Glossary
ACCOMPANYING MEASURES:
Actions supported by the RTD Framework Programmes to contribute to the implementation of a specific programme, with a view to enabling them to achieve or define their strategic objectives. They will also contribute to the preparation of future activities.
ACTS:
Advanced Communications Technologies & Services programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
ASSOCIATED STATE:
Associated States have entered into an Association Agreement with the Community involving reciprocal rights and obligations. Under FP6, they may participate as non-EU legal entities WITH Community Funding once an Association Agreement is in force. They may include, for example, candidates for EU-Membership or EFTA-EEA Countries. Click here for details of Third Country participation in FP6.
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BIOMED 2:
Biomedicine and health programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
BIOTECH 2:
Biotechnology programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
BRITE-EURAM 3:
Industrial Materials and technologies programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
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CALLS FOR PROPOSALS:
In the context of the Seventh Framework Programme, calls are launched at various intervals inviting proposals for research projects and other measures to implement the specific programmes. These measures, together with the deadlines for submitting proposals, are defined in the "call text" published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Click here to access all the calls launched under FP7.
CLUSTERING (of RTD projects):
A feature of the Framework Programmes, the cluster is a defined group of RTD projects. The aim is to guarantee complementarity among projects, to maximise European added value within a given field and to establish a critical mass of resources at the European level.
COAL AND STEEL RESEARCH:
Information service on a new EC coal and steel research programme, including access to funding opportunities, legal information guidelines and contact details.
COMBINED R&D AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS:
Projects implemented under the RTD Framework Programmes combining shared-cost research and technological development projects and demonstration projects. The financial participation of the Community is between 35-50% of total eligible costs.
CONCERTED ACTIONS:
Measures implemented under the RTD Framework Programmes to coordinate RTD projects already in receipt of funding (e.g. to exchange experiences, to reach a critical mass, to disseminate results etc.). The Community contributes up to 100% of the eligible costs necessary for the action.
COMDOCUMENTS:
Commission documents and Secretariat-General documents (identified by their abbreviation COM and SEC) are documents sent by the Commission to the Council and to other Community bodies as part of the Union's decision-making and legislative process. They may be in the form of written communications or in the form of proposed legislation. The COMdocuments on CORDIS are selected on the basis of their relevance.
CORDIS:
Community Research and Development Information Service.
CORDIS: REGIONAL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SERVICE:
Service established to enable regions to promote their research and innovation-related infrastructures, services and activities on CORDIS.
COUNCIL PRESIDENCY RTD INFO SERVICE:
Service established by the Member State holding the Presidency (for 6 months) of the Council of ministers of the European Union. The service highlights the Presidency's research and innovation priorities, activities and related information.
CRIS:
Current Research Information Systems. Visit the CRIS2000 web service.
COST:
European Cooperation in the fields of Scientific and Technical research.
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DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS:
Projects implemented under the RTD Framework Programmes designed to prove the viability of new technologies offering potential economic advantage but which cannot be commercialised directly. The Community contributes up to 35% of the total eligible costs.
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EESD:
Energy Environment and Sustainable Development - one of the four Specific Thematic Programmes of the 5th RTD Framework Programme (1998-2002).
EIMS:
European Innovation Monitoring Systems. Action line of the INNOVATION programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
ELSA:
Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects supported under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
ENV 2C:
Environment and Climate programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
ELECTRONIC PROPOSAL SUBMISSION SYSTEM (EPSS):
A Web-based system to prepare and submit proposals for FP7 online. Access will be provided via CORDIS.
ESPRIT 4:
Information technologies programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
ETAN:
European Technology Assessment Network.
EURATOM:
European Atomic Energy Community Treaty. Research and training activities in the nuclear sector are implemented under the Euratom section of the Framework Programmes. Click here for details of activities implemented under FP7.
EVALUATION MANUAL:
The guidelines for the evaluation of proposals for projects funded under FP5.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EoI):
A facility offered by CORDIS through its partners service to help organisations identify potential partners for participation in the Sixth Framework Programme. Potential participants can either "express threir interest" to participate in a specific programme or search the extensive database for potential partners.
EXTERNAL ADVISORY GROUPS:
Groups of experts constituted to provide independent advice to the Commission on the content and directions of research to be carried out under the Key Actions implementing the Sixth Framework Programme.
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FAIR:
Agriculture and Fisheries programme implemented under the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-98.
FP4:
Fourth RTD Framework Programme, 1994-1998
FP5:
Fifth RTD Framework Programme, 1998-2002
FP6:
Sixth RTD Framework Programme, 2002-2006
FP5 - EURATOM:
Specific programme implementing research and training activities in the nuclear sector under the Euratom Framework Programme.
