UK position paper on Fifth RTD Framework Programme |
| The United Kingdom government has published its initial position paper on the Community's 5th RTD Framework Programme.
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| The position paper has been drawn up in response to Commissioner Edith Cresson's request for Member States' first thoughts on priority themes for the next framework programme. It states that the 5th Framework Programme should be more clearly focused on research in support of the overall aims of enhanced competitiveness and support for Community policies, including those which have a bearing on quality of life, while being of an affordable scale.
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The UK government suggests that the framework programme should be based around a number of thematic objectives and suggests the following:
- Intelligent business and administration: focused on the innovative use of information systems to raise the competitiveness of business and public services in the Information Society
- Agile enterprises: to enable EU industry to improve its competitiveness and to respond to consumer demand by improving productivity, flexibility and supply chain response
- More efficient and sustainable processing industry: to help EU industry to meet the demand for cheaper and higher quality products produced with minimum demand on the environment
- Energy for tomorrow's Europe: to ensure an economic, efficient and safe energy supply, to contribute to Europe's commitments under international treaties and to increase the competitiveness of European energy industries in world markets
- Improvements in the construction sector: to improve value for customers in construction and to improve productivity
- European aeronautics for world markets: to enhance the competitiveness of the European aeronautics industry by maintaining the technological base of European firms on an increasingly collaborative basis
- Tomorrow's car: to enable the European automotive industry to produce vehicle component systems that are significantly more environmentally friendly and, at the same time, comply with global market expectations for safety, performance and cost
- The informed citizen: to empower the citizen to participate actively in the Information Society by individual self-development by means of easier, efficient access to information from public and private sector organizations
- Molecular and biotechnologies for competitiveness and quality of life - innovative products, processes and treatments: to enhance and demonstrate the capability of European bioindustries, their suppliers and users, and to promote innovation which will lead to increased competitiveness and employment opportunities
- Sustainable farming and fishing: to underpin European policies and regulations related to agriculture, fisheries, food, forestry and rural development
- Sustainable transport: to develop innovative solutions to manage the unabated increase in the demand for travel while protecting economic growth and quality of life
- Supporting EU environmental policy: to support the implementation of the 5th Community action programme in relation to the environment and sustainable development
- Strengthening the Single Market - Measurements and testing: to establish the capability for testing and certifying quality European products across all sectors via measurements and tests which demonstrate compliance with relevant EU Directives.
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| Once the objectives have been established, the UK suggests that specific advisory groups be set up to identify the RTD needs of each objective. These needs would then be incorporated into specific programmes.
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The paper suggests that the specific programmes should be based on key technologies, and suggests six programmes:
- Information and communications technologies
- Life sciences and medical technologies
- Energy technologies
- Engineering, chemical and material technologies
- Environmental and marine sciences and technologies
- Social and economic sciences.
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| These programmes would be supplemented by a small number of policy-related programmes, such as transport and agriculture. Overall, however, the UK wants to see a smaller number of specific programmes than those of the 4th Framework Programme, arguing that fewer programmes means less overlap and fewer coordination problems.
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| As regards financial resources, the UK believes that the budget for the 5th Framework Programme should not be any larger than that allocated to the 4th Framework Programme, suggesting that closer coordination between national programmes may be more effective than additional funding at European level. Within the overall funding, however, the UK wants to see a higher proportion going to the exploitation and dissemination of results, and at least the same proportion going to the training of researchers and international cooperation. The paper also recommends a reduction in funding for nuclear safety research.
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| To browse the UK position paper, click here.
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| Hard copies may be obtained from:
Office of Science and Technology
Mr. D. Power
R1/7 Albany House
94-98 Petty France
London SW1H 9ST
United Kingdom
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