Challenge to raise public awareness of science and technology
The European Commission has announced a call for proposals under the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (RTD) activities for the period 1998 to 2002. The call invites proposals for indirect RTD actions under the specific programme for RTD relating to "Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base" in the field of raising public awareness of science and technology. The call texts, together with all the documentation necessary to make a proposal, are accessible via: URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/improving(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie) The call relates to proposals with a fixed deadline, following which evaluation will take place. Only proposals submitted before this deadline will be considered under the call notice. Those eligible to participate in indirect RTD actions under the specific programme are invited to submit proposals that address Promoting Scientific and Technological Excellence: Raising Public Awareness of Science and Technology. The objective is to raise public awareness for scientific activities and technological developments, in particular those undertaken in European research programmes, and thereby bridge the gap between science in its European dimension and the public. This should help European citizens to understand better both the beneficial impact of science and technology on their day-to-day lives as well as limitations and possible implications of research and technological developments. The activity will also aim to increase scientists' awareness of issues and subjects that are of concern to the public. Where possible, activities will build on and complement national activities. This call is open for: - Co-operation networks - for exchanging best practice, knowledge and know-how involving, on average, five non-affiliated partners established in at least three Member States or Associated States; at least one of the partners must be established in a Member State; the duration of a co-operation network will be between two and three years. For co-operation networks, the call for proposals is open to proposals from all fields of scientific endeavour. - The organisation of a European Science and Technology Week, which will focus on projects based around naturally occurring events and phenomena that have an impact on our daily lives (for example the Sun, the weather, the seas, etc.) and will demonstrate the role that science has played in understanding these phenomena. Co-operation networks will be financed as thematic networks and the Community funding will normally not exceed 0.02 million euro on average per partner per year. Activities in support of the European Science and Technology Week will be financed as accompanying measures. Potential contractors whose proposals have been retained for funding will be invited to a co-ordination meeting (or meetings) in Brussels before finalization of their contracts in order to agree a mutually binding timetable and other matters associated with the successful implementation of the Week. Where appropriate, additional contracts may be negotiated to ensure adequate coordination between proposals retained for funding. The indicative budget available for this call is 4 million euro. Information on the rules for participation in the Programme and how to prepare and submit proposals is given in the European Commission's Guide for Proposers, which can be obtained, along with the work programme and other information relating to the call, from the address below. For more information, please contact: European Commission Directorate General XII Science, Research, and Development Directorate F (Raising Public Awareness) Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2963270 E-mail: research@ec.europa.eu URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/improving(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)