This study contains results from an European wide survey done within the period 2010–2011 based upon more than 700 Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) and around 200 research and development and innovation support programmes or initiatives. The study’s aim is to investigate on the following topics: What research and development and innovation support programmes or initiatives for SMEs exist in EU 27 and Bosnia-Herzegowina and what are their performances in respect to e.g. the proposal evaluation time, time to funding period etc.? What are the research capacities of the analysed SMEs and what barriers exist for them in doing research and innovation activities in Europe? What are the benefits, needs and problems of the analysed SMEs when participating in research and development and innovation support programmes or initiatives? How can SMEs profit from research and development and innovation support programmes on regional, national and European level – what measures need to be implemented by the policy makers? The current study “Boosting research and innovation friendly support programmes for SMEs in Europe” will provide answers to all these questions and provide a valuable overview and insight into the world of SME support programmes and initiatives in Europe. Its results are especially useful as input for shaping the new Horizon 2020 programme of the EU as respect to a higher future involvement of SMEs.weiterlesen