Science and technologies - STRATA - FAQs

Science and Technology Policies
STRATA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I know if my own areas of expertise and interest are congruent with the Scientific and Technology Policies Support aimed by STRATA? Which is the scope of activities of STRATA?
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2. We thought of a Thematic Network for a proposal, but we just heard that there are strict budget limitations for each partner in a thematic network. This may be a problem, as we intend to carry out studies and generate new data. Can you please clarify?
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3. I am an independent consultant interested in your recently launched calls. Can I apply as an individual for the creation of a Thematic Network or the organisation of a series of workshops I have in mind? If not, how can you assist me in finding interested partners?
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4. How can I get a subsidy for a supporting measure I figured with some colleagues - perfectly fitting the aims of STRATA?
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5. On the ongoing call for applications for inclusion in a list of experts for Expert Groups on S&T Policy issues, please clarify:

   1. Can I use a single form for my organisation, and include a number of qualified staff members, or should I fill in a form for each individual (which is much more time consuming)?
   2. Will applications by e-mail be accepted?

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6. Which are the deadlines for submission of proposals:

   1. For Thematic Networks;
   2. For Accompanying Measures;
   3. For the inclusion of list of experts for Expert Groups.

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7. Which nationalities are eligible for individual experts, under projects or expert groups?
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1. The scope of characterisations of such policies evolve around the support of Science and the promotion of particular Technologies. They usually include support to general technological and innovation capabilities.

STRATA is not directly aiming the development of S&T, but is providing support for the development of widest RTD Policy issues in Europe.

For more details, please see the chapters of the IHP Work Programme relating to S&T policies support, particularly STRATA.

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2. In fact, for Thematic Networks, of the eligible costs, the financing is normally limited, on average, to 20 thousand EURO per partner and per year.

Exceptions may be granted in dully-justified cases (see Guide for Proposers, part 2, V). Depending on the scope of the activities, a global "clustering" project may be submitted, comprising a Thematic Network and Accompanying Measures (under two cross-referring proposals).

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3. You can. Realistically, though, the likely success of such proposal is very thin as, by the typical nature of activities and level of involvement needed for S&T Policy support, several partners / institutions are needed to create the momentum and the critical mass of resources at European level. We suggest you to contact other potentially interested peers.

We have a list of people who responded to our information workshop of March 1999 and are wishing to exchange their particulars. If interested, please e-mail to improving@ec.europa.eu and, please, send us your own particulars.

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4. STRATA does not provide subsidies.

We have periodical competitive calls for proposals that are evaluated by panels of independent experts and sorted by their relative merits.

For Thematic Networks, the actual deadline for proposals is 02/06/1999. Next, most probably, will be launched on 15/06/2000.

For Accompanying Measures, the incoming proposals will be evaluated, in principle, every three months. To know more, please see the indicative calendar in the IHP Work Programme (S&T Policies support - STRATA).

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5. A database is to be created with all the individual data - in view of creating future Expert Groups on specific themes.

1 - Only individual data will be entered, disregarding the professional environment of each expert;

2 - Given that the forms must be signed by each individual expert, and attachments provided, a specific authentication mail facility could not be found in time to replace the good old mailing method.

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6.

1 - Next call to be launched in February 2001;

2 - "Open ended" call meaning that, in principle, evaluations of calls will take place every three months; new call to replace the existing one in February 2001;

3 - Equally an "open ended" call for applications, receivable up to 30/09/2002.

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7. The same nationalities as partners'. Broadly, you are eligible to participate in the IHP/STRATA (with EC funding) if you are national of any of the EU member states, any of Associated states of the EFTA-EEA or of the Accession countries or Israel – assuming that the Association Agreements will be in force at the moment of signature of contracts. Special cases also exist. For more details, please see table 4 of Guide for Proposers (Part I) or /inco2/src/p-fp5.htm