DELTA call for proposals
Within the specific programme of research and technological development in the field of telematic systems in areas of general interest (1990-1994), the Commission of the European Communities issues a call for proposals concerning Area 4: RTD in flexible and distance learning. Proposals should aim to validate the prototypes and other research results that have emerged from recent DELTA activities. These will be tested through pilot projects, in a real training environment, in order to assess the user's reaction to the technology-based system and provide feedback to the developers. Eligible consortia are invited to address the following topics: - Topic 4.1: The integration and validation of RTD results emerging from DELTA projects. Proposed work should cover the domains of design and production of training material, production of services to support delivery of training, access to databases of training resources. Work may encompass results coming from related projects in the Member States; - Topic 4.2: The interoperability and management of training delivery networks. Proposals should address the various interoperability and network management issues needed to allow for the efficient implementation of European-wide telematic infrastructures for flexible and distance learning. The topic also encompasses the integration, testing and validation of prototypes, based on current work in DELTA, on a common training architecture. Research activity should build on the experience gained from current pilot experiments or related projects in the Member States, not necessarily part of DELTA; - Topic 4.3: The extension or strengthening of ongoing DELTA projects. Work proposed should prove that additional resources will lead to significantly higher validation levels. Retained proposals under 4.3 can normally expect contracts and funding only in 1994 and subject to a favourable opinion at the autumn 1993 technical audit. It is required that the research projects demonstrate via practical solutions the socioeconomic acceptance of their approaches; user acceptance, cost effectiveness, pedagogical effectiveness and compliance with current standardization or harmonization activities in Europe. The total Community contribution is expected to be (in the region of) ECU 4 million for topics 4.1 and 4.2 and ECU 2 million for topic 4.3. One or more of the above topics may be addressed. Proposals, including a number of details as required in the call, must be sent by mail to: Commission of the European Communities Directorate-General XIII Telematics Systems Proposals Office BU29 200 rue de la Loi 1049 Brussels Correspondence concerning any DELTA topic must be directed to: Commission of the European Communities Directorate-General XIII, Direction C: Flexible and Distance Learning Telematics Systems Proposals Office (BU29 4/05) 200 rue de la Loi B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2963416; Fax +32-2-2962392