The member states also aim to harmonise the criteria of expert evaluation of their programmes. The evaluation practice and criteria applied by the NRDI Office and the evaluation process of Polish research, development and innovation project proposals overlap in several regards.

In his presentation at the Brno conference József Pálinkás, President of the NRDI Office, called for a more intensive cooperation between the V4 countries, placing emphasis on the importance of utilising at regional level the available research and development infrastructure. He also pointed out that a joint platform represented by the V4 Member States was indispensable in the process of preparing the next EU framework programmes. He referred to the joint position taken in the question of the issue of the cost accounting rules of researchers’ wages in H2020 projects as a good example. As he put it, it is worth exploring shared strengths and development opportunities in the area of RDI. The V4 countries may, for example, rely on manufacturing industry, as a typically strong sector in the economies of the member states. József Pálinkás also presented the competitive call designed to promote startup companies, which aims the establishment of a network of incubators serving as a supportive tool to develop innovative startups.

Participants of the meeting placed considerable emphasis on the expert evaluation of project proposals submitted in response to competitive calls, the possibility to jointly exploit research and development infrastructure, as well as coordinating smart specialisation strategies.

Paulina Zadura-Lichota, Director for Analysis and Strategy of the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development, PARP, talking about the evaluation process, which has a lot in common with the criteria applied by the NRDI Office, underlined that they wished to shift emphasis from evaluation and decisions based solely on document review towards evaluation and decisions made by a panel, based on the presentation of the proposals by the applicants in person. In the first phase experts anonymously evaluate project proposals, then on the basis of the evaluations, expert panels take the decision. Before taking the decision the panel organises a hearing for the applicants having prepared the project proposals, furthermore, they also plan for the panel to carry out an on-site check of the availability of the preconditions for the implementation of a project, which according to Polish experience might be relevant in the case of companies participating in innovation-related competitive calls. The major evaluation criteria are essentially identical with the criteria applied by the NRDI Office, since excellence is of primary importance, moreover, the programme needs to have a clear research and development-related content, and contain a commitment which is sustainable in the long run, also in terms of financing. Prior to the hearings by the panel, expert evaluators rank proposals, referring them to five main categories (projects with no innovation content, projects with poor, medium, good and excellent innovation content). Based on the analysis of the evaluations, the staff of the Agency came to the conclusion that the proportion of project proposals ranked as “good” and eligible for funding is higher than the proportion of those ranked “excellent” and eligible for funding. The explanation for this lies in the fact that the presentation of the proposal by the applicants makes it possible for the panel to identify unrealistic commitments and exaggerated promises. The representative of the Polish organisation said: “Only realistic dreams should get financed”. PARP provides funding to approximately 10% of the proposals submitted.

“The cooperation of the V4 countries to enhance the more efficient exploitation of research infrastructure is aimed to ensure that resources are actually focused on research, development and innovation activities” underlined József Pálinkás, President of the NRDI Office in his speech. In agreement with this statement, leaders of funding agencies established the framework of the cooperation initiated to efficiently utilise research infrastructure of high value:

• They agreed that prior to a major infrastructure investment, above a certain threshold value, they launch a consultation on whether similar infrastructure is available in the region, and how the planned instrument could be shared and used efficiently.
  
• Negotiations will also be launched as regards the structured access of researchers from the V4 countries to the ELI laser research facility, which is a Hungarian-Czech-Romanian joint project.
  
• Funding agencies in the research, development and innovation calls for proposals will also prescribe conditions pertaining to infrastructure development and the utilisation of existing infrastructure which will promote the joint exploitation of these facilities.
  
• József Pálinkás on behalf of the NRDI Office offered to share the report on the findings on the Hungarian RDI infrastructure with the V4 countries, and the V4 agreed to conduct a survey on available research infrastructure and capacities, as well as make the data accessible for the research community across the V4.
  

The representatives of the four countries also agreed to keep seeking opportunities when the four countries together may offer a competitive partnership to the world’s leading innovative economies.

An article written by József Pálinkás on the opportunities of the V4 cooperation in the area of research, development and the promotion of innovation, published in Világgazdaság on 21 January 2016:
Falling behind individually or catching up together?

Further articles on the V4 cooperation:
think.BDPST: a promising innovation forum of the V4 countries
Joint efforts by Slovakia and Hungary to strengthen RDI partnership among the Visegrad countries
Actively for the amendment of cost accounting rules of researcher remuneration in H2020