Accompanying measures for French competitiveness clusters
François Loos, French Minister Delegate for Industry, has invited competitiveness clusters to submit proposals for funding under the 'competitiveness funds for business' initiative of the French Directorate-General for Enterprise (DGE). Mr Loos has 40 million euro to award. Projects have already started in several key domains: - Health projects aimed at developing vaccines for avian influenza and hepatitis C, new tools for gastric surgery, and two projects on research against cancer - Information and communication technology (ICT) projects on the development of a digital TV system for mobile terminals, and other projects focused on new technical and functional textiles, the improvement of the reliability of plastic injection processes and the design of new environmentally friendly chemical processes. During 2006, new research projects will be selected. The DGE, in cooperation with local institutions, will make available at least 40 million euro in addition for accompanying measures for selected projects. The eligibility of projects will be based on the following criteria: expected impact in terms of added value, economic activity and job creation; innovative technological content; and the development of new products and services that could be on the market in the mid-term. The projects need to be backed by the approval of the cluster; projects forming a core part of the cluster's development strategy will have a higher chance of funding. The first grants will be awarded by summer 2006. Complementary budgets will be devoted to the support of research by the clusters, in particular for projects within the framework of EUREKA. Finally, the DGE will mobilise, in 2006, at least another 20 million euro to accompany the clusters in their SME network activities. The deadline for applications is 15 February 2006.
Countries
France