ECLAIR mid-term assessment
The ECLAIR programme (European Collaborative Linkage of Agriculture and Industry through Research, 1988-1993) is a novel five year research programme which aims to strengthen the linkages between agriculture and industry and to encourage closer collaboration between public and private sector organizations in different Member States. A call for expressions of interest for the programme was made in July 1986 and received a total of 856 responses. The call for proposals launched in December 1988 received 220 proposals involving 1409 participants and requesting Community funding amounting to ECU 400 million (the ECLAIR budget for EC funding is ECU 80 million, with approximately ECU 15 million earmarked for training/mobility grants, studies, and programme management). After expert evaluation, a total of 42 projects were taken up. Participants include industrial and agricultural firms, research institutes and universities. The mid-term evaluation was based on statistical information provided by DG XII together with a questionnaire survey of all participants and 16 interviews of project coordinators and participants. The report analyses participation profile, and has helped to illustrate the full extent of RTD support provided by ECLAIR through the identification of sub-contractors. Almost half of the participants are from the private sector and one third from industry. Successful uptake of the programme by SMEs, comprising three quarters of all private sector participants, is evident. With an average of four different countries per project, the programme has also encouraged a good level of cross-country collaboration. The innovative nature of the programme was highlighted by the finding that over 60% of the questionnaire respondants are taking part in Community research for the first time. Over half have formed new linkages and nearly all (95%) expect linkages to last beyond the duration of their current project. Outputs from the programme are already apparent although most projects are only part way completed. Outputs include: production of scientific papers; employment of ECLAIR trainees; short-term exchange/movement of personnel; 24 patent applications and 9 applications to the VALUE programme. Most participants were satisfied with the programme and felt very positive about its aims and progress.