Commission proposes new FP6 Informatics System
The European Commission has published proposals for new informatics system, designed to administer and communicate the Sixth Framework programme (FP6). The most advanced web-based technology available will be used to enable proposers and project participants to communicate with the Commission electronically. The directorates-general involved in research and FP6 say that they have agreed to produce this common informatics system to make communication with the Commission more transparent and rapid. Given the interest of the research community, the scale of the task and the short time scale within which it must be achieved, the Commission has decided to publish its plans for IT developments, except where these relate to security. It stresses, however, that these plans are subject to an 'ongoing political process for the adoption of FP6, its associated specific programmes and the rules for participation'. This political process may involve changes to the proposed system but the Commission will update the relevant website if and when such changes are made.