FP6 - EURATOM:
The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Training activities is a collection of actions at EU level to fund and promote nuclear energy research.
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GENERIC RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:
Activities implemented under the Sixth Framework Programme carried out in a limited number of areas not covered by the Key Actions. Complementing the key actions, their main aim is to help the Community maintain and improve its scientific and technological capability in those areas of research and enabling technologies which should be used widely.
GROWTH:
Competitive and Sustainable Growth - one of the four Specific Thematic Programmes of the 5th RTD Framework Programme (1998-2002).
GUIDE FOR PROPOSERS (Parts 1 & 2):
Each FP6 specific programme has a Guide for Proposers (Part 1), describing the priorities, main rules and conditions for participation in the specific programme. The Guide for Proposers (Part 2) is Call-specific and provides detailed information on the Call for Proposal in question.
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IMPROVING:
Improving Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Environment - one of the three Specific Horizontal Programmes of the 5th RTD Framework Programme (1998-2002).
IMS:
Intelligent Manufacturing Systems - assists and encourages the formation of international research consortia.
IMT (Innovation):
Innovation Management Techniques.
IMT (Brite-EuRam 3):
Industrial & Materials Technologies.
INCO:
RTD Cooperation with third countries and international organizations (INCO) under the 4th RTD Framework Programme (1994-1998).
INCO 2:
Confirming the International role of Community Research - one of the three Specific Horizontal Programmes of the 5th RTD Framework Programme (1998-2002).
INCO-COPERNICUS:
Countries of central Europe and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
INCO-DC:
International Cooperation with developing countries.
INFOSEC:
Security of Telecommunications and Information Systems.
INFORMATION DAYS ("Info Days"):
These will be organised periodically by the European Commission to provide information and guidance on the Specific Programmes and the research areas opened by individual Calls for Proposals.
INFORMATION PACKAGE ("Info Pack"):
Each Call for Proposals will be accompanied by an "Info Pack" containing all of the necessary documentation to prepare and submit a proposal: Call Text; Work Programme; Guide for Proposers (Parts 1 & 2); Proposal Submission Forms; and, Evaluation Manual.
INNOVATION-SMEs:
Promotion of Innovation and Encouragement of SME Participation - one of the three Specific Horizontal Programmes of the 5th RTD Framework Programme (1998-2002).
INTAS:
International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR):
For EC co-financed projects, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) normally belong to the project participants. For projects or actions where the EC bears the full cost the property is generally the property of the Community.
IPR HELP DESK:
Established by the Innovation Programme to help protect Intellectual Property Rights and to assist with patent issues.
IRC: Innovation Relay Centre:
Created to help local companies access the European technology market by promoting their technologies across Europe, and by identifying and importing technological solutions. The IRC network has become a leading European network for the promotion of technology partnerships and transfer between SMEs.
IST:
The acronym for research priority Information Society Technologies - one of the seven Thematic Areas of the 6th RTD Framework Programme (2002-2006).
ITT:
Innovation and Technology Transfer Magazine - the Newsletter of the Innovation Programme.
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JOULE/THERMIE:
See NNE-Joule and NNE-Thermie.
JRC: JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE:
The "official mission" of the JRC is to: provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, private or national.
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KEY ACTION:
A cluster of small and large, applied generic and basic research projects with a European focus (although often not exclusively European). Key Actions concentrate the resources and skills of all relevant disciplines, technologies and people on well-defined socio-economic problems.
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LEGAL ENTITY:
A legal entity (although this is not an exhaustive list) can be an individual, industrial or commercial firm, a university, research organisation, partnership, Associated State, Third State, a country with a Co-operation Agreement, or an SME.
LIFE QUALITY:
Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources - one of the four Specific Thematic Programmes of the 5th RTD Framework Programme (1998-2002).
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MAST-3:
The Marine Science and Technology Programme of the 4th RTD Framework Programme (1994-1998).
MCF: Marie Curie Fellowships.
MCFA:
Marie Curie Fellowship Association: Association of scientists who have been awarded a fellowship by the EC through an independent peer review system.
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Nanotechnology Web Service:
Thematic web service on nanotechnology. This service provides information on Community funding of research in nanotechnology and related actions, and on the actions launched within the context of the European Research Area.
NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS (NCPs):
A system of national contact points has been established for the Specific Programmes of FP7 in each of the Member States and states associated with FP7, with the aim of providing assistance and guidance on FP7 related issues.
NFS:
Nuclear Fission Safety Programme.
NNE-JOULE C:
Research and Development part of the JOULE/THERMIE Programme.
NNE-THERMIE C:
Demonstration part of the JOULE/THERMIE Programme.
