ELN Network Services Management Project Info  · 

Information about Project 1: NMC

Created by: NMC , generated 2006/02/14, last changed: 2006/04/13

Objectives

The NMC as the administrative center of the European Leukemia Network located in Mannheim/Heidelberg (Germany) plays a pivotal role in integrating all WPs, participating study groups and institutions, enterprises and scientists to shape an interwoven networking structure. Chief tasks include the entire spectrum of activities concerning spread of information, communication and knowledge among partners in- and outside of the network by creating a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. The NMC ensures quality of ongoing research, oversees the integration process with particular emphasis on sustainability of the network, fosters spread of excellence and enhances public visibility of the network by a variety of different PR activities.

Past accomplishments of the NMC staff are the set up and management of the German leukemia network, thereby integrating 29 subnetworks, and 370 participating centers comprising more than 1300 network members.

Description of work

Network Coordinator is the representative of the NOE and he also serves as the chairman of the Steering Committee. The Network Coordinator assumes the overall responsibility for the smooth and timely development of the network.

Steering Committee consists of representatives from the chief partners of the network. The Steering Committee is in charge of affairs concerning the whole network and carries the overall responsibility by overseeing and controlling the European Leukemia Network on a broad scale. The Steering Committee determines the research objectives of the entire network and ascertains the progress, sets priorities, approves changes of work plans, and seeks to find solutions to problems, and lastly calls for new partners or sub-contracts.

Scientific Network Manager ensures that the network is carried out as per network plan (time, cost, scope and quality). Responsibilities include planning, steering and controlling activities, problem solving and corresponding administrative work. The Scientific Manager is the contact point of communication. On behalf of the entire network the NMC also communicates with the European Commission. Hereby, the Scientific Network Manager plays a key role. Progress reports and interim deliverables reflect the overall achievements of the network and will be delivered in an accurate and punctual manner.

Evaluation The network will be evaluated by periodic audits held by the EU Commission. The Network Controlling provides an external, independent review of network risks related to the achievement of the objectives (i.e. time, scope, cost and quality) and introduces professional network management know-how into the network and support.

The Network Management Center supports the Scientific Network Manager in carrying out the overall network management on the administrative level. The overall organization of the Annual Network Symposium, the outstanding event of the network, falls into direct responsibility of the NMC. Network management organization is broken down into the following five core elements:

• Finances: taking accountability for the financial affairs of the entire network.
• Legal Affairs and Contract: preparation, updating and managing of the Consortium Agreement (CA) between the partners, technology transfer, preparation and announcement of patents, regulation and controlling of intellectual property rights (IPR), integration of SMEs, launching of competitive calls for new partners and an overall contractual monitoring.
• Dissemination of achievements and knowledge: training and education activities, organization of symposia, workshops and conferences, participation in exhibitions, scientific publications, public relations (PR).
• Quality criteria and risk management: continuous measurement of the network's achievements, identifying, analyzing, tracking and controlling involved risks.
• New opportunities: emergence of additional benefits, tackling changes of the network's environment.