Scientific cooperation with Australia extended
Australian researchers will shortly be able to participate in projects under all the thematic programmes of the Fifth Framework Programme, following the conclusion of an amendment to the EC-Australia Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. The original agreement, signed in 1994, limited research cooperation to specific areas, but following experience with the Fourth Framework Programme, the amendment extends cooperation opportunities to all the thematic programmes of FP5. Likewise EU researchers have the opportunity to participate in corresponding Australian programmes. All such cooperation will take place however, on the basis that each party pays the costs of its own participation, with no EU money going to Australian researchers or Australian money to EU researchers. The amendment to the Agreement was signed on 8 July in Brussels, and the procedures for its conclusion - from the EU's side have now been concluded. The Australian procedures are expected to be concluded in September this year, allowing the Agreement to enter into force shortly after that. The agreement is open-ended, and is not, therefore, limited to the duration of FP5.
Kraje
Australia