It is recommended to allow any type of legal entity that is interested and is able to commercialise R&D results (in particular IPRs) to tender for the PCP either alone or in consortium with others, including SMEs (also start-ups), universities[1], associations, foundations.
To be eligible, all tenderers[2] should show a clear route to the market. Since PCP phase 3 on-site testing work consumes typically the majority of the PCP budget, it is recommended to request interested bidders to perform the majority of the R&D and operational activities covered by the PCP contract in the European Economic Area or in a country having concluded a Stabilisation and Association Agreement under the EU Neighbourhood policy. For Horizon 2020 funded PCP projects this extends to all countries associated to Horizon 2020.
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[1] Universities on their own should also be able to apply if they are able to commercialise IPRs.
[2] In case of offers submitted by a consortium, please note that not every legal entity separately in the consortium needs to show this, but the consortium as a whole.