DiSSCo Prepare Deliverable D4.3 - Report on recommendations for the most suitable model

Abstract

Deliverable 4.3, a report on recommendations for the most suitable contribution model, aims to identify the main public sources of income for the DiSSCo RI: public funding being the bedrock of the ERIC structure. This report first explains the ERIC funding framework and its legal constraints. On that basis, it proposes rules and a mathematical formula to define the DiSSCo annual membership fees. The formula suggested is flexible and deliverable 4.3 provides a modelling of the results according to the different options available with the formula. In addition, it presents an analysis of the way funding could be distributed among its members in order to implement decentralized services. To fund a broader service offer, DiSSCo may need funding from other sources such as European and national funds. Eventually, ERICs like DiSSCo can apply for other funding, such as international organisation funding and sponsorship and foundations. This report delivers information on that additional funding. The DiSSCo ERIC annual membership fee calculation is based on three main indicators: economic power (GDP), annual spending in research and development, and population size. In the context of DiSSCo, these indicators are connected to a fixed baseline fee: 50,000 € in order to guarantee a minimum significant annual contribution from each participating country and avoid contributions that will be more expensive to manage than to benefit from. This baseline is multiplied by contribution factors which propose different ways to weight the different indicators. For instance, GDP could have a greater or lesser impact on the contribution calculation than R&D spending or population size, and so on. If, in the end, all 27 EU members plus United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland sign DiSSCo ERIC statutes then, based on this calculation, the annual budget would be 4.5 million euros – regardless of the weight allocated to the different factors. It is understood that probably not all the thirty-one countries listed will fund DiSSCo ERIC. The total amount may not be achieved initially. The first annual contributions will allow the Central Hub to begin its operation and implement its business strategy. Research Infrastructures like DiSSCo rely on diverse sources of funding, like EU funding, and can decide to charge services. In the long run, the Central Hub will also work to engage new members. DiSSCo research infrastructure (RI) impact and actions will evolve proportionally to the funding available.