Why http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5 is so popular

Potential participants in the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) have been flooding in to the CORDIS Web service as they prepare proposals. Many have been downloading files to their own computers from the FP5 Web service, which registered a 566% increase in file retrieval during ...

Potential participants in the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) have been flooding in to the CORDIS Web service as they prepare proposals. Many have been downloading files to their own computers from the FP5 Web service, which registered a 566% increase in file retrieval during March.

Among the most popular areas are the programme web services. There is a distinct service for each of the horizontal and thematic programmes in FP5 and each acts as a gateway, providing all relevant documents - ranging from background legal texts through work programmes to the texts of calls for proposals which have been issued. All the programme services can be accessed from the web page at:

URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5/src/programmes.htm

As potential applicants work through the stages of preparation ahead of submitting a proposal, they will find all the support and documentation they need in the FP5 Web service.

First for many users has come the work programmes. One has been drawn up for each individual programme, describing the areas of research to be funded and the different kinds of activity, which will be eligible for the funding. Useful details found in the work programme include an indicative "roadmap" which timetables the calls for proposals over the lifetime of the programme. All work programmes can be found at:

URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5/src/workprog.htm

The next step is to consider the Guide for Proposers, which again has been prepared for each specific programme to provide assistance. Each Guide for Proposers has two parts:

- Part one is applicable to all calls for proposals under the relevant programme. It describes the overall priorities, goals and structures of FP5 and of the specific programme. Additionally, it outlines the main rules and conditions for participation. This service can be accessed at:

URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5/src/guide1.htm

- Part two is call-specific and is tailored to the needs of each individual call for proposals. Visit this service at:

URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5/src/calls.htm

The Evaluation Manual provides the ground rules or guidelines for the evaluation of proposals for European Community-funded projects, taking the basic principles of quality, transparency, equality of treatment, impartiality and efficiency into consideration. To help the potential participant, each specific programme has a short annex. This annex sets out how it intends to apply the guidelines. The Evaluation Manual is available on FP5 Web Service at:

URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5/src/evalman.htm

Other useful services on the CORDIS FP5 Web service are:

- The partner searching facility at:

URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp5/src/eoi.htm

- The central contact points, providing contact details for the Commission Info Desk;
- National Contact Points;
- SME National Contact Points;
- Innovation Relay Centre.