Results of the fifth call for applications for the ALFA programme

The results of the fifth call for applications under the Latin America Academic Training (ALFA) programme, published in September 1997 (OJ No C 292 of 26.9.1997, p. 3), have recently been released by the Commission. From a total of 467 projects presented, 169 have been approve...

The results of the fifth call for applications under the Latin America Academic Training (ALFA) programme, published in September 1997 (OJ No C 292 of 26.9.1997 p. 3), have recently been released by the Commission. From a total of 467 projects presented, 169 have been approved, and will receive funding totalling ECU 7.2 million.

The activities of the ALFA programme are grouped into two fields:
- A: Cooperation for institutional management;
- B: Cooperation for scientific and technical training.

Of the projects approved, 30 are type A projects, and will receive a total of ECU 1.1 million. These projects fall into the following categories:

- 22 Type A1 projects: Structural improvement in higher education;
- 8 Type A2 projects: Design of Higher Education/Companies cooperation project.

Of the type B projects approved, with a budget of ECU 6.1 million, the breakdown is as follows:

- 51 Type B1 projects: Mobility preparatory activities;
- 60 Type B2 projects: Preparation of joint research projects;
- 27 Type B3 projects: Post-graduate exchanges;
- 1 Type B4 project: Student exchanges.

Certain conclusions can be drawn from the results and proposals presented under this call. It would seem that the ALFA programme has experienced new growth, confirmed by the increased number of proposals presented and approved, and by the substantial increase in the budget allocated to these projects by the Commission. There is also a perceptible improvement in participation and leadership from Latin American countries.