Communicating on FCH JU projects
Communication or dissemination?
Acknowledging the EU Funding (rules and obligations under H2020 and FP7)
Work with FCH JU Communication team
Communicating on FCH JU projects
Promoting activities around projects is a fundamental aspect of our joint mission. Raising awareness on achievements and exchanging know-how on key results make a great contribution to the effective development of our program. In addition, it is our duty to allow citizens, decision-makers and many other key audiences to receive a clear insight on how European funds are leading to concrete achievements.
This is why all projects should start with the design of a comprehensive communication plan defining target audiences for the related area. The plan should outline the tools to reach and multiply these audiences and what would be the key milestones likely to be "news material".
Communication or Dissemination?
Communication and dissemination are two distinctive activity areas.
Communication activities: showing the leverage effects achieved by these results, the impact it has on our daily lives, our society and bringing the research to the attention of the society as whole.
Dissemination and exploitation activities: making EU-funded research results publicly available and fostering their uptake.
Acknowledging the EU Funding (rules and obligations under H2020 and FP7)
All communication and dissemination activities related to FCH JU projects needs to acknowledge the EU funding it has received according to the signed grant agreement. This acknowledgment is twofold: it covers a proper reference both to the FCH JU and the European Union (Specific research and innovation programme).
Communications material can take different aspects, going from a press release, a booklet to the branding on specific equipment. Rules on acknowledgement concerns all aspects.
In practice, mainly 2 elements MUST be added on every communication material:
1) The acknowledgement sentence
This project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No (number). This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe research.
2) The logos
Several versions of the FCH JU logo and the EU emblem can be found here.
Projects’ communication and dissemination activities are framed by specific rules and obligations mentioned in the grant agreement. The rules are outlined in the section below, depending whether the project is funded from the Commission’s FP7 or Horizon 2020 program.
Rules and obligations related to communication and dissemination
1. H2020 projects
1.1 Relating to communication:
- Article 38:
ARTICLE 38 — PROMOTING THE ACTION — VISIBILITY OF SUPPORT
38.1.2 Information on support from the EU and JU members — Obligation and right to use the JU logo and the EU emblem
Unless the JU requests or agrees otherwise or unless it is impossible, any communication activity related to the action (including in electronic form, via social media, etc.) and any infrastructure, equipment and major results funded by the grant must:
(a) display the JU logo;
(b) display the EU emblem, and
(c) include the following text:
-For communication activities: “This project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No [number]. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and [insert names of the JU members other than the EU].”
- For infrastructure, equipment and major results: “This [infrastructure][equipment][insert type of result] is part of a project that has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No [number]. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and [insert names of the JU members other than the EU].”
1.2 Relating to dissemination
- Article 29.4:
29.4 Information on support from the EU and JU members — Obligation and right to use the JU logo and the EU emblem
Unless the JU requests or agrees otherwise or unless it is impossible, any dissemination of results (in any form, including electronic) must:
- display the JU logo;
- display the EU emblem, and
- include the following text:
“This project has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No [Number]. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and [insert names of the JU members other than the EU].”
2. FP7 Projects:
2.1 Relating to communication:
- Article II.12:
II.12. Information and communication:
The beneficiaries shall, throughout the duration of the project, take appropriate measures to engage with the public and the media about the project and to highlight the FCH JU financial support. Unless the FCH JU requests otherwise, any publicity, including at a conference or seminar or any type of information or promotional material (brochure, leaflet, poster, presentation etc), must specify that the project has received FCH JU research funding emanating from the Union and display the FCH JU logo and the European emblem.
2.2 Relating to dissemination:
- Article II.30:
II.30. Dissemination:
(…) 4. All publications or any other dissemination relating to foreground shall include the following statement to indicate that said foreground was generated with the assistance of financial support from the FCH JU.
“The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) for the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative under grant agreement n° [xxxxxx]. “
- article 27.3 - Information on support
- For protection of results: “ Applications for protection of results (including patent applications) filed by or on behalf of a beneficiary must — unless the JU requests or agrees otherwise or unless it is impossible — include the following:
“The project leading to this application has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No [number]. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and [insert names of the JU members other than the EU].
Branding guidelines
For more details about branding the infrastructure, equipment and other material, please donwload the FCH JU Branding guide here
Work with FCH JU Communication team
Keeping the FCH JU in the loop about project communication activities, whether they are already under way or in the planning stages, will allow alignment, better coordination and increased impact of communication results.
Whenever there is an important highlight around a project coming-up, such as a press announcement or a demonstration activity, an award handover or any other good opportunity to promote the project, involving FCH JU communications' team early in the process will allow for possible contribution and relay of information.
Contact the communication team here: communicationsfch [dot] europa [dot] eu (communications[at]fch[dot]europa[dot]eu)