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Introduction

The international S&T cooperation of the European Union (INCO) has a 20-year history of promoting excellence in scientific and technological cooperation with third countries in all parts of the world. Such cooperation aims to contribute knowledge-intensive solutions to societal problems through investing in people and their institutions for sustainable development.

The programme is based on dialogue with partner regions and promotes the development of long-term durable research partnerships and uptake of their research results. It increases coordination with Member State�s bilateral cooperation and supports the implementation of Community policies with respect to third countries and other international commitments. Its overarching objective is to help stimulate sustainable socio-economic development and global competitiveness. It pursues this objective by:

  1. enhancing the added value and cost effectiveness that joint research projects can generate by exploiting the resources and scientific excellence of all partners,
  2. funding new research that reflect EU and partner priorities,
  3. exchanging know-how and transfer technologies whenever possible,
  4. providing on-the-job training and work experience

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Routes and Budget

There are three major routes to international cooperation in FP6, i.e.

Specific measures in support of international cooperation (mutual interest activities) involving developing countries, Mediterranean countries (including the Western Balkans), and Russia and the New Independent States (NIS), 346 million € (This amount is a combination of the initial FP6 Council Decision and funds stemming from the 2004 enlargement)

Focussing and integrating Community Research towards the participation of third-country organisations in the seven thematic priorities and in the specific activities covering a wider field of research, 285 million €

Section 2.2 "Human resources and mobility" makes additional funds available for research training of third-country researchers in Europe. For more information, please see the Marie Curie Actions websites: /fp6/mobility.htm and http://europa.eu/comm/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/indexhtm_en.html

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Eligibility:

A general brochure about the international dimension of the European research area can be found here.

Also, for more detailed information about eligibility, please see the following PDF brochures:

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INCO Partner countries

INCO partner countries are listed in Annex C of the INCO Work Programme and grouped in the following regions:

  1. Developing Countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), Asia, Latin America)
  2. Mediterranean Partner Countries;
  3. Western Balkan Countries;
  4. Russia and the other New Independent States (NIS);
  5. Multilateral Co-ordination of National RTD Policies and Activities.

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INCO Activity Areas:

List of all research priorities foreseen for the Specific measures in support of International Cooperation (INCO) for 2002-2006 (FP6)

A. Developing countries

A1. HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

A2. RATIONAL USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

A3. FOOD SECURITY

B. Mediterranean partner countries

B1. ENVIRONMENT

B2. PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE

B3. HEALTH

C. Western Balkan countries

C1. ENVIRONMENT

C2. HEALTH

D. Russia and the other NIS

D.1. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
D.2. ADJUSTING THE SYSTEM OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND COMMUNICATION
D.3. HEALTH PROTECTION

E. Multilateral coordination of national RTD policies and activities.

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INCO in the Thematic Priorities:

Priority thematic areas of research

  1. Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health
  2. Information Society Technologies
  3. Nano-technologies and nano-sciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials, and new production processes and devices
  4. Aeronautics and Space
  5. Food Quality and Safety
  6. Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems
    1. Sustainable Energy Systems
    2. Sustainable Surface Transport
    3. Global Change and Ecosystems
  7. Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society

Specific activities covering a wider field of research

  1. Research for policy support
  2. New and emerging science and technology (NEST)
  3. Horizontal research activities involving SMEs

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Multilateral Cooperation

INCO is responsible for Multilateral Cooperation and relations with Russia, Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. Its tasks comprise the management of INTAS and non-proliferation programmes. INCO Multilateral Cooperation also includes managing the European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development.

Science and Technology relations with Russia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia

European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD)

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Support Materials

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Previous Research

Related research programmes implemented under the:

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INCO Info-point

The INCO info-point aims to provide information on international scientific cooperation activities within the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).

Requests for information should be sent to: inco@ec.europa.eu

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