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August 2000
Commission News
New Research Director General
DG Research Director-General Jorma Routti has stepped down. The DG portfolio is now managed by Deputy DG Hendrik Tent.
Technical assistants
In 2000, the EC will seek Project Technical Assistants (PTAs) to help with the implementation of FP 5 for a number of programmes, including the Quality of Life, Information Society, SME, INCO and Human Potential Programmes. For more information, look regularly at: www.cordis.lu
New EU Health Strategy
On May 16, 2000, the European Commission, by David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, presented its proposals for the future strategy on health in the Community. A key part is the new public health programme, which will run for six years and will cost 300 million EURO. Focus will be on: (1) improved health information; (2) improved capacity to address health threats; (3) key determinants of health (and disease).
Busquin to 'think big' on new R&D funding
This autumn, Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin will unveil plans to focus EU funding for R&D on large-scale strategic projects, in a bid to help the Union catch up with its US and Japanese rivals. In his paper, he will argue that the EU money currently is spread far too thinly on a raft of small-scale projects. Instead, the Commission should be prepared to think big with FP6 with priority given to fewer, bigger projects worth millions of EURO apiece. The projects should add value to the EU. The list of key priorities will most likely include: * genomics; * nano technology; * medical research covering the human brain; * fuel cell research; * aeronautics; * information society.
His plans will be closely linked to separate proposals to build a 'European research area'. The latter aims to improve coordination of national and Union-level R&D programmes.
The Commisioner is also examining ways to encourage R&D through tax breaks for research.
Source: European Voice, Vol 6, nr 30, July 27 2000.
Scientific big shots to advice Busquin
On April 27, Commissioner Busquin announced the establishment of a High Level Group on Biosciences. The group is composed of 11 eminent scientists in the life sciences and will advice about current and future developments in biotechnology. Members of the group have been selected on the basis of both their scientific merits as well as their ability to communicate with the lay public. Well known names are Derek Burt, chairman of the British Committtee for the environmental introduction of GMOs, and Marc van Montagu, professor in Gent. For more details, see
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/research/press/2000/pr2704en-ann1.html
Exploitation responsibility of specific research programmes
Since 1989, the European Commission has supported demonstration and dissemination projects as a follow up to research projects. Often, these innovation projects had their own funding, and specific innovation programmes existed.
In FP 5, however, the role of facilitating subsequent exploitation of Community-based research has been passed to the specific research programmes themselves. It is now the responsibility of each of the four thematic programmes to ensure that every FP 5 research project makes concrete plans for eventual commercialization, and follows these through tthe licensing of intellectual property in foreign markets.
Source: Innovation & Technology Transfer, Vol 3, May 2000. For more info, contact Dr. Archibugi, CNR: archibu@www.isrds.rm.cnr.it
Virtual Technology Parks
In 1998, the European Commission approved the European Technology Transfer Initiative (ETTI). Among its recommended elements was a virtual technology park (VTP). Two approaches have been adopted: (1) a multisectoral hub, structured as a consortium of 15 SME platforms, set up at existing business-support institutions with established client bases. At its core is the ETTN website; (2) a sectoral hub, modelled on a virtual technology park. It aims to replicate the services of an ordinary technology park but without the bricks and mortar. By now, platforms have been established for the construction, food production and software sectors, each with its own character.
The project is unique and strong interest in joining the project has been voiced in the US and Australia.
Source: Innovation & Technology Transfer, Vol 3, May 2000. For more information, contact Eklen Pedersen at ellen.pedersen@cec.eu.int. Alternatively, visit:
http://ettn.jrc.it http://www.connet.org http://www.nice-food.org http://www.nsaviking.net
Deadlines 2000
The second deadline for the 2nd call for proposals for funding is
October 11, 2000
The following areas will be open for this call for proposals:
Key Action 2, Control of Infectious Diseases: 2.1. Improved or novel vaccines; 2.2. Strategies to identify and control infectious diseases; 2.3. Aspects of public health and care delivery systems;
Key Action 3, the Cell Factory: 3.1.1. Development of new diagnostics; 3.1.2. Therapeutic strategies; 3.2.2. Bioassays and biosensors; 3.2.4. Biodiversity and ecological dynamics; 3.2.5. Safe use of new biomolecules and bioprocesses; 3.3.4. Identification and sustainable use of metabolic and genetic doversity as a source of new valuable products;
RTD activities of a generic nature: 7.1 Pathogenic mechanisms in chronic and degenerative diseases; 8.1. Genome analysis; 8.2. Functional genomics and proteomics; 9.1. Cell communication in Neurosciences; 9.2. Brain theories in neurosciences.
In addition, based on the open call of March 6, 1999, the following areas are still open: * support for research infrastructures: deadline October 11; * Marie Curie Host Fellowships: deadine October 11; * SME Exploratory Awards, deadline September 13; * Accompanying Measures, deadline October 11.
Selection projects
Selection rates and funding levels of the first call for proposals FP5, Quality of Life, shows the following:
* Key Action 1 (Food and Health): selection rate 21.5%, average funding per project 1,684,613 million EURO; * Key Action 2, Infectious Diseases (vaccines): selection rate 33.3%, average funding 1,973,974 EURO; * Key Action 3, Cell Factory: selection rate 10.4%, average funding 1,945,820 EURO; * Key Action 4, Environment and Health: selection rate 15.7%, average funding 1,437,871 EURO; * Key Action 5, Sustainable agriculture etc: selection rate 71%, average funding 1,331,623 EURO; * Key Action 6, Ageing Population and Disabilities: selection rate 13.7%, average funding 1,387,214 EURO * Generic projects, selection rate 17%, average funding 1,684,404 EURO; * Infrastructures, selection rate 33.3%, average funding 913,614 EURO
EC publications
The quarterly RTD info magazine informs on the main developments in EU funded research activities. Free:
rtd-info@cec.eu.int http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/rtdinfo.html
Bimonthly CORDIS focus also provides a review of the EU's research and innovation activities. Free.
innovation@cec.eu.int http://www.cordis.lu/focus/en/src/focus.htm
Summaries of BIOMED 2 research projects (1994-1998) are available from DG 12: * vol 1, 713 pp, ISBN 92-828-7426-5 * vol 2, 651 pp, ISBN 92-828-7315-3 Please contact stephane.hogan@cec.eu.int
Catalogue of Central and Eastern European projects
Since 1992, the EU has intensified research cooperation with the Central and Eastern European countries and the new independent states of the former Soviet Union under the Copernicus programme.
In 1998, 235 projects were selected (from 1931 proposals) and 1574 teams funded (from 10,236 proposing teams). An amount of 53 million EURO was allocated for projects in environmental protection, health research activities, non-nuclear energy, information technologies, advanced communications and social sciences.
A catalogue of projects is available for 12 EURO (551 pages, reference CG-13-98-322-EN-C).
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