Commission outlines intended support for research infrastructures in FP6
The European Commission has produced a working document outlining the proposals for supporting research infrastructures in the Sixth Framework programme (FP6), and is inviting comments on the proposals. The paper relates to support for research infrastructures in the specific programme 'Structuring the European research area [ERA]', part of FP6. The term 'research infrastructures' refers to facilities and resources that provide services to the research community in both academic and industrial domains. Recognising the dependency of scientists on research infrastructures, the document states that 'The ability of Europe's research teams to remain at the forefront of their field of science and technology depends on their being supported by state of the art infrastructures.' The Commission proposes that five schemes for support be implemented: transnational access, integrated infrastructure initiatives, communication network development, design studies and the construction of new infrastructures. Transnational access will involve sponsoring new opportunities for research teams to gain access to individual major research infrastructures required for their work. Community support will cover up to 100 per cent of the costs involved in providing access to an infrastructure for research teams working in a Member State or Associated State other than that where the operator of the infrastructure is located. A list of selected infrastructures will be published on the Internet on the research infrastructures site. The objective of integrated infrastructure initiatives (I3) is to support the integrated provision of infrastructure-related services to the research community at a European level. It is also envisaged as having a structuring effect on the fabric of European research by promoting a coherent use and development of infrastructures as well as an integrating effect on the way research infrastructures operate, evolve and interact with similar infrastructures and their users. I3 is therefore expected to contribute to the structuring of ERA. The initiatives will cover networking activities, provision of access to transnational users and joint research activities. The communication network development initiative will support existing research infrastructures in conjunction with the priority thematic area 'information society technologies'. A denser network between related initiatives will be established, in particular through GEANT, a high capacity and high speed communications network for all researchers in Europe, and high performance grids and test beds. The objective of design studies is to contribute to feasibility studies and technical preparatory work concerning new infrastructures of European significance, which may be undertaken by one or a number of national or international authorities. Finally, the construction of new infrastructures will provide support for the optimisation of key new infrastructures of Europe-wide interest. Existing infrastructures may also be upgraded under this initiative, when this would present a viable alternative to the construction of a new infrastructure. The Commission hopes to enhance and improve the attractiveness of Europe's research community through this initiative.