Commission publishes horizontal research call for SMEs
The European Commission has published a call for proposals for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) wishing to pursue horizontal research activities. This is one of the areas covered by the 'Integrating and strengthening the foundations of the European Research Area' pillar of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The call is divided into two annexes: - Cooperative research projects (CRAFT): this instrument provides support to SMEs with a capacity to innovate but without their own research facilities. It allows a number of SMEs from different countries with particular R&D problems or needs to assign a significant part of the research activities to R&D 'performers', such as universities and research centres. This call covers any subject across the whole field of science and technology specified by Article 163 of the EC Treaty. (Total indicative budget - 75 million euro); - Collective research projects: collective research is a type of research carried out by R&D performers (for example, research centres, universities, etc.) on behalf of industrial associations or groupings in order to expand the knowledge base and improve the overall competitiveness of large communities of SMEs. This call covers any subject across the whole field of science and technology specified by Article 163 of the EC Treaty. (Total indicative budget - 65 million euro);To see the call text, please visit: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=189(opens in new window) http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=190(opens in new window)