Open Calls FAQ

Vicinity Open Calls Frequently Asked Questions :

Do you have any requirement for the size of the test scenario?

The size of required test scenarios depends on the complexity of the integrated infrastructures and the nature of the application (e.g. specific non-functional requirements). Also, it is important - independent on the size - that integrated infrastructure elements in the end have impact on the VICINITY platforms such as enabling new services, but also by addressing a broader and larger public.

 

So is it possible to test in laboratory?

Yes, it is possible to perform tests in a laboratory.

 

Do we have to connect our test scenario to one of the existing use cases you already run? Can you introduce the existing use cases?

No, you do not have to connect the test scenario with an existing one. This is open. The existing uses cases are: Buildings and Smart Transport, Neighbourhood Smart Parking Assisted Living , Smart Energy and buildings, eHealth and Smart Building. However, possible connections might improve impact. For further information visit http://vicinity2020.eu/vicinity/content/pilot-use-cases

 

How are you going to select the cases? I assume you will finance a limited number of cases.

As maximum 4 proposals will receive funding. Proposals will be evaluated as submitted by reviewers and a panel according to the criteria mentioned in the call.

 

Regarding the smart-mobility, where it is required to have IoT Solutions for connected Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication, is there an existing use cases for that?

There is not YET a V2V use cases, but smart transport. Use cases proposed in the Open call are not constrained or limited to existing ones. This is open.

 

When you say "Infrastructure", do you mean devices already deployed/commercialized? How large do you expect an infrastructure to be?

There is no constraint on the size of the infrastructure. Devices does not need to be commercialized, however their potential for commercialization and their maturity might have impact for VICINITY and other evaluation criteria.

 

Can we create a new use case or shall we complement an existing one?

Both options are elegible, VICINITIY will evaluate the compliance with the evaluation criteria; one of them is the impact on the VICINITY platform.

 

Who will run and maintain the cloud after the project period ends?

We are allow several options after the project life to guarantee the sustainabilty (Open community, education platform, etc.). The proposal might explain how sustainable impact of the action is achieved.

 

what do you plan for your next open call? Which kind of appliances?

The next Open call will address value added services.

 

Is any communication technology accepted (BLE, ZigBee, etc.)?

All kind of communication channels are accepted as long as the project implements an adapter to VICINITY. We already have several adapters that cover such low-level protocols.

 

Are you somehow connected also with FIWARE, the EU open APIs that also provide services for IoT?

In VICINITY project we address interoperability via adapters. We have in the backlog to provide the example of a FIWARE adapter.

 

For the second call, the value added services will be based on the existing uses cases and the ones financed now, is that right?

The second call is to be described in summer. It addresses services on the VICINITY platform, taking profit of the platform and connected infrastructures.

 

Nodes have to be connected to platform permanently or they can be running on mobile devices with limited connectivity?

VICINITY Nodes like many IoT nodes does not need to have permanent connectivity to platform. When a VICINITY Node is not connected its services is not available in peer-to-peer network.

 

Should the proposal include the Indirect Costs in the budget?

Indirect costs should be included in the budget, you should take into account that the whole amount required should not exceed 60,000.00 Euros. To calculate indirect cost Horizon 2020’s rules apply “In all cases indirect costs will be covered by a flat rate of 25% of the direct costs”

 

What is expected to be explained in this point of section 2 "Describe your co-creation strategy or co-creation elements in your project activities"?

You should demonstrate that you are involving external stakeholders in your proposal. You should show in which activities these stakeholders will be involved. You should explain how these external stakeholder are reinforcing your proposal and how they are participating in it. Also, it is expected co-creation activities with VICINITY partners.

 

We wonder if in this call you only care about the data collected or if you also are interested in a complete service (to the citizens for example)?

It is not necessary to provide a value added service. We are interested in demonstrating  interoperability capacity of Vicinity and integrate various infrastructures. 

 

It's also expected one meeting with the consortium during the project, is it already decided in which city it will take place? It would be useful to know it just to adjust our costs.

The meeting will be held in an European City, the date and the place is not closed yet. Aarhus in Denmark has been proposed but it is not closed yet.

 

Since the data we are thinking on exporting to Vicinity as part of our OC proposal may be linked to or complementing several of the use cases identified in the project, we would like to know if the potential impact on enabling more services is going to be taken into account, or, on the contrary, you prefer that each proposal just focuses on one single use case.

You should demonstrate the impact of your proposal on VICINITY, note that you should demonstrate Long-term impact, then you explain what mechanisms are you using to obtain these impact. So, you should evaluate if you will obtain more impact with a single use case or with several use cases. Cross-domain use cases are interesting for demonstration purposes.  E.g. how it enables new value-added services, how it opens new communities for VICINITY.

 

Should the proposer own the IoT infrastructures?

In case your company is managing infrastructures or installs these infrastructures to third parties, but does not own them. A full consent and collaboration agreement with the third party should be provided.

 

F6 seems to be very much related to Startups. I am therefore not sure how to deal with the questions. Can you support please?

Organizations qualified and compliant with the rules of participation H2020 are encouraged to participate. We have used F6S as it has been used successfully for other IoT Epi Projects.

 

Also, third parties? What exactly do you mean with that and as a research institute how would that work?

Only one entity per proposal will be admitted, so activities in co-operation with other organizations will not be considered eligible. Third parties are external organizations involved in the IoT infrastructure, as you have to demonstrate the impact of your proposal, third parties will be the organizations impacted by your proposal.

 

Regarding to Section C: " Give an explanation of how your IoT Infrastructure will enable new or strengthened business models in VICINITY."

It should be explained how your proposal is going to facilitate new business models in VICINITY and how your proposal is going to expand VICINITY business capacity.

 

Should I submit Letters of interest?

This is way of showing that your IoT infrastructure awakes the interest of third parties.

 

Is there a limit on the budget for equipment?

The first VICINITY call focuses on infrastructures integration and does not cover costs related to infrastructures acquisition. We anticipate that infrastructure network of sensors and other types of equipment should be already installed or available. We recommend that the proposed budget for equipment should not exceed the 5% of the total budget for the project.

 

Can our solution be integrated in VICINITY without jeopardise the confidentiality of our data, algorithms, etc?

Yes, VICINITY architecture support this approach. Your algorithm, data which you would like not to share within peer-to-peer are hidden behind the VICINITY Adapter which should be provided by you.

 

Regarding the financial support, what type of costs are considered elligible?

Direct cost only, i.e. costs of an employee (salary) or traveling expenses. No 3rd party costs or subcontracting.

 

Regarding the extension reports, it is necessary to provide invoices from the reported costs?

Invoices are needed for e.g. traveling costs or proof of expenses for salaries, same as for all EC projects.