Building on previous work in the e-Freight domain (including developments on rail TAF TSI, road ITS, inland waterways RIS, maritime SafeSeaNet, European GNNS programmes and aviation SESAR) and on the work of the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum, proposals should cover the development and integration of at least 2 of the 3 following issues:

A) Planning and data

―Develop electronic booking and planning systems for freight to find the best (combinations of) modes and optimal route (e.g. GNSS based route analysis or opportunities for “milk runs”), to progress towards a completely paperless environment and freight traceability information allowing better network exploitation and more efficient logistics operations.

―Identify opportunities for increased availability of freight data (such as shipments, volumes, statuses, destinations, etc.) taking into account security, privacy, data ownership and policies for data sharing.

―Develop algorithms to increase both load factors and optimise the planned delivery route, based on the specifications of Modular Load Units, the vehicle or container and all required destinations.

B) Dynamic routing and business models

―Develop event management systems that create visibility and transparency and allow real-time exception management for faster traffic reconfiguration and increased resilience.

―Develop business models for dynamic transport services (e.g. cargo was automatically switched between barge and train because a truck encountered traffic congestions and was late at the hub).

C) Interoperability and everything connected

―Develop simple connection tools that allow low-cost integration of SMEs in the supply chain, offering two-way communication and allowing both efficient planning of their part of the supply chain and giving feedback to other stakeholders.

―Integrate simple and cost effective sensors or smart devices (IoT, ITS) into supply chain data management tools.

―Harmonise interoperability between supply chain partners, allowing easy information sharing and creating trust in the complexity of multi-modal transport. Solutions should link all public and private stakeholders.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 3 to 5 million each would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected Impact:

To realise the full potential of horizontal collaboration, real time data and high interoperability, actions are expected to demonstrate how the following aspects will be achieved:

―Better, more flexible integration of ICT solutions and operational processes, linking the digital and physical flows.

―Seamless freight transport execution across Member States and modes of transport.

―Increased reliability and reduced transit times.

―10% higher load factors and 10% shorter delivery routes resulting in respective reductions in fuel consumption and in lower emissions.

―Viable business models for collaborative and dynamic transport services

Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application.

1. List of countries and applicable rules for funding: described in part A of the General Annexes of the General Work Programme.
   Note also that a number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon 2020 projects. See the information in the Online Manual.
    
2. Eligibility and admissibility conditions: described in part B and C of the General Annexes of the General Work Programme.
   
   Proposal page limits and layout: Please refer to Part B of the standard proposal template.
    
3. Evaluation
   
   3.1  Evaluation criteria and procedure, scoring and threshold: described in part H of the General Annexes of the General Work Programme .
   
   3.2 Submission and evaluation process: Guide to the submission and evaluation process
    
4. Indicative timetable for evaluation and grant agreement:
   
   Information on the outcome of two-stage evaluation:
   For stage 1: maximum 3 months from the deadline for submission.
   For stage 2: maximum 5 months from the deadline for submission.
   Signature of grant agreements: maximum 8 months from the deadline for submission.

5. Provisions, proposal templates and evaluation forms for the type(s) of action(s) under this topic:
   
   Research and Innovation Action:
   
   Specific provisions and funding rates
   Proposal templates are available after entering the submission tool below
   Standard evaluation form
   H2020 General MGA -Multi-Beneficiary
   Annotated Grant Agreement
    
6. Additional provisions:
   
   Horizon 2020 budget flexibility
   
   Classified information
   
   Technology readiness levels (TRL) – where a topic description refers to TRL, these definitions apply.
   
   Financial support to Third Parties – where a topic description foresees financial support to Third Parties, these provisions apply.
    
7. Open access must be granted to all scientific publications resulting from Horizon 2020 actions.

   Where relevant, proposals should also provide information on how the participants will manage the research data generated and/or collected during the project, such as details on what types of data the project will generate, whether and how this data will be exploited or made accessible for verification and re-use, and how it will be curated and preserved.

   Open access to research data
   The Open Research Data Pilot has been extended to cover all Horizon 2020 topics for which the submission is opened on 26 July 2016 or later. Projects funded under this topic will therefore by default provide open access to the research data they generate, except if they decide to opt-out under the conditions described in annex L of the Work Programme. Projects can opt-out at any stage, that is both before and after the grant signature.

   Note that the evaluation phase proposals will not be evaluated more favourably because they plan to open or share their data, and will not be penalised for opting out.

   Open research data sharing applies to the data needed to validate the results presented in scientific publications. Additionally, projects can choose to make other data available open access and need to describe their approach in a Data Management Plan.

   - Projects need to create a Data Management Plan (DMP), except if they opt-out of making their research data open access. A first version of the DMP must be provided as an early deliverable within six months of the project and should be updated during the project as appropriate. The Commission already provides guidance documents, including a template for DMPs.

   - Eligibility of costs: costs related to data management and data sharing are eligible for reimbursement during the project duration.

   The legal requirements for projects participating in this pilot are in the article 29.3 of the Model Grant Agreement.

8. Additional documents:

• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Introduction
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Smart, green and integrated transport
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: Dissemination, Exploitation and Evaluation
• H2020 Work Programme 2016-17: General Annexes
• Legal basis: Horizon 2020 - Regulation of Establishment
• Legal basis: Horizon 2020 Rules for Participation
• Legal basis: Horizon 2020 Specific Programme

Source: Participant Portal