What's it all about? - Improving Human Potential FAQs

The Human Potential Programme

Frequently Asked Questions on Improving Human Potential and the Socio-economic Knowledge Base Programme

This information is intended to give an overview of the whole of the Human Potential Programme by answering some of the very basic questions asked. Each specific activity within this programme has a dedicated Guide for Proposers and in most cases specific questions and answers to help applicants.

For more detailed information applicants should go to the specific activity of their choice on the Human Potential Programme homepage.

1. What is the Fifth Framework Programme?
2. How does the Human Potential Programme fit into the Fifth Framework Programme?
3. What is the Human Potential Programme?
4. Are there any new activities under Human Potential compared to the former programmes Training and Mobility of Researchers (TMR) and Targeted Socio-economic Research (TSER)?
5. Which scientific fields are supported under the Human Potential Programme?
6. Is this programme relevant for me and/or my organisation?
7. Can companies participate within Human Potential?
8. Is there funding for doctoral studies?
9. Are the salary rates for Marie Curie Fellows given in the Work Programme also for young researchers appointed to Research Training Networks?
10. Where do I find out about opportunities: for Conferences; in Research Training Networks; at Research Infrastructures; under Marie Curie Host Fellowships?
11. What is ProTool? How do I use Protool?
12. When are the deadlines?
13. How are proposals evaluated?
14. Where can I get more information?
15. Are there contact points at the Commission for each activity?

1. What is the Fifth Framework Programme?

The Fifth RDT Framework Programme is the European Community programme, which sets the priorities for European funding for activities in research, technological development and demonstration between 1998 and 2002. The programme is the fifth in a series of four-year programmes, which provide the framework for a number of specific programmes.

Activities supported by the Fifth Framework Programme aim to complement nationally funded activities by finding solutions to the socio-economic, scientific and technological challenges facing Europe. For an overview of the Fifth Framework Programme please consult: /fp5/

2. How does the Human Potential Programme fit into the Fifth Framework Programme?

Within the Fifth EC RTD Framework Programme there are four thematic programmes: Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources; User-friendly Information Society; Competitive and Sustainable Growth; Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development. These programmes support research and technological development in specific scientific areas.

In addition, there are three horizontal programmes: Confirming the International Role of Community Research; Promotion of Innovation and Encouragement of Participation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs); Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-economic Knowledge Base. These programmes support activities that address broad generic issues that impact upon the whole Community research policy. The Human Potential Programme is the horizontal programme, which supports the stimulation of the training and mobility of researchers in the European Community and also aims to strengthen the socio-economic knowledge base.

3. What is the Human Potential Programme?

Human Potential is the working name of the Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-economic Knowledge Base Programme (1998 – 2002). The Human Potential Programme represents the evolution of research priorities under two programmes of the 4th Framework Programme: Training and Mobility of Researchers (TMR) and Targeted Socio-economic Research (TSER). The Human Potential Programme consists of five distinct actions:

1. Supporting training and mobility of researchers, through Research Training Networks and Marie Curie Fellowships

2. Enhancing access to research infrastructures

3. Promoting scientific and technological excellence through: High-level Scientific Conferences; Young Scientist Contest; Raising Public Awareness activities.

4. Improving the socio-economic knowledge base

5. Support for the development of scientific and technology policies in Europe

4. Are there any new activities under Human Potential compared to the former TMR and TSER programmes: Training and Mobility of Researchers (TMR) and Targeted Socio-economic Research (TSER)?

Yes. There are:

4.1 New Marie Curie Fellowships:

• Marie Curie Experienced Researchers Fellowships for the transfer of knowledge and technology between industry/academia;
• Marie Curie Industry Host Fellowships: for the training of young researchers in companies;
• Marie Curie Development Host Fellowships: to allow research groups in less-favoured regions to develop a new research competence by hosting post-doctoral researchers;
• Marie Curie Training Sites: to allow doctoral students to undertake part of their PhD in an internationally recognised research group.

4.2 Extended Support under Enhancing Access to Research Infrastructures:

• Infrastructure Co-operation Networks: involving at least three independent legal entities from at least two countries.

4.3 New types of Conferences:

• EuroWorkshops: for small meetings with up to 30 participants active in scientific fields of extreme dynamism, for up to 2 weeks duration;
• Large Conferences: funding for the participation of young researchers at events with more than 100 participants;
• PhD EuroConferences: for conferences organised by and open exclusively to young researchers;
• Eurotron Conferences: for electronic conferences where participants remain at their home locations and meet in a virtual environment via interconnected computers.

4.4 New types of prizes: (more information in September)

• The Descartes Prize: for outstanding scientific and technological achievements resulting from European collaborative research;
• The Archimedes Prize: for undergraduate students who have developed original scientific ideas or concepts of relevance for the advancement of European Science.

4.5 New activities under the heading of Raising Public Awareness of Science and Technology:

• Co-operation Networks: to promote best practice in raising public awareness of science and technology;
• Round Table Meetings: meetings on topics related to European priority research, technology and development policies and programmes;
• European Science Week (a new activity under the programme): a framework for TV programmes, exhibitions, conferences and other science activities;
• Provision of science related information: for the development of information via electronic networks and other appropriate means.

4.6 New activities under the heading support for the development of science and technology policies in Europe:

• Strategic analysis of specific political issues;
• Science, technology and innovation indicators.

5. Which scientific fields are supported under the Human Potential Programme?

The Human Potential Programme is open to all fields of scientific research that contribute to the European Community's objectives in research, technological development and demonstration. These objectives are reflected by the aims of the Fifth Framework Programme (general information on the Fifth Framework Programme can be found on the Internet at /fp5/).

