Call for proposals for the specific programme for telematics applications of common interest

The European Commission, DG XIII, has published its first call for proposals for the specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration, in the field of telematics applications of common interest (1994-1998): The new Telematics Applications...

The European Commission, DG XIII, has published its first call for proposals for the specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration, in the field of telematics applications of common interest (1994-1998):

The new Telematics Applications programme was launched on 23 November 1994 as a specific programme of the Fourth Framework Programme (OJ No L 126 of 18.5.1994). The programme runs from 1994 until 1998, and will fund research and technological development and demonstrations of applications using information and communications technologies in four areas covering 13 different sectors of common interest. In addition, programme support actions addressing issues common to all the sectors will be funded.

In the different sectors of the programme, the efficiency and quality of the services traditionally provided to the public could potentially be improved through the introduction or development of telematics-based systems and services. This new programme aims to build on the research already done in sectors such as transport, health, education and libraries. It will focus on how emerging technologies, many of which are multimedia-based, could be configured and adapted through projects into useful, user-friendly and cost-effective applications. Such applications would offer realistic solutions to basic problems and needs experienced by companies, institutions and the citizen.

This approach means that in all projects the full involvement of users at all phases of a project is necessary. An approach based on cooperation between users and suppliers for mutual benefit will underpin the selection of projects.

The typical life-cycle of a project in the programme will have five phases:

1. Identification of user needs;
2. Translation of user needs into functional specifications;
3. Building a demonstrator;
4. Validation with users in a real-life situation;
5. Exploitation plan.

A proposal can enter the programme at any of the first four phases, provided the previous phases have been satisfactorily completed. Support actions need not follow this life-cycle.

A key feature of the Telematics Applications programme will be the emphasis on maximizing the use of generic technologies to achieve cost-effective solutions.

The programme welcomes cross-sectoral projects, and in particular those which undertake the validation of applications from a number of different sectors. Such proposals will receive favourable attention at the evaluation stage.

Consortia of organizations are invited to submit proposals for RTD projects and support actions which follow this approach for the sectors listed below. The total funding for projects across all the sectors concerned is likely to be in the region of ECU 371 million and will generally be made available on a cost-shared basis, with funding up to 50%, or on a 100% additional costs basis. In the case of support actions, funding may be up to 100% of the actual costs.

Full details of the tasks and the eligibility, evaluation and selection criteria are included in the information package, which describes how to make:

- A full, formal proposal for submission by 15 March 1995;
- An optional outline proposal, which may be submitted by 31 January 1995 for pre-screening and consultation involving the Commission services, if so desired by the proposers.

The Commission services may reject a proposal which does not follow the procedures outlined in the information package, conform to the eligibility criteria, or is received after the deadline of 15 March 1995. Potential proposers are strongly advised to obtain all necessary information before making a proposal.

Sectors open for proposals (with indicative budget (in ECU million) in parentheses):

Administrations (25), Transport (117), Research (26), Education and training (34), Urban and rural areas (25), Healthcare (70), Environment (15), Language engineering (23), Programme support actions (21), and specific measures for SMEs (15).
A detailed description of the objectives, approach, methodology and tasks is contained in the work programme of the Telematics Applications programme. The information package, the work programme and further details about how to make a proposal can be obtained from:

European Commission
Telematics Applications Programme
Proposals Office
Avenue de Beaulieu 29 (BU-29 4/41)
B-1160 Brussels
Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]