Commission adopts proposal for Fifth RTD Framework Programme At its meeting, in Strasbourg, on 9 April 1997, the European Commission has adopted, its proposal for the Fifth RTD Framework Programme. The proposal represents a considerable change in approach from the previous four Framework Programmes, with the Commission aiming to concent... At its meeting, in Strasbourg, on 9 April 1997, the European Commission has adopted, its proposal for the Fifth RTD Framework Programme. The proposal represents a considerable change in approach from the previous four Framework Programmes, with the Commission aiming to concentrate research efforts in order to achieve the greatest impact on employment, quality of life and European competitiveness. The five-year Fifth Framework Programme, under which the Commission plans to launch the first calls for proposals by the end of 1998, will consist of six programmes, in comparison to the 18 of the Fourth Framework Programme. The Commission has also proposed major changes in the management and implementation of the Programme. Greater coordination and cooperation between the specific programmes, and with other Community policies, will ensure that Community research efforts respond best to the EU's needs, while increased flexibility will allow the Programme to respond to emerging priorities. Three thematic programmes will support research, technological development and demonstration activities, carried out in cooperation between European companies, universities and research organizations. These programmes will address: the unlocking of the resources of the living world and the ecosystem; the creation of a user-friendly Information Society; and the promotion of competitive and sustainable growth. Within these three programmes, some 16 "key actions" will be supported. Generic research and European research infrastructures in each field will also receive support from the programmes. The thematic programmes will be complemented by three horizontal programmes, addressing the other research activities supported by the Community. These horizontal programmes will support: research cooperation with entities outside the EU; innovation and SME participation; and improving human potential. Within each of the six programmes, a reserve of unallocated funding will be created, allowing new research priorities to be supported at short notice. The Commission's proposal for the structure of the Fifth Framework Programme is based on the outline already seen in "Inventing Tomorrow", published in July 1996, and the subsequent discussion documents. The final proposal takes account of the large number of submissions received by the Commission, as well as wide consultations conducted during the past year. As regards the Programme's budget, the Commission is unable to make specific proposals, since the Programme will fall under the Community's next financial perspectives, which will run from 1999. The Commission is due to draw up its proposals for this budgetary framework in the second half of 1997, and a proposal for the overall budget for the Fifth Framework Programme will be made at that time. In the meantime, the Commission proposes that the budget should account for the same proportion of Community GNP (gross national product) as the budget of the Fourth Framework Programme. Research is currently the largest component of the Community's spending on internal policies, accounting for 60% of this category. The Commission will propose that this continues. The proposal does include a proportional allocation of funding within the Framework Programme, with the three thematic programmes receiving 84% of the budget, split equally between the three programmes. Training and mobility of researchers will see a proportional increase in funding from the Fourth Framework Programme, following widespread recognition of the success of the current TMR programme The Commission's proposal will now be presented to the Council and European Parliament, who will adopt the Decision on the Programme. With the final adoption of the Framework Programme to be followed by the adoption of Decisions for the individual programmes, Council and Parliament will have to devote considerable efforts to the passage of these Decisions to enable the first calls for proposals to be launched before the end of 1998.
