The validation of research results in large-scale, real life experimental infrastructures is essential for the design and deployment of products, applications and services on the Future Internet. Europe needs a Federated Experimental Infrastructure for Future Internet Research & Experimentation (FIRE+) available to experiments of any size, complexity, or networking technology. Experimenters need to run experiments under controlled and replicable conditions, according to specific requirements by accessing real or virtual equipment, services, systems and tools on demand, seamlessly and regardless of their geographical location.
A dynamic and promising segment of experimenters, in particular small and medium-size developers and innovators cannot afford testbeds or even testing equipment of their own and need to be provided easy and affordable access to said capacities. Real-world prototyping and experimenting environments are needed in certain cases for innovation creation. In addition, Future Internet Research and Experimentation in Europe could benefit from similar initiatives around the world.
Scope:a. Research and Innovation Actions
Proposals should cover one of the following bullet points:
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of proposed actions must be between 3 (experimental proof of concept) and 7 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment). Actions should contribute to pre-standardisation and standardisation on their respective technologies in collaboration with bodies and fora, such as ETSI, W3C and IETF.
Actions will involve financial support to third parties in line with the conditions set out in Part K of the General Annexes. The consortium will define the selection process of third parties for which financial support will be granted (typically in the order of EUR 50 000 – 150 000[[In line with Article 23 (7) of the Rules for Participation the amounts referred to in Article 137 of the Financial Regulation may be exceeded, and if this is the case proposals should explain why this is necessary to achieve the objectives of the action.]] per party). At least 50% of the EU funding should be allocated to experimentation-related financial support to third parties, while an additional 20% could be allocated to the brokering between facilities and experimenters. Lower percentages can be accepted, if justified, especially in the case of creation of new experimental facilities.[[It is recommended to also use established networks reaching out to SMEs like the Enterprise Europe Network and the NCP network for calls publications and awareness raising towards SME's.]]
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 10 million for the first bullet point and up to EUR 5 million for the second bullet point would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
b. Coordination and Support Actions:
Proposals should cover one or both of the following bullet points:
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 1 million and covering the two bullet points would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
Expected Impact:Proposals should address the following and provide appropriate metrics for measuring success:
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