Participant Identification Code

The Participant Identification Code , abbreviation PIC , German participant identification code or participant code for short, is a nine-digit number that the European Union (EU) assigns to legal entities who want to apply for EU research funding. Under this number, the essential information on the legal person is technically recorded in the Unique Registration Facility , the uniform interactive government system with an Internet interface for the filing of the data by the participants. Only one number can be assigned to each legal entity.

When submitting individual applications for research funding, which can now only be made online in the EU Participant Portal , the entry of the PIC is mandatory, but the entry also replaces the entry of all the various administrative information about the applicant legal person. After entering the PIC, only the project-specific information needs to be entered. The procedure of a participant database fed by internet-based data acquisition was introduced for the 7th research framework program of the EU (2007-2013) .

The use of the PIC is also mandatory in the current Horizon 2020 funding program for 2014–2020, which in addition to research funding also includes the funding line of the old framework program for competitiveness and innovation and the programs of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT).

Example: The Participant Identification Code of the German University for Administrative Sciences Speyer is PIC 921363619.

The use of the PIC has now been expanded to include the promotion of research and innovation. The use of the PIC is also mandatory for institutional applicants for the major European funding program for student exchange, the Erasmus program , and EU programs such as Creative Europe , Europe for Citizens and EU Aid Volunteers . Registration takes place when registering for the first time via the Education, Audio-visual, Culture, Citizenship and Volunteering Participant Portal .

Legal Entity Appointed Representative (LEAR)

Every institution that would like to receive a PIC must appoint a Legal Entity Appointed Representative (LEAR) (meaning: a representative named by the legal representative of the institution ). That person is

for the European Commission the contact person for all questions about the legal status of the institution,
maintains and updates the institution's data in the participant database,
has an overview of the involvement and role of his institution in various projects through comprehensive insight into the data of his institution.

In addition to the online information, original documents must also be submitted to the Commission:

Letter of appointment for the LEAR, description of its role according to the specifications, signed and stamped
Copies of the identity card or passport with a photo and signature of the legal representative and the LEAR
Authorization letter that the person naming the LEAR is also authorized to do so.

In addition to the LEAR as the main authorized representative, further inspection and input rights can be granted, in particular for individual applicants for funding for projects or for the finance department of an institution.

Examination of financial capacity

In the case of private institutions that apply for or receive larger grants, the financial performance is checked first and at intervals later. Obtaining a validated PIC requires further information for this group of applicants.

Validation

The self-registration of new participants is checked within the EU administration by the validation service, which is located at the Research Executive Agency (REA). The EU only concludes grants contracts after validation.