners, it is more straightforward. The concept of Key Pathways to Impact could be discussed in very general terms in a proposal.

SE: Are there any examples of the types of impacts that could come from SE type of projects acknowledging the need to protect the bottom-up nature of MSCA projects?

There are three types of IMPACT in SE:

1.   Economic Impact: boosts global & inter-sectoral collaborations

Triggers global inter-sectoral networking & innovation in TC and mobility flows between TC and Europe/ AC 

Increases active involvement of industry partners 

Consists on fostering innovation 

Facilitates technological development  

Transfers knowledge and deploys solutions  

It may include the impact the project will generate on participating companies in terms of revenues and profits, employment creation, market share, etc.

2.   Social Impact: is a positive contributor to MSCA careers and employment for both male and female researchers

Concentrated on the generation of knowledge  

Involves R&I in developing, supporting and implementing Union policies 

Applies innovative solutions in industry (including SMEs), and addresses global challenges

3.   Scientific Impact: contributes to fertilize advances across disciplines

Consistent fair representation in all the main research disciplines (majority of RISE projects ≥2 fields of science) 

Includes in particular the promotion of scientific excellence  

Creates high-quality new knowledge, skills, training and mobility of researchers

These three impacts are tracked with Key Impact Pathways (KIPs) which are divided as:

·         Scientific impact:

o       Creating high-quality new knowledge

o       Strengthening human capital in R&I

o       Fostering diffusion of knowledge and Open Science

·         Societal Impact:

o       Addressing EU policy priorities & global challenges through R&I

o       Delivering benefits and impact via R&I missions

o       Strengthening the uptake of R&I in society

·         Economic/ Technological Impact:

o       Generating innovation-based growth

o       Creating more and better jobs 

o       Leveraging investments in R&I