B. Training of researchers
Objectives and approach
The objective is to sow the seeds of future collaboration between Europe and the countries concerned by setting up a system of bursaries, complementary to Member States schemes, to give young researchers from Developing Countries, (including Mediterranean Partner Countries and Emerging Economies) the opportunity of collaborating within institutes in the Community (or in Associated States) on projects of the specific programmes of the 5th Framework Programme.
The approach is to grant bursaries for a period of up to 6 months, for training (i.e. learning a scientific technique) or for work on a particular experiment (or study) which cannot be performed in the home institute of the young researcher. Bursary applications must be linked to a joint research(5) or concerted action proposal in any of the specific programmes.
Optional bursary application forms will be included in the information packs of all specific programmes. Bursary applications will then be evaluated simultaneously with the project proposal. Only if the whole project is selected for funding and the bursary application is highly rated, will the bursary be granted. Applications from female scientists will be encouraged.
Deliverables
Participation of young researchers from Developing Countries in projects of the 5th Framework Programme leading to the construction and strengthening of links between these countries and the Community.
Specific criteria
Eligibility criteria: The candidate must be a national of, and established in, one of the eligible regions; he/she should not be more than 40 years of age and must have a good knowledge of a working language of the host institute. The host institute must be established in an EU Member State or in a State associated to the 5th Framework Programme, and must be a member of the consortium proposing the joint research project or the concerted action. The application must be submitted together with a research proposal for one of the specific programmes of the 5th Framework Programme.
Selection criteria: The selection will be made based on the excellence of the scientific and/or training objectives of the application, the potential value of the bursary to the applicant and his/her home institute, the relevance of the proposed bursary to the project as a whole and the experience and professional training of the candidate.
Objective and Approach
The objective is to enable young researchers and engineers from the Community (and Associated States) to participate in high-level industrial research in public and private laboratories in Japan.
The approach is to grant bursaries for a period of 24 months to carry out research in any of the natural or exact sciences. The bursary will also include intensive Japanese language training. Applications from female scientists will be encouraged.
Deliverables
Increased level of participation of young European researchers in Japanese industrial research activities, leading to the construction and strengthening of links between that country and the Community.
Specific criteria
Eligibility criteria: candidates should be nationals of, and established in, an EU member state or a state associated to the 5th Framework Programme and not be more than 32 years of age.
Selection criteria: The selection will be made based on the relevance of the subjects to Community RTD policy, the industrial interest of the projects and the experience and professional training of the candidates.
C. Co-ordination
Objectives and approach
The objectives and approach will be to ensure complementarity between the research activities undertaken by this programme and those undertaken by the other RTD programmes and external assistance programmes as well as by the member states.
Deliverables
- Increased coherence, efficiency and impact of European RTD activities,
- Increased international co-operation in the thematic programmes,
- Complementarity and synergy with other international RTD fora.
Priorities
Other programmes will be assisted to establish co-operation with third countries and information about participation opportunities will be disseminated. The resulting co-operation with third countries and international organisations will be monitored and analysed in terms of benefits to the Community and conformity with the Community's external policies. Assessment of participation patterns will help to determine whether such participation should be subject to the conclusion of an international agreement in order to ensure reciprocity and adequate arrangements for Intellectual Property Rights.
The programme will support the COST Secretariat and its co-ordination activities, and seek to increase its efficiency and flexibility. Complementarity between COST and the Framework Programme will be ensured as will systematic information flow between them. Closer collaboration in the form of Community membership of COST is envisaged.
Support will also be provided for the EUREKA Secretariat and selected co-ordination activities. Co-operation will be enhanced through joint working groups representing key actions and national EUREKA offices. Commission participation in EUREKA will be reinforced through closer co-operation in strategic activities and through participation of EUREKA consortia in appropriate key actions.
Closer co-operation between the Community and International Organisations involved in research activities and S&T; policy development and their participation in activities of the 5th Framework Programme will strengthen the overall coherence of research in Europe and optimise the use and exploitation of Europe's scientific infrastructures. The Commission will, where appropriate, intensify the Community's involvement in these organisations in particular through encouraging co-ordination between and with the Member States.
In areas where the international research activities of the Community and of the Member States address similar or related issues, the programme will support accompanying measures (studies, workshops, seminars, etc.) to identify areas with potential for enhanced co-ordination between and with the Member States in order to enhance the overall effectiveness of European RTD efforts. Where appropriate, it will subsequently propose or support concrete co-ordination activities (e.g. networks).
(5) Research and technological development projects, demonstration projects and combined projects.