Raising Public Awareness - Guided Tour - Tour 1

Raising Public Awareness

Guided Tour

1. What is Raising Public Awareness?

Overall framework

Raising Public Awareness is one of the three Human Potential Programme activities which are aimed at promoting scientific and technological excellence (the other two being High-level Scientific Conferences and Awards).

These activities highlight the importance of achieving scientific and technological excellence in Europe to allow the EU to succeed in the competitive environment of international research and scientific development. In this context, it is understood that scientific activities and research can only have the expected beneficial impact if citizens develop a basic understanding of science and scientific issues and have an overall positive perception of research and its results.

Objectives

The main objective of ‘Raising Public Awareness of Science and Technology’ is to bridge the gap between science in its European dimension and the public. In particular, the activities envisaged are aimed at raising public awareness of scientific activities and technological developments undertaken at the European level and in European research programmes. This should help European citizens to understand better both the beneficial impact of science and technology on their day-to-day lives as well as limitations and possible implications of research and technological developments. Furthermore, this activity aims to increase scientists’ awareness of issues and subjects that are of concern to the public. Click here for more information on the importance of raising public awareness.

Where possible, activities will build on and complement national activities

Types of proposals:

• Proposals for thematic networks for the exchange of experience, knowledge, know-how or best practice. (Duration of networks should be between 2 to 3 years).

  Preference will be to networks involving at least five non-affiliated partners established in at least three Member States or Associated States; at least one of the partners must be established in a Member State

• Proposals for accompanying measures for testing of best practice, demonstration of new approaches, analysis of methodologies, and in the case of the European Science and Technology Week the direct demonstration of S&T to the public.

  Preference will be given to accompanying measures involving at least three mutually independent partners from at least three different Member States or Associated States; at least one of the partners must be established in a Member State. Accompanying measures involving fewer partners may qualify for support if they promise to produce transferable results that could be used by actors not involved in the respective project

  The information package for each call sets out the eligibility criteria for these indirect RTD actions and give more information on the nature of the work required.