2.16. Publications, communication of project results during and after the implementation of the project
- Varmo Pilt
It is important to disseminate information on the activities carried out and the outcome of the project within the organisation and to the general public. In some funding schemes, special conditions are laid down for dissemination of information, which must be taken into account and resources must be planned already when preparing a project proposal. The Head of Science Communication Kaire Uusen (e-mail: kaire.uusen@taltech.ee) at the Marketing and Communications Office provides assistance with science communication and messages to the public.
The final results of your H2020 project, on which you have already submitted reports, are important to advocate the value of European science, its impact on society and to support further progress of the European Research Area. As project results often evolve even after the project ends, it is essential to ensure further monitoring of the results. According to articles 28 and 29 of the Model Grant Agreement, H2020 beneficiaries must comply with the obligation to exploit and disseminate the results of the project for up to four years after the project ends.
The Funding and Tenders Portal (Participant Portal) provides project managers with access to the reporting module also after the end of the project.
The European Commission strongly recommends adding further information on the beneficiaries and the results of the projects to the portal. The information may include scientific publications, patents, but also, for example, products, services or inputs into policy frameworks, and so on.
The European Commission recommends that the same results be published on the Horizon Results Platform (europa.eu). The publication of your results on this platform provides an opportunity to present the results of your projects to different target groups free of charge.
All publications must be supplied by a correct reference to the project and fund. At other information events visibility shall be given to the project and funder, either by referring to it in the oral text or, for example, by placing a poster on the wall at the location of the event.
In the case of research grants funded by the Estonian Research Council, communicating research to a (lay) audience is a very important part of a researcher’s work, because it:
- helps people understand the importance and value of science;
- supports the development of a knowledge-based society;
- makes it possible to increase the societal and economic impact of science;
- broadens the opportunities for connecting science and business;
- helps justify the importance of research funding.
Communication to a wider public can involve a written text, an organisation of an event or a substantial presentation.
A distinction must be made between activities that promote science in general and activities that promote a specific research project. Only the information and promotion activities related to the particular project are taken into account in the research grant (e.g. a personal research grant PUT) report. Presentations at professional conferences and other professional events are not considered to be activities that introduce science to the public.
An acknowledgement of the research grant in a publication is mandatory, unless limited due to reasons beyond the control of the applicant (e.g. publishing restrictions). In the interim and final reports, only publications that include acknowledgement of the personal research grant will be taken into account in the evaluation.
Correct form of acknowledgment of the research grant in English: This work was supported by the Estonian Research Council grant (PXX number).
Correct form of acknowledgment of the research grant in Estonian: Uurimistööd on finantseerinud Eesti Teadusagentuur (PXX number).
For information on the notification requirements regarding structural assistance, see chapter “Marking and notification of objects that have been granted funding”