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OPET:
Organisations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies.
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PARTNERS SEARCH:
A free service offered by CORDIS to help organisations identify potential partners for participation in the European Union's RTD programmes.
PROGRAMME INFORMATION DESK:
The European Commission has established information desks for each of the specific FP6 programmes to provide assistance and guidance on programme-specific issues.
PROTOOL:
A software tool developed by the European Commission to help proposers prepare the administrative and technical information of a proposal in conformity with the appropriate Proposal Submission Forms.
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RAPIDUS:
Acronym formerly used to designate part of the CORDIS e-mail notification service.
REGIONAL INNOVATION POLICY NETWORK:
Consolidated network of regions, formerly involved in the RITTS/RIS action, to intensify exchange of good practices and to encourage the transregional transfer of experience.
RTD FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME:
Global programme for a given period (e.g. 7th Framework Programme for the period 2007-2013) setting out the European Union's research and technological development (RTD) activities.
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT (R&D) PROJECTS:
One of the shared-cost actions supported by FP6. These are projects obtaining new knowledge intended to develop or improve products, processes or services and/or meet the needs of Community policies.
RESEARCH TRAINING NETWORKS:
One of the types of action funded under FP6. Training networks are for promoting training through research especially of researchers at pre-doctoral and post-doctoral level, whereas.
ROADMAP:
An indicative timetable identifying the parts of a specific programme's Work Programme to be opened by Calls for Proposals and the deadlines involved. Contained as part of the Work Programme.
RTD:
Research, Technological development and Demonstration activities in the European Union.
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SHARED COST ACTIONS:
One of the types of action supported by FP5. These are actions carried out by third parties under contracts concluded with the Community and co-financed by it. They can comprise:
- Research and technological Develop-ment (R&D) projects
- Demonstration projects
- Combined R&D and Demonstration projects
- Support for access to research infrastructures
- SME Co-operative Research projects (CRAFT)
- SME Exploratory Awards
SME-Specific Measures:
Actions developed under FP6: to make it easier for SMEs to take part in RTD programmes of the European Union; to promote research and technological development by SMEs and for SMEs; and, to solve specific technical problems for SMEs and encourage them to develop transnational partnerships (See also: SME CO-OPERATIVE RESEARCH and SME EXPLORATORY AWARDS).
SME CO-OPERATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS (CRAFT):
One of the shared-cost actions supported under FP6. These are unique to the "SME-Specific Measures", enabling at least three mutually independent SMEs from at least two Member States to jointly commission research carried out by a third party.
SME EXPLORATORY AWARDS:
One of the shared-cost actions supported under FP5. These are unique to the "SME-Specific Measures", providing support for an exploratory phase of a project up to 12 months.
SMT:
Standards, Measurements and Testing programme.
SUPPORT FOR ACCESS TO RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES:
One of the shared-cost actions supported by FP6. Encourages the optimum use of the Community's research infrastructure and improves the consistency of the European research fabric.
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TASK FORCE:
Research-industry task forces were established by the Commission to better co-ordinate and stimulate the European research effort in a number of key strategic sectors.
TDSP:
Training and Dissemination Scheme Projects.
TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (TIP):
A plan defining the exploitation of the technology within a project consortium or the dissemination of the results of a project in an effective and formalised way. The production of a TIP will be a contractual requirement for co-financed RTD projects. Its structure will be standardised.
TELEMATICS 2C:
Telematics Applications Programme of the 4th RTD Framework Programme (1994-1998).
THEMATIC NETWORKS:
One of the types of action funded under FP5. Thematic networks are for bringing together a number of different parties around a given objective (e.g. manufacturers, users, universities, etc.).
THIRD STATES:
Third State means a state that is neither a Member State nor an Associated State. Examples of Third States are European Newly Independent States (NIS), Mediterranean Partnerships, countries with Co-operation Agreements, International Organisations and other non-EU Countries on a self-financing basis if their participation is of substantial added value to the objectives of the programme.
TMR:
Training and Mobility of Researchers.
TRAINING FELLOWSHIP (Marie Curie):
One of the types of action funded under FP6. Can be either fellowships where individual researchers apply directly to the Commission, or host fellowships where institutions apply to host a number of researchers.
TRANSPORT:
Transport RTD Programme of the 4th RTD Framework Programme (1994-1998), including the Transport Task Force.
TREND CHARTS:
Services relating to EU innovation services.
TSER:
Targeted Socio-Economic Research.
TVP:
Technology Transfer and Technology Validation Projects - part of the Innovation Programme of the 4th RTD Framework Programme (1994-1998)
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Last updated on: 2011-04-05
