AEROPORTAL · Support for European Aeronautical SMEs

The AeroPortal project is created by the merger of the two support actions AeroSME and SCRATCH. It is the prime objective of AeroPortal to support aeronautical SMEs in advancing their technology base and their competitiveness through participation in European RTD projects. This is done by creating a single point of reference for information and project opportunities and by providing a wide ranging direct support encompassing: - The support to help SMEs integrate both Level 1 and 2 proposals put forward by large companies; - The support to SMEs to set up their own project proposals. AeroPortal will set up, and maintain, an internet portal, which will be an exchange place where project ideas, offers and requests of technical capabilities, partner searches, etc. can be posted and supported by an interactive database containing profiles of European SMEs and offering effective search features. In addition to the “virtual” networking provided by the internet portal, AeroPortal will establish a permanent cooperation with all interested groups involved in support activities to aeronautical SMEs, such as SME clusters, National and Regional Associations, and also other funded Aeronautics Support Actions. These groups will be invited to become members of the AeroPortal Multiplier Group. AeroPortal will cover all 30+ countries associated to FP7. Particular effort will be paid in continuing to stimulate the participation of Member States with aeronautical R&D potential. The following measures will be implemented in AeroPortal: - Establishment of the Multiplier Group open to all Aeronautics SME associations and groups; - Set up and maintenance of an internet portal for SMEs including an interactive and dynamic SME database; - Organisation of and participation in 20 national/regional information days, of which 4 in Member States with aeronautical R&D potential; - 2 Technology Workshops to support the integration of SMEs in large industry-led Level 1 proposals; - Organisation of a Level 2 proposal matchmaking workshop prior the 3rd call; - Training of SMEs and Multipliers; - To audit and help SMEs to structure their corporate research (300 audits or re-audits are targeted); - To set up a list of product oriented expressed research needs from Aeronautical SMEs; - To service and submit in the 2nd and 3rd calls at least 40 collaborative RTD proposals initiated by SMEs. The duration of the project is 30 months, starting in December 2007.