Commission calls for economic and technological intelligence
The European Commission has announced a call for proposals for accompanying measures (indirect RTD actions) launched by the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on promotion of innovation and encouragement of SME participation (1998-2002). This programme forms part of the European Commission's Fifth Framework Programme for Research, Technological development and Demonstration. The call identifier is SME 1999/2. The work programme and all the information necessary to submit a proposal is available from: URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/sme The call opens up the part of the work programme related to economic and technological intelligence. This is a continuously open call for proposals until 1 July 2002. Proposals will be evaluated in batches, with the first cut-off date on 2 July 1999. The call is aimed at identifying SME needs and anticipating market and technological trends. Accompanying measures can be awarded to existing information networks and intermediaries to make proposals providing SMEs with information and assistance to help them meet their needs and to direct them to the most suitable community or other instruments. In this context, mainly the network of 'SME' National Contact Points, but also the transnational networks of industrial federations and regional development agencies, will be offered the opportunity to present proposals for targeted information and assistance actions. These actions may include transnational training activities and exchange of best practices. Other EU support networks (e.g. Innovation Relay Centres, European Information Centres and associations of research performers) may propose general information and awareness campaigns. Such proposals should always involve organizations from at least two Member States or one Member State and an Associate State. The indicative budget for this call is 29.3 million euro (with 1 million euro for general information, and 28.3 million euro for targeted information and assistance). For further information, please contact: SME Help-Desk European Commission Directorate General for Science, Research and Development Square de Meeûs 8 B-1050 Brussels Fax +32-2-2957110