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Overview table of Science and Society calls

Other FP6 calls

Expressions of Interest

The Commission invited expressions of interest (EoI) in the field of Science & Society between 1 April and 2 June 2003. The aim was to provide an opportunity in the first year of the programme for researchers and other interested parties to come forward with ideas that could be included in future editions of the work programme.

The work programme for 2004, taking account of the submissions received, will be published towards the end of 2003.

In the meantime, the results of the EoI exercise are now available

Is my project idea suitable?

Proposals for FP6 projects may only be submitted in response to calls for proposals, which are based on work programmes. The first steps, therefore, are:

• To identify the most appropriate thematic priority area or research activity
• To read the relevant section of the current work programme
• To check whether there is an open call for proposals, or when one is due to be published

Direct, personalised advice can be given by the relevant National Contact Point in your own country.

What specific research activities will be undertaken as part of the Science and Society programme?

As outlined in the Science and Society's work programme, activities in this area cover the entire field of science and technology with the aim of:

1. Bringing research closer to society
2. Promoting responsible use of scientific and technological progress, in harmony with fundamental ethical values
3. Stepping up the science-society dialogue

This will be achieved through activities supporting:

• Networking and the establishment of structural links between the institutions and activities at the national, regional and European levels, in particular using information society technologies
• Exchange of experience and 'good practice'
• Carrying out specific research
• High-profile awareness-raising initiatives such as prizes and competitions
• Establishing information- and databases; carrying out studies, especially statistical and methodological studies, on different themes

• Download the programme [pdf]

Can organisations from candidate countries participate in the Science and Society programme?

Participation of associated states in FP6

FP6 is open to any legal entity established in one of the 'associated states', under exactly the same conditions of participation as organisations from Member States. In particular the programme aims to use the scientific potential of candidate countries to assist their preparation for accession to the EU, for the benefit of European science as a whole.

• International scientific co-operation policy (Research DG)
• Infopoint on international co-operation (INCO)

Participation of 'associated states' in the Science and Society programme

Any legal entity from any of the 'associated states' may participate under the same conditions as Member State organisations. An associated state in this case is one that has signed a research association agreement with the European Union.

• Press release: example of 'association agreement'

Participation of third countries in FP6

The participation and funding of legal entities established in countries other than EU Member States and 'associated states', known as 'third countries', is decided on a case-by-case basis, under rules set out in Article 167 of the Treaty. Specific activities support participation by scientists and institutions from developing countries, Mediterranean countries including the Western Balkans, and from Russia and the Newly Independent States (NIS).

• International co-operation in FP6

Participation of third countries in the Science and Society programme

Third country participationis normally acceptable in proposals for projects under the Science and Society programme. However, such participation must be well justified, the third country partner must be fully integrated in the project's activities, and the proposal must meet the requirements for participation from Member States and associated states specified in the call for proposals.

Research fellowships for third country researchers

All of the 'host-driven' mobility schemes of FP6 are open to third country researchers. Experienced researchers may apply for fellowships to work in the EU, and organisations in third countries can host European researchers. Researchers from developing countries and emerging and transition economies can augment their stay in Europe with a re-integration grant in the country of origin.

• International mobility of researchers