European stimulation plan (EEC) for economic science (SPES), 1989-1992

Part of the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (1987-1991) under subactivity 8.1.: "Stimulation".
To conduct high-level and wide-ranging research into the economy of the European Community at both micro-economic and macro-economic levels, including the economics of integration and the determinants of and deterrents to growth as well as monetary, fiscal, trade and industrial policies, and to promote an exchange of knowledge and the mobility of economists between the Member States.
Topics include:
- The Community's internal market programme and issues of micro-economic analysis, including industrial organization and the economics of regulatory policies (e.g. standards);
- The economics of European integration, including North-South relations within Europe;
- The determinants of economic growth in western Europe, including dynamic factors, such as advanced technology and innovation, and constraints, such as environmental concerns;
- Systemic monetary issues and macro-economic and fiscal policy coordination;
- Problems of trade policy and the role of western Europe in the international division of labour;
- Employment, health and social policy issues, having regard to the different characteristics of western Europe by comparison with the USA or Japan;
- Methodological and modelling problems and the establishment of statistical concepts and adequate technical, social and economic indicators.
The Commission is responsible for executing the programme by providing scholarships, research grants, grants for multinational networks or research projects and subsidies for high-level training courses organized in collaboration with scientific communities, and by facilitating surveys and studies as well as access to data banks.

The contracts entered into by the Commission show the rights and obligations of each party, particularly the methods of disseminating, protecting and exploiting research results and of making any necessary reimbursement of funding.

The Commission is authorized to negotiate agreements with international organizations, with those countries participating in European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST) and with those European countries which have concluded framework agreements on scientific and technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to associating them wholly or partially with the programme. Such agreements are based on mutual advantage.

During the third year of implementation, the Commission will review the programme and submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council/Member States. It will subsequently submit a final evaluation of the results achieved.