Internet site to aid participation of associated States in FP5
Following moves by the European Commission to encourage the participation of researchers from the newly associated States (NAS) in EU research projects, the German ministry for education and research has launched an Internet site to facilitate contact between researchers from the NAS and the EU. The site contains two databases. One profiles the consortia interested in integrating new partners into their project, and the other details research institutes or enterprises from candidate countries interested in joining existing projects as new partners. Existing project consortia are able to present their research projects and describe the expertise sought from potential project partners. In the partners database, potential partners are able to present themselves and the expertise they can offer. The launch comes following the Commission announcement of additional funds to integrate new partners into existing projects. Calls have already been published for some of the Fifth Framework Programme's thematic programmes, and others will be launched in the near future. The initiatives aim to encourage participation by researchers from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.