Assistant contractors have limited rights. For SME co-operative research projects, SMEs benefiting from the project are principal contractors. For Exploratory awards , SMEs are principal contractors . For both SME Co-operative research projects and SME Exploratory awards , principal contractors share responsibility and have the same access to intellectual property rights. This distinction does not affect intellectual property rights.
Principal contractors share joint and several responsibility.
In Accompanying Measures specific to technology take-up members can participate. For Fellowships , the Commission contract is normally offered to the host institution, which then signs an agreement with the Fellow, in conformity with the terms of the Commission contract. In general, intellectual property rights shall be addressed in the agreement signed with the individual and according to the national legislation of the host institution. Participants in an action may conclude between themselves any agreements necessary to the completion of the work, provided these do not infringe on their obligations as stated in the contract they sign with the Commission. The co-ordinator is the liaison between the participants and the Commission, responsible for collecting, integrating and submitting project deliverables, and for distributing the funds received from the Commission.