Information society technologies

B.6 Quality of the integration

The joint programme of activities, described above in B.4 and to be carried out within the DiNAMITe NoE assisted by the five work packages, is designed to create a deep and durable integration of the research capacities of the network partners, at the same time, advancing knowledge on the topic of novel dilute nitrides and highly mismatched semiconductors. The team consists of some of the strongest research groups and partners from leading industries in the field. All the partners have all provided a Letter of Intent signed by their administrative authorities stating that they “recognize that the development of this Network of Excellence “DINAMITE” is a long-term commitment and that it may lead to the sharing of human resources, infrastructures, and activities with other network members”. Therefore, DiNAMITe has the insurance from all the participating organizations to exist as a durable network in relevant innovative technologies in European Research.

The nerve centers of the network’s activities will be the HUBs where the coordination, management, integration, training, spreading of excellence activities will be concentrated. Core partners (CP) are those which have made key contributions to the field in the areas of research listed in WPs 1-4. These groups are already collaborating with each other in small clusters, and have recently attracted substantial research funding as discussed in section B5. The activities of the core groups who brought forth these results will serve as an initial backbone to the NoE, and by sharing sample material, sample devices and know-how they will guarantee an internationally competitive level of high quality science from the very beginning. The peripheral partners (PP) will work under the technical management of the core partners and contribute to the technical programme, integration and spreading of excellence activities. Industrial partners (IP), who will contribute to the industrial advisory board, provide access to facilities, supply of demonstrator devices, provide secondment opportunities and participate in commercialisation activities to ensure the work continues to be focused on actions that are relevant to the needs of European Industry. We also envisage the emergence of additional skills requirements during the course of the project and make necessary provisions for these in the budget in section B7. Through this approach DiNAMITe programme ensures spreading excellence efficiently through the European Research Zone.
DiNAMITe has a solid organization and management structure to secure the achievement of the following main objectives of the NoE

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  Establishing critical mass of researchers in four main disciplines that constitute to the technical work packages
  
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  Integrating of knowledge, equipment, man power and technical resources
  
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  Structuring European research activities for enhanced efficiency and more economical use of resources.
  
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  Defining key research challenges and initiating joint research projects
  
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  Establishing strong links with industry to achieve world leadership in the innovative technologies based on dilute nitride research.
  
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  Initiate, develop, coordinate and promote activities of spreading of excellence
  
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  Develop and offer services to support SMEs in implementing the research output based on the network activities.
  

Figure 6.1 DiNAMITe Core, Peripheral, Industrial Partner and Hub Structure and their

integration
The degree and success of integration will be best assessed by a number of quantitative and qualitative performance indicators listed below. The list is not exhaustive and will be extended when available reliable indicators are identified.
Quantitative performance indicators:
- Number of coordinated research task forces or jointly executed research projects that are initiated to tackle important and timely scientific issues;

- Number of joint scientific publications and conference presentations involving two or more partners within a thematic work package;

- Number of joint scientific publications and conference presentations linking two or more partners across work packages;

- Total number of visiting days at other sites made by members of the Network;

- Number of PhD students co-supervised between sites;

- Number of “twinned” Ph.D. theses;

- Number of conferences, symposia or special sessions organized by DiNAMITe;

- Number of short courses and tutorial workshops organized by DiNAMITe;

- Number of summer and winter schools organized by DiNAMITe;

- Number of seminars and meetings attended by DiNAMITe partners;

- Number of joint intersite proposals (IPs, STREPs, etc.) submitted for EU funding under FP6, and number receiving funding;

- Number of joint intersite proposals to other funding agencies;

- Number of joint intersite proposals applying for industrial support;

- Number of industrial associated partners;

- Number of spin-offs created or assisted by DiNAMITe;

- Number of patents proposed by the members of DiNAMITe;

- Number of external bodies seeking professional consultancy.
Qualitative performance indicators:
- Establishment of an interactive DiNAMITe website;

- Establishment of a common database of research expertise, resources, and scientific specimens available at partners’ sites;

- Establishment of a virtual Europe-wide DINAMITE graduate school;

- Establishment of a “travelling theses library”;

- Establishment of a “European Centre for Optoelectronic Materials, Devices and Systems Research” that will ensure the continued existence of the Network structure and activities beyond the funding period.
The assessment of the performance of Integration will be the task of the Management Board and Project Coordinator. The Management board of DiNAMITe will periodically review the JPA of the Network and will closely evaluate the degree of integration according to the performance indicators listed above. A detailed plan of performance steps to be achieved each year will be set up by the Management Board in close cooperation with the IAB, the EC project officer, and the reviewers for 12-month intervals An annual report will be distributed to all partners of the Network, which should identify areas where the degree of integration is inadequate and should also provide recommendations for improvements.