New FP5 services attract new users to CORDIS on the web
The publication of the first calls for proposals for the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) during March sparked off a huge increase in interest in the CORDIS Web service. The calls have prompted the number of visitors to the site to almost double. It has also prompted many users to exploit the site more fully than before, taking advantage of new services that make it easier for research groups to identify those parts of FP5 of interest to them and to make proposals. During March, the increase in users visiting the part of the CORDIS Web service dealing with FP5 raised the monthly average number of users from 70,000 to 134,000. The number of Web pages displayed to users also jumped sharply. Meanwhile, the number of documents downloaded from the site increased by over 500 per cent. Many research groups are now relying on the CORDIS web site - enhanced with its new services - as a one-stop shop for news and reference materials on FP5. The new services include guides for proposers to each call for proposals, reference materials describing the content of FP5 and a distinct area of information and advice covering each of the thematic and horizontal programmes in FP5. There are also copies of essential forms and a software tool (ProTool), which helps applicants complete their proposals. Gateways to the new services on the CORDIS site dealing with FP5 are grouped together on a new web page at: URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5 Users chose to download a wide variety of documents ranging from background legislation through work programmes to the new manual describing how proposals will be evaluated. Formally adopted on 22 December 1998, FP5 is now fully underway. Corresponding work programmes and several calls for proposals have since been adopted and published for all programmes. CORDIS has a longstanding history of intensive use by potential participants in the European Union's Framework Programmes for research and development. During its 10-year history, CORDIS has established itself as one of the most popular web services among scientists and engineers searching for information on research and development. However, recent additions to the web service strengthen and vindicate CORDIS's objective to be a one-stop shop for the European research and development community. Ever-growing interest in the web service can be explained by two important factors: - CORDIS provides free and direct access to relevant R&D information from the European Commission with daily updates on news, programmes and project information; - CORDIS has developed specific service pages to complement core information on European programmes. The CORDIS FP5 Web service illustrates this two-fold mission by facilitating access to information that can help the business and research communities to participate in, and benefit from, FP5. CORDIS offers a complete set of information specifically catering for the FP5's goals. Quick reference guides are available to provide key information. In addition, a number of services and information sources can also be found on this Web service. These may be useful in partner searches for participation in each programme, as well as a list of organizations that have already expressed an interest in participating. And the number of visitors to CORDIS looks set to increase again in the coming months, for the same reason. CORDIS has responded to the new challenges requiring timely information in the dynamic R&D environment. Further, more improvements are to be unveiled during the course of the year to meet users' needs.