Technology stimulation measures for SMEs
Supportive measures intended to increase SMEs participation in the Fourth Framework Programme have supported projects in a variety of subjects, reaching from research on an intelligent tool for micro-drilling to leather ash reuse. The European Commission, DG XII, SME Coordination Unit, has published a report "Technology Stimulation Measures for SMEs", giving an overview of projects selected for funding under Technology Stimulation Measures for SMEs during the period 1995 to 1996. The publication covers a collection of project synopses. It gives a description of the project, lists the cooperating partners and gives the project coordinator's details. Technology stimulation measures for SMEs (TSME), consist of: - Exploratory awards, providing SMEs with financial support for the preparation of project proposals; - Cooperative research scheme (CRAFT), where groups of low or medium-tech SMEs can outsource research work. The measures were implemented by ten research programmes, eight of which are covered in the report: - Industrial and material technologies (BRITE-EURAM 3); - Standards, measurements and testing (SMT); - Biomedicine and health (BIOMED 2); - Biotechnology (BIOTECH 2); - Agriculture and fisheries (FAIR); - Environment and climate (ENV 2C); - Marine science and technology (MAST); - Non-nuclear energy (JOULE/THERMIE). Not included in the report are TSME from the ESPRIT programme and the TRANSPORT programme.