Call for proposals for the specific programme for information technologies
By the Decision of 26 April 1994, the European Parliament and the Council adopted the Fourth Framework Programme of European Community activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) for the period 1994 to 1998. Thereafter, the Council agreed, on 23 November 1994, on the specific programme for research and technological development, including demonstration, in the field of information technologies. In conformity with Article 5 of the Decision on the specific programme, a work programme was drawn up setting out the detailed objectives and types of projects to be undertaken. Organizations eligible to participate in the programme are invited to submit proposals for the areas and topics covered by those parts of the work programme set out below. The research domains and tasks will be addressed, in general, in shared-cost research and technological development (RTD) projects, in conformity with the rules for implementation set out in Annex III to the Decision. In addition, accompanying measures and concerted actions supporting the objectives of the work programme may be undertaken. Detailed information about procedures and eligibility for the submission of proposals, the contract established with successful proposers, the work programme, and about background material to the work programme is given in the information package which can be obtained from the Commission services. The information package contains an information request form through which specific documentation, if needed, may be obtained. Descriptions of work undertaken in earlier and related programmes can also be obtained on request. - Focus of the current call: The current call is the second in a series of focused calls published on the fixed dates 15 March, 15 June, 15 September, 15 December. A guide to future calls is included with the information package. This guide is indicative and helps proposers plan ahead and Commission services coordinate with other related Fourth Framework Programmes. The following is the list of domain-specific tasks being called. Each task is identified by the number assigned to it in the work programme. - Software technologies (ST): . Software Best Practice: 1.27* 1.28* 1.29* 1.30*; - Technologies for Components and Subsystems (TCS): . Semiconductors: - Microelectronics for product innovation: chips and multichip modules: 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4; - Building blocks, methods and tools for semiconductor applications and technologies: 2.6 2.8; - Enhancement of technology and manufacturing base: 2.13 2.14 2.15; . Microsystems: 2.16 (coordinated with the IMT programme); . Peripherals: 2.22 2.23 2.24; . Basic services and first users' actions: 2.26*; - Long Term Research (LTR): . Reactiveness to Industrial Needs: 4.2; - High Performance Computing and Networking (HPCN) (Focused Cluster): . Embedded Systems: 6.4 6.5 6.6; . Software and Systems Technology: 6.10; . Parallel Computing Initiative: 6.15*; . Development of the HPCN infrastructure: 6.16*; . Education and Training: 6.17*; - Technologies for Business Processes (TBP) (Focused Cluster): . Dissemination and Technology Transfer: 7.8*. The work programme task numbers marked with an asterisk are being called as specific accompanying measures (please see information package). - Procedures: . One-step evaluation: Evaluation of proposals submitted in the domains of Software Technologies, Technologies for Components, and Subsystems, Microsystems and Peripherals, and Technologies for Business Processes will be carried out in one step. This requires the submission of a full proposal as described in the information package. The proposal must arrive at the Commission not later than 15 June 1995 (17.00) (Brussels local time); . Two-step evaluation: Evaluation of proposals submitted to the domains High Performance Computing & Networking and Long Term Research (under the reactive scheme) will be carried out in two steps. For the first step a light proposal, as described in the information package, must arrive at the Commission not later than 20 April 1995 (17.00) (Brussels local time). Following evaluation and selection, successful proposers will be invited to submit a full proposal with a deadline two months after the invitation is issued. - Continuous submissions: In the call published on 15 December 1994 (OJ No C 357, p. 9), invitations for continual submissions for certain actions were announced. These related to open LTR projects (task 4.1); accompanying measures (e.g. networks of excellence, working and user groups, demonstration, projects, training, etc., but not accompanying measures specifically described as tasks in the work programme); and SME exploratory awards. Proposals may continue to be submitted at any time up to 15 February 1996. - Budgetary allocation: The indicative budgetary allocation for this call in terms of millions of ECUs of Community contribution is as follows: ST: 30; TCS: 35; LTR: 10; HPCN: 25; TBP: 12. - Deadlines: All proposals must arrive before the abovementioned deadlines at the address given in the information package. The final date for schemes under which proposals may continually be submitted may change in future calls. All correspondence concerning this call should be sent to: European Commission Directorate-General for Industry (DG III) IT Programme Office 200 rue de la Loi B-1049 Brussels or using e-mail to: E-mail: infodesk@dg13.cec.be The work programme and information package are also available via World Wide Web on the following servers: http://www.ecrc.de/ and http://cordis.europa.eu/