Research networking and technology fusion through EU-funded collaborative projects

Who gets Horizon 2020 research grants? Propensity to apply and probability to succeed in a two-step analysis

“…In general, the scientific system tends to produce large differences between research organizations over time, awarding those well placed with more research funding, peer recognition and collaborative partners. Similar differences are observed in EU FPs, where large and endowed research organizations represent the most successful participants , and where these organizations remain at the centre of successful collaborative networks, continually influencing power and attaining prominence in terms of network activities and composition Protogerou et al, 2013).…”

“…Many of the studies of participation in EU FPs have been concerned with the networks and the collaborative structures underlying EU FP projects Must, 2010;Ortega & Aguillo, 2010a, 2010bPandza et al, 2011;Protogerou et al, , 2013. The main message from these studies is the observation of stable scientific networks held by a small number of organizations over time resembling a oligarchic core, which has led others to suggest cumulative advantages or a 'Matthew effect' for those located at the centre Protogerou et al, 2013).…”

“…Results from two different strands on collaborative networks (e.g. Protogerou et al, 2013; and on organizational characteristics (e.g. , suggest that an underlying mechanism behind EU FP participation could be accumulative advantage (see Merton, 1988).…”

“…The second paper is motivated by the observation of oligarchic networks in EU FPs, where closely connected organizations participate together over time (e.g. Protogerou et al, 2013;, and where the top performing institutions hold considerable repute, size, and resources (e.g. .…”

“…Another part addresses the added value of EU FPs or how EU FP funding shapes organizational structure and policies (Edler et al, 2014). The majority of studies, however, are interested in the collaborative nature of EU FP projects (see Protogerou et al, 2013), because most of the resources available have been devoted to collaborative research and innovation projects. The main observation from these studies is that participation is concentrated among only a few entities over time, entities that have formed closely interlinked networks.…”