Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

Programme Category

Programma
Contenuto archiviato il 2023-03-27

Article available in the following languages:

EN

Specific research programmes (EEC) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Exploratory research -, 1992-1994

 
Part of the third Framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994) under subactivity III.6.: "Human capital and mobility", Joint Research Centre (JRC) exploratory research is provided for in the two Council Decisions adopting the 1992-1994 JRC programmes: Decision 92/273/EEC and Decision 92/274/Euratom, both of 29 April 1992 (Official Journal No L 141 of 23.5.1992).

In its communication to the Council concerning "A new outlook for the Joint Research Centre" (COM(87) 491 of 20.4.1988) the Commission welcomed the proposal of a Panel of Senior Industrialists that a share of the total turnover of the JRC should be dedicated to "preparatory research". The arguments which would lead to the selection of a particular action were:
- The improvement of scientific vitality and potential;
- The exploration of suitable and promising avenues;
- The testing of new ideas or concepts on a small experimental scale;
- The provision of additional facilities for visiting scientists and fellows;
- The enhancement of the impact of industrial club activities.

The Board of Governors first approved a number of exploratory research projects at its meeting of 9 June 1988 and the necessary transfer of funds was duly made as a charge upon the resources of the specific JRC research programmes.
To increase the level of excellence of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) laboratories in selected scientific areas and to search for new ideas.
- Institute exploratory research (discretionary);
- JRC exploratory research.
The Commission, assisted by the Board of Governors of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), is responsible for carrying out the research by means of the services of the JRC.

Proposals come essentially from those responsible for scientific activities at the JRC. This process is reinforced by the scientific opinions that the Advisory Committees of the JRC Institutes are called upon to give concerning the work of their respective Institutes. Together, these proposals are analyzed and a selection made by the Director-General, who includes the preparatory research themes for a particular year in the work schedule for that year, submitted to the JRC Board of Governors for approval. If it is felt necessary, independent experts may be asked to give an opinion.

The JRC 1992 annual work schedules for 1992 describe 13 "Institute exploratory research" actions and 20 "JRC exploratory research" actions being carried out at the JRC Institutes in Geel, Ispra, Karlsruhe and Petten. .

During the period 1988-1991, an amount equivalent to 5% of the amounts deemed necessary for each specific JRC programme could be used for "preparatory research". The Council Decisions (EEC and Euratom) adopting the 1992-1994 JRC programmes allow up to 6% of the funds allocated to each specific programme to be used for "exploratory research".

A sum representing 1% of the total JRC budget for 1992-1994 is reserved as a contribution from the JRC's specific programmes to the centralized action on dissemination and exploitation of results (VALUE II). Knowledge gained through the realization of the projects will be disseminated by the programme itself as well as by the centralized action.

The Commission shall each year before 31 March present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee a report on the implementation of the research, together with the observations of the Board of Governors. At the end of the programme an evaluation of the research shall be conducted by a group of independent external experts and a report on the evaluation, accompanied by the opinion of the Board of Governors, shall be forwarded to these same bodies.