Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base
The European Commission has announced a call for proposals for indirect RTD actions under the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base raising public awareness of science and technology. This 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 hereby invited to submit proposals that address the following parts of the work programme: - Promoting scientific and technological excellence: raising public awareness of science and technology The objective is to raise public awareness for scientific activities and technological developments, in particular those undertaken in European research programmes, and thereby bridge the gap between science in its European dimension and the public. This should help European citizens to understand better both the beneficial impact of science and technology on their day-to-day lives as well as limitations and possible implications of research and technological developments. The activity will also aim to increase scientists' awareness of issues and subjects that are of concern to the public. Where possible, activities will build on and complement national activities. This call is open for: - Proposals for thematic networks for the exchange of experience, knowledge, know-how or best practice. (Duration of networks should be between two to three years). Preference will be given to networks involving at least five non-affiliated partners established in at least three Member States or Associated States; at least one of the partners must be established in a Member State. - Proposals for accompanying measures for testing of best practice, demonstration of new approaches, analysis of methodologies, and in the case of the European Science and Technology Week (see below) the direct demonstration of S&T to the public. Preference will be given to accompanying measures involving at least three mutually independent partners from at least three different Member States or Associated States; at least one of the partners must be established in a Member State. Accompanying measures involving fewer partners may qualify for support if they promise to produce transferable results that could be used by actors not involved in the respective project. Proposals must cover one or more of the following areas: - Dialogue with the public: Objective: To explore mechanisms for involving the public in science policy related debates in order to identify ways experience could be shared and generalised across Europe. Proposals may draw on experience with initiatives executed at the local or national level for example: Deliberative polling Standing consultative panels Focus groups Citizens' juries Consensus conferences Stakeholder dialogues Internet dialogues. A proposal can cover any field or fields of scientific endeavour, including the social and economic sciences, but must be directly related to the interests of a non-specialist public. - The role of the Media and Science Communicators. Objective: To appraise the mechanisms and channels through which the general public, and the young in particular, is exposed to science related information; to identify best practice and develop and demonstrate new approaches for improving the communication of science related information. The non-specialist press, television, the Internet, science museums and science centres are the main foci of interest. Particular attention should be paid to factors within the professions involved (- scientists, science communicators and commentators, science journalists and science writers, science policy makers -) that shape perceptions of science and its role in society. - European Science and Technology Week 2002 Objective: To demonstrate and explain the impact of science, its use, and its applications on the daily lives of European citizens in a manner accessible to them. Proposals can be made in any field or fields of scientific endeavour including the social and economic sciences but must demonstrate the benefits of action at the European level. Proposals could involve: - the culmination at the European level of activities initiated at the national level across Europe (for example, collaborative projects, competitions). - the launch of events or activities that are subsequently carried out at the national level (for example, science exhibitions, videos, programmes...). - the launch of essentially European events or activities that have no clear national forum or whose potential can be better developed on a trans-national level. - activities for complementing the Commission's own initiatives for familiarizing European citizens with the objectives of Community research programmes. The indicative total budget available for this call is EUR 4 million of Community contribution.For further information, please contact: European Commission Directorate General Research Directorate C - European Research Area: Science and Society Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200 B-1049 Brussels Belgium Fax: +32 2 296 32 70 E-mail: improving@ec.europa.eu Or consult the following web address: URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/improving(opens in new window)