Innovation-SMEs programme calls for proposals
The European Commission has published the latest call for proposals for the Fifth Framework programme's 'Promotion of innovation and encouragement of SME participation' programme. The call relates to proposals called by a fixed deadline following which evaluation will take place. Those eligible to participate in indirect RTD actions under the specific programme are invited to submit proposals addressing awareness and assistance actions in the fields of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and LIFT-Linking Innovation, Finance and Technology (Accompanying Measures). The current call for proposals covers three separate actions: - The Intellectual property rights help desk: (indicative budget 4.5 million euro): an IPR Helpdesk to provide the RTD community with assistance in the field of the Community rules of dissemination and protection of RTD results and to raise awareness on IPR issues related to transnational research projects. - The National Patent Offices (indicative budget 3.5 million euro): pilot actions to support the exchange between National Patent Offices (NPO), their partners and innovators of experiences and best practices on awareness raising and promotion of innovation. - The LIFT Helpdesk (indicative budget 4 million euro): one central LIFT Helpdesk (Linking Innovation, Finance and Technology) to provide efficient information, promotion and networking facilities at transnational level, in support of Innovation Finance Assistance Measures at local or regional level which help potential business developers to identify and secure transnational investment/finance. The total indicative budget available for this call is 12 million euro of Community contribution from the specific programme. Each proposal must address only one of the three above mentioned actions and clearly identify which. Proposals are invited to be submitted in one step. Information on these rules and on how to prepare and submit proposals is given in the Guide for Proposers, which can be obtained, along with the work programme and other information relating to this call, from the European Commission at: European Commission Innovation Help Desk DG ENTR C4 office EUFO 2286 Rue Alcide de Gasperi L-2920 Luxembourg Fax: +352/4301 32084 E-mail: ENTR-FMB-INNOVATION-POLICY-INFODESK@ec.europa.eu URL:http://cordis.europa.eu/innovation-smes/src/cec-cont.htm