Calling Innovative SMEs...

The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals under its Fifth Framework Programme's activity for the 'promotion of innovation and encouragement of SMEs.' Those eligible to participate in indirect RTD actions under the specific programme are invited to submit p...

The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals under its Fifth Framework Programme's activity for the 'promotion of innovation and encouragement of SMEs.'

Those eligible to participate in indirect RTD actions under the specific programme are invited to submit proposals on mechanisms to facilitate the setting up and development of innovative firms.

The call for proposals covers separate actions and sub-actions.

- Thematic networks of economic areas of excellence to stimulate the exchange of information, good practices and competencies on the creation and development of innovative start up firms.

- Cross-border RTD projects to validate and disseminate instruments and approaches to innovative enterprise creation and development.
- - Transfer of successful existing support schemes to Newly Associated Countries (NACs);
- - Design and implementation of new concepts to stimulate the creation of innovative start-ups.

- Accompanying Measures to include one of the following:
- - Interaction and management of the thematic networks and projects, in order to organise the activities of information, the dissemination and exchange of experiences and communication;
- - Innovation policy interface for the extraction of lessons from the thematic networks and projects;
- - Creation of a European network of start-up representatives and a European network of start-up service providers.

Each proposal must address only one of the above-mentioned actions and sub-actions, which should be clearly identified.

The indicative budget available for this call is 16 million euro.
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 using one of the following addresses:

European Commission
Innovation & SMEs Information Desk
DG ENTERPRISE
Office EUFO 2/286
Rue Alcide de Gasperi
L-2920 LUXEMBOURG
E-mail: [e-mail]
Fax [phone]
http://cordis.europa.eu/innovation-smes/calls/200101.htm