Studies on the orientations of European science and technology policy
In the framework of the preparation of new programmes, the coordination of national policies and their coordination with Community policies, the European Commission (DG XII) has published a call for tenders for the following studies: - Technology foresight: Perspectives for European and international cooperation: This study refers to the procedures and mechanisms for the systematic identification of technologies which are designed to throw light on the science and technology agenda and which generally encompass all scientific and technological domains in relation to overall socio-economic developments. The objectives of this study are to: . Review national technology foresight activities; . Analyse the developments of international cooperation in this area; . Investigate the potential added-value which might be derived from a European technology foresight activity, for the development of European RTD policy in particular. - Methods and approaches for the definition of research budgets: The objective of this study is to perform a critical comparative examination of the mechanisms and processes by means of which priorities are set and decisions are taken at national level concerning RTD budgets, taking into account several qualitative and quantitative factors and indicators concerning the organization and structure of RTD systems at national level. - Typology of partnerships established in the European research and innovation system: The aim of this study is to establish a typology of, and to analyse the various forms of, partnerships established within the European research and innovation system, with the aim of assessing their efficiency in terms of economic return and their contribution to industrial competitiveness. The scope of this study is intended to be broad, covering partnerships established under regional, national and international cooperative frameworks. - Indirect schemes and mechanisms for supporting RTD in companies: The objective of this study is to review critically the various schemes of an indirect nature for supporting RTD in companies (e.g. fiscal mechanisms and/or R&D labour-cost subsidies) in the Member States. Their effectiveness in increasing R&D effort by the participating companies would be measured not only in economic terms but also as regards the degree of participation in the scheme, the increased number of researchers employed, and other such effects. - Technology management in enterprises/regional administrations in less-favoured regions of the European Union: The objective of this study is to establish a better understanding of the dynamics of introducing technology management concepts, strategies and practices into enterprises/regional administrations in less-favoured regions. It is intended that this will be an action research project involving the development and delivery of technology management modules to a selection of companies. It would go on to identify the problems and possibilities associated with this type of intervention with the intention of disseminating the findings to policy makers; - RTD strategies of the top 500 European industrial companies and their participation in the Framework Programme and Eureka: The aim of this study is to investigate the RTD linkages of the largest European industrial companies, their RTD strategies and the nature and extent of the interaction of these strategies with Community research programmes and Eureka. A similar analysis would have to be conducted on the research strategies of the top 50 European service sector companies. - The role of technology platforms in generic technology diffusion: The term "technology platform" is used to describe a package of technologies which together provide a functional element of potential use in a range of products and processes. The aim of this study is to examine the role of technology platforms as regards the effective utilization and diffusion of technologies within industrial organizations and within the economy at large. This would serve as an input to the design of RTD programmes relating to generic technologies which are emphasized in current Community RTD policy. It would involve a series of case-studies. - Multimedia: Traditional approaches to the phenomenon of multimedia tend to concentrate on tools and technologies rather than social, cultural and political aspects. This study should contribute to the development of a better understanding of the potential interactions between multimedia technologies, information networks and societal developments. The objective is to formulate recommendations, in particular for R&D policy, aimed at improving the social direction of the use of multimedia. The analysis would therefore consider social and psychological, as well as economic, strategic and politico-institutional, aspects. - The ecological transition in the production and use of energy: This study is concerned with the changes and developments which are needed, and which could be promoted, in the clusters of industries involved in the production and use of energy, from resource inputs to the various final outputs (in "filieres techno-energetiques"), to allow transition to a sustainable energy system over the next 40 to 69 years. These changes and developments would be considered from the point of view of players and institutional structures, as well as infrastructure and technologies, in a European and global context. This study would also involve a general analysis of the concept of ecological transition, together with the identification of the potential contribution of different modes of social organization for the solution of environmental problems. - The ecological transition in the chemical industry: This study is concerned with the question of how to maximize the contribution of the chemicals sector to meeting the challenge of sustainable development, which has been highlighted by various bodies, notably in the Commission's White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment. The study would analyse the possible scenarios for the evolution of the chemical sector in Europe and make appropriate recommendations with respect to R&D requirements. Tenders may be submitted individually or jointly by individuals or organizations. If a joint tender is submitted one person or organization must be designated as the lead contractor and agent responsible. Requests for documentation and submission of tenders to: European Commission Directorate-General for Science, Research and Development Directorate A "RTD Actions: Strategy and Accompanying Measures" Attn. Mr. Bruno Schmitz or Mr. Peter Fisch 200 rue de la Loi B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2994740; Fax +32-2-2963193