Call for proposals for the specific programme for biotechnology
Following the Decision by Parliament and Council adopting the Fourth Framework Programme of European Community activities in the field of research and technological development and demonstration (1994 to 1998) (Decision 1110/94/EC of 26.4.1994; OJ No L 126 of 18.5.1994) and the Council Decision on the specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration, in the field of biotechnology, the Commission of the European Communities is inviting proposals for research and technological development and demonstration (RTD) projects, for concerted actions and for preparatory awards. In conformity with Article 5.1 of the Decision on the specific programme, a work programme has been drawn up setting out the detailed objectives and types of projects to be undertaken, and the financial arrangements to be made for them. Consortia of organizations eligible to participate in the programme (universities, research centres and industries, including SMEs) are invited to submit proposals for the areas and topics covered by the work programme set out below. The research areas and topics will be addressed, in general, in shared-cost RTD projects, in conformity with the rules for implementation set out in Annex III of the Decision on the specific programme. The Community's contribution to shared-cost RTD projects will normally not exceed 50% of the total costs, with progressively lower participation the nearer the project is to the market place. Those universities and other institutions which do not have analytical budget accountancy will be reimbursed on the basis of 100% of the additional costs. As a general rule, projects should involve at least two independent participants from different Member States or from one Member State and one Associated State. Proposals for RTD projects, for concerted actions or preparatory awards for the first call for proposals must arrive at the Commission by 24 March 1995 (12.00). Information given to the Commission relating to the proposal application or the contract will be treated in confidence. Detailed information about procedures for the submission of proposals (information package) and the contract that will be established with successful proposers is available on request from the Commission's services. Descriptions of work undertaken in earlier and related programmes are also available on request. The outline work programme for this call for proposals is as follows: Area 1: Cell factories: 1.1. Biological components of cell factories; 1.2. Biochemical engineering components of cell factories; Area 2: Genome analysis: 2.2. Function search; 2.3. In silico (computer-based) comparative analysis; Area 3: Plant and animal biotechnology: 3.2.1. Genome mapping and improvement of farm animal selection; 3.2.3. Somatic gene therapy; Area 5: Immunology and transdisease vaccinology: 5.1. Immunology and immunotechnology; Area 8: Infrastructures: 8.1.1. Information resources on molecular sequences and structures; 8.1.2. Taxonomic information and storage databases; 8.1.4. Horizontal information resources: literature, databases of directories; 8.2. Genetic archives and stock centres; 8.3. Assessment of infrastructures. Horizontal activities: - Demonstration activities related to the abovementioned subjects; - Public perception (concerted actions). For the areas and subjects which follow, the present call allows for the submission of proposals only for preparatory awards (in view of demonstration projects or to help SME participation): Area 2: Genome analysis: 2.1. Sequencing; Area 3: Plant and animal biotechnology: 3.1. Plant molecular and cellular biology; 3.2.2. Animal models; Area 4: Cell communication in neurosciences: 4.1. Development of the nervous system; 4.2. Regeneration of the nervous system; 4.3. Degeneration and apoptosis in the nervous cells; 4.4. Management of information by the nervous cells; 4.5. Cell-to-cell communication in the nervous system; Area 5: Immunology and transdisease vaccinology: 5.2. Transdisease vaccinology; Area 6: Structural biology: 6.1. Structure-function relationships; 6.2. Interface of structural biology with electronics; Area 7: Pre-normative research, biodiversity and social acceptance: 7.1. Pre-normative research: in vitro alternatives to animal experiments in pharmaco-toxicology; 7.2. Prenormative research: biosafety; 7.3. Prenormative research: biotechnology for the environment; 7.4. Biodiversity; Area 8: Infrastructures: 8.1.3. A European network of bioinformatic nodes. All correspondence concerning this call should be sent to: European Commission DG XII/E-1 Biotechnology 75 rue Montoyer B-1040 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2962229; Fax +32-2-2955365; Telex COMEU B 21877