UK position paper on Fifth RTD Framework Programme
The United Kingdom government has published its initial position paper on the Community's Fifth RTD Framework Programme, which should run from 1999 to 2003. The position paper is a response to Commissioner Edith Cresson's request for Member States' first thoughts on priority themes for the Fifth Framework Programme. The Commission itself is expected to produce its initial position paper in the summer of 1996. The UK paper states that the Fifth Framework Programme should be more clearly focused on research in support of the overall aims of enhanced competitiveness and support for Community policies, including those which have a bearing on quality of life, whilst being of an affordable scale. The UK government suggests that the Framework Programme should be based around a number of thematic objectives, and suggests some 13 examples of these. Once the objectives have been established, an advisory group could be set up for each one, to identify the RTD needs of each objective. These needs would then be incorporated into specific programmes. The paper suggests that the specific programmes should be based on key technologies, and suggests six programmes: - Information and communications technologies; - Life sciences and medical technologies; - Energy technologies; - Engineering, chemical and material technologies; - Environmental and marine sciences and technologies; - Social and economic sciences. These programmes would be supplemented by a small number of policy-related programmes, such as transport and agriculture. Overall, however, the UK wants to see a smaller number of specific programmes than those of the Fourth Framework Programme, arguing that fewer programmes means less overlap and fewer coordination problems. The UK argues that the budget for the Fifth Framework Programme should not be any larger than that for the Fourth Framework Programme, suggesting that closer coordination between national programmes may be more effective than additional funding at European level. Within the overall funding, however the UK wants to see a higher proportion going to exploitation and dissemination of results, and at least the same proportion going to training of researchers and international cooperation. The paper also recommends a reduction in funding for nuclear safety research.
Kraje
United Kingdom