The Fifth Framework Programme is directed towards strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community industry, encouraging it to become more competitive at an international level, while promoting all the research activities deemed necessary by virtue of other Chapters of the Treaty. In addition, the Programme aims to contribute to promoting the quality of life of the Community's citizens, to improving the employment situation and to the sustainable development of the Community as a whole, including the ecological aspects.

Proposals submitted to the Fifth Framework Programme are selected on the basis that the Community shall take action only if proposal objectives can not be sufficiently achieved by the Member States.

As there are no pre-established targets in terms of scientific discipline, which are chosen by applicants themselves, proposals submitted to the Human Potential Programme are selected on the basis of scientific excellence and relevance to the objectives of the activity and the Fifth Framework Programme.

6. Is this programme relevant for me and/or my organisation?

There is wide scope for participation by individuals and organisations involved in science, research and development, as highlighted below. Participants are required to meet specific eligibility criteria defined within each activity's Guide for Proposers.

7. Can companies participate within Human Potential?

Yes. The participation of companies, including SMEs, is particularly encouraged. In addition to the Marie Curie Industry Host Fellowship scheme, which is designed exclusively for companies, companies or individuals working in companies may participate in all the activities of the programme provided that they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.

8. Is there funding for doctoral studies?

Yes. There are three activities that support doctoral studies:

• Marie Curie Training Sites: support up to one academic year of doctoral studies (positions to be advertised by selected Training Sites from spring 2000)

• Industry Host Fellowships support researchers who undertake a doctoral degree during their time with the company for up to three years. (Positions to be advertised by previously selected industry hosts from late autumn 1999)

• Research Training Networks support the appointment of doctoral level researchers. (Positions currently available within Networks selected under the 4th Framework Programme

For all three of the above activities young researchers apply directly to selected host research groups, which advertise available positions on the Human Potential Internet homepage. Advertisements will specify the exact area of research where positions are available.

Please note: Marie Curie Individual Fellowships, where researchers apply directly to the Commission for their own fellowship, are now only available for post-doctoral level fellowships.

9. Is it obligatory for Research Training Networks to appoint researchers using the salary rates given for Marie Curie Fellows in the Work Programme?

No, these rates have been set with the help of the Member States and are obligatory only for the Marie Curie Fellowships. The Networks are free to set any rates they consider appropriate (including the same rate as for Fellowships if they wish to do so) as long as the salary is not less than a national researcher with equivalent experience in the same institution.

10. Where do I find out about opportunities: for Conferences; in Research Training Networks; at Research Infrastructures; under Marie Curie Host Fellowships?

All available opportunities can be consulted on the Internet. Click on the relevant activities' homepage where details of these activities are located. If you find an activity of interest to your research you should then apply directly to the activity of your choice, not to the Commission.

11. What is ProTool? Should I use ProTool?

ProTool is a software package, which allows you to fill in your proposal, save it and insert the contributions of any partners. ProTool is compatible with various computer platforms for example Macintosh, Unix, and Windows. ProTool can be used to fill in proposal forms for all activities, with the exception of Research Training Networks and Marie Curie Host Fellowships. Once you have filled in your proposal with ProTool, it allows you to print the application form, for submission to the Commission by mail. At a later stage (from autumn 1999), ProTool will also allow you to submit your proposal electronically. All relevant information for this will be given on this site. (Click here for Protool).

12. When are the deadlines?

Go to p38 of the Work Programme for the list of calls and deadlines.

13. How are proposals evaluated?

Proposals received by the Human Potential Programme are evaluated through a system of peer review with independent experts from academia, research centres and industry reviewing proposals submitted to the Commission. Further information can be found in the Guides for Evaluators available on this Internet site.

• Research Training Networks

• Marie Curie Fellowships

• Enhancing Access to Research Infrastructures

• High-level Scientific Conferences

• Raising Public Awareness

• Improving the Socio-economic Knowledge Base

• Strategic Analysis of Specific Political Issues

14. Where can I get more information?

There are a number of main sources of information:

14.1 There are Guides for Proposers for the following activities:

• Research Training Networks

• Marie Curie Individual Fellowships

• Marie Curie Industry Host Fellowships

• Marie Curie Training Sites and Marie Curie Development Host Fellowships

• Enhancing Access to Research Infrastructures

• High-level Scientific Conferences

• Raising Public Awareness

• Improving the Socio-economic Knowledge Base

• Strategic Analysis of Specific Political Issues

14.2 There are frequently asked questions for the following activities:

Click on the activity of interest below for specific questions and answers:

• Research Training Networks

• Marie Curie Fellowships

• Enhancing Access to Research Infrastructures (Questions in preparation)

• High-level Scientific Conferences

• Young Scientists' Competition

• Raising Public Awareness Activities

• Improving the Socio-economic Knowledge Base (Questions in preparation)

• Strategic analysis of specific political issues

14.3 There are National Contact Points in each Member and Associated State.

National Contact Points are able to answer queries on the Programme. Help can be provided particularly with questions relating to national or local research conditions and environment. In addition, National Contact Point Staff may be able to:

• advise on administrative procedures and contractual issues (e.g. the role and responsibilities of participants in a consortium, eligible costs, the rights and obligations of contractors,...)

• assist in partner search activities notably by disseminating and managing calls for expressions of interest and calls for applications;

• assist organisations, in particular new actors and SMEs with a view to preparing proposals;

• assist with training seminars for specific target groups (SMEs, Universities, professional organisations,...)

• signpost enquirers to other sources of Community support;

• provide general and specific documentation on the Community RTD programmes, including on conditions for participation, and on possibilities and conditions for submission.

14.4 There is an e-mail help-desk for Human Potential: improving@ec.europa.eu
Enquirers should insert the activity title in the e-mail subject.

15. Are there contact points at the Commission for each activity?