ABSTRACT
The Twinning and ERA Chairs programmes were created under Horizon 2020 and FP7 to strengthen and develop research excellence in low-performing Member States. The ERA Chairs programme focuses on the appointment of excellent international researchers to institutions in low-performing Member State. The Twinning programme facilitates the establishment of collaboration between the coordinating institution and two or more high-profile international institutions. The objectives of both programmes are to enhance the coordinating institutions' research excellence, their networking capabilities and their ability to compete for international funding. Furthermore, the ERA Chairs programme focuses on implementing the European Research Area priorities at the hosting institutions.
This interim evaluation of the ERA Chairs and Twinning programmes, carried out by COWI, presents the findings of the evaluation covering the programmes' achievements, relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, EU added value, and lessons learnt.
The interim evaluation concludes that both the Twinning and the ERA Chairs programmes have been, to date, a success. The projects have been achieving results according to the programmes' objectives and are proceeding according to plan. Both programmes are, albeit with a separate focus, addressing previously unmet needs of the institutions enabling the institutions to enhance their networking, scientific and institutional capabilities.