FP6 should encourage small projects and SME participation, says Bulgaria
Smaller projects involving small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) should be carried out under the Sixth Framework programme (FP6), according to the Bulgarian position paper on the Commission's proposals for the next research Framework programme. The paper was sent along with a letter to Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin and director-general of Research DG, Achilleas Mitsos, thanking the Commission for including the candidate countries in discussions on FP6. The position paper welcomes the Commission's proposals and highlights areas which Bulgaria sees as particularly important, namely the sections relating to enlargement and regional development. It also makes a few of its own proposals. The Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science recommends an increase in SME (small and medium enterprises) and young scientist participation, more funding for smaller and risky projects, faster evaluation of smaller projects, harmonisation of tax and labour legislation and certificate recognition between Member States and candidate countries. It also called for the development of a faster and simpler European patent system and the prioritisation of plant biotechnology under the thematic heading 'genomics and biotechnology for health'. The document argues that smaller projects should be encouraged as SMEs are not responding to the goals of big projects. Projects should also be initiated from the bottom up. The paper follows a positive response to the proposals on the European research area (ERA) published in July and the approval of national scientific programmes for research and technological development by the Bulgarian government, also in July 2001.