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Dear all,</div>
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In the context of the <b>Amendment </b>we are currently preparing, VTT has requested the introduction of a set of changes to the common proposal concerning the Open Access approach, that affect both HE and DEP programs. From ICFO, we consider the proposed modifications
appropriate and we are supportive of their inclusion. However, we would like to gather the agreement of all partners before proceeding further.</div>
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Below, you will find the specific change and its justification provided by VTT. For ease of reference, we also attach the updated DoA with track changes enabled so that you can clearly identify the modifications.</div>
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Should you have any comments or concerns, please let us know by <b>Wednesday, 29 April</b>. If no feedback is received by this date, we will proceed on the understanding that there are no objections.</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b><u> </u></b></span></div>
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On section <i>1.3.5 Open Access Conditions</i>:</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);" role="presentation">Replace the following lines of text:</span></li></ul>
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<i>Partners will submit separate annual accounts for economic and non-economic activities, auditing up to 20% of capacity for economic activity. </i><br>
<b>REPLACE with</b>:<i> Partners separate their accounts for non-economic and economic activities and follow their national legislation and international accounting standards. </i></div>
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<b>Justification: </b>It should be enough to follow these thresholds on organization level as guided in state-aid rules for RDIF and GBER.</div>
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<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><i>Profits from economic (commercial) activities, like Pilot Line access fees, will be reinvested in R&D, with these investments detailed in reports. This is explained in the business model and sustainability plan of the Pilot
Line in Section 2.2. </i><br>
<b>REPLACE with</b>: </span><span style="color: black;"><i>Partners will make their best effort to reinvest profits in the primary activities of the research organizations.</i></span></div>
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<b>Justification</b>: The use of the profits by partners as separate legal entities, cannot be controlled by the project. For example, according to Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, the general meeting of the shareholders is the ultimate decision-making
authority which decides on the use of profits. In addition, VTT is established by the Act on VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, and it is governed in this Act that any profit generated by VTT shall be used in its entirety for VTT’s own research
activities, competence development, and the dissemination of research results. </div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Remove the following lines of text: </span></div>
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<i>Access to the Pilot Line will reflect EU contributions to cover the costs of the proposed project.</i></div>
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<b>Justification: </b>Sentence is unclear</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);" role="presentation">Remove the method:</span></li></ul>
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<i>Access will be provided on market terms, granting favourable access to start-ups and SMEs
<s>via vouchers and discounts.</s></i></div>
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<b>Justification: </b>This limits the means in which we can support/favour start-ups and SMEs<b> </b></div>
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Thank you in advance for your collaboration.</div>
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Best regards, </div>
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Ana</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b><u> </u></b></span></div>
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<b><img id="x_x_image_0" width="95" height="43" style="width: 95px; height: 43px; max-width: 693px; min-width: auto; min-height: auto; margin: 0px;" data-outlook-trace="F:2|T:2" src="cid:79b64319-3e24-4956-b949-e0760055e0c6"></b></div>
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<b><br>
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<b>Ana Aguarod Franco (she / her)</b></div>
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<b>Pilot Line Project Officer </b></div>
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ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences </div>
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Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss, 3 </div>
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08860 Castelldefels </div>
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Barcelona - SPAIN</div>
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