VALUE programme SME awards
The Commission of the European Communities makes a second announcement of opportunities addressed to small and medium enterprises to exploit the results of Community research and technological development (RTD) in the framework of the specific programme for the dissemination and utilization of scientific and technological research results (VALUE - SME awards: Actions for the diffusion and utilization of RTD results) Proposals are invited, involving SMEs, and aiming at the exploitation of the results of projects from the Community RTD programme and demonstration projects. The announcement is hence addressed primarily to research contractors who are or have been participants in Community projects and their actual or potential licensees and/or exploitation partners. The latter would not necessarily have participated in EEC RTD. The VALUE-SME scheme is intended primarily for organizations who have already identified possible partnerships and wish to explore these (information on Community RTD results and partners can be obtained from CORDIS). In certain circumstances, technology intermediaries will be allowed to submit proposals on behalf of SMEs. The proposals, based on the exploitation of previous Community research efforts, should aim at increasing the SMEs access to new technologies so as to improve their competitive position. The implementation of the supported activities will be based on the following mechanisms: - Exploratory awards, intended to cover only travel and directly related costs incurred by SMEs (including technology intermediaries on behalf of SMEs), by university departments or other non-profit organizations in meetings to establish wether the technology available will be appropriate to the needs of the acquiring organization (up to 75% of real costs to a maximum of ECU 7000). - Technology exchange awards intended to cover any costs associated with establishing the feasibility of the technology transfer and its implementation (up to 50% of real costs to a maximum of ECU 100,000). Priorities for Community support will be established on the criteria of technical and economic attractiveness, and the transnational character of the project. For full details (information file and application form) contact: (a) Commission of the European Communities Directorate-General for Telecommunications, Information Industries and Innovation, DG XIII/C-2 Jean Monnet Building L-2920 Luxembourg Tel. +352-430133610/-430133519; Fax +352-430134129 (b) Commission of the European Communities Directorate-General for Enterprise Policy, Distributive Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives, DG XXIII/B-3 80 rue d'Arlon B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2353942; Fax +32-2-2361241