Commission requests benchmarking study of R&D investment fiscal measures
The European Commission's Research DG has announced a call to tender for a study to benchmark fiscal measures for investment in research and development (R&D) and to establish a related Internet-based information system. The purpose of the study will be to identify forms of fiscal measures in use in the EU's Member States and to identify worldwide good practice in their application to promote R&D investment. It is intended that the study will provide an important input to the evaluation of research policy options aimed at promoting more dynamic private investment in the context of the European research area (ERA) initiative. It is expected that the tasks relating to the benchmarking exercise will account for at least four fifths of the work and that the tasks relating to the information system will account for not more than one fifth of the work. The staff proposed to undertake the work should include experience in both policy benchmarking and fiscal measures. In addition, taking account of the scientific importance of the contract, tenderers should demonstrate the ability to draw on leading international sources of knowledge and expertise in fiscal matters and policy benchmarking. The geographical basis to which the performance of the tasks should refer includes, for the information system, all Member States of the European Union and, for the benchmarking exercise, all EU Member States and in addition other OECD countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. It is estimated that a maximum of 350,000 euro will be available for the contract.For further information, please contact: European Commission Directorate-General Research Attn: Mr Sean O'Reagain Directorate B, Unit 3 rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200 B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-299 1942