ACTS programme - Preliminary results of third call
The third call for proposals launched under the Community's specific RTD programme in the field of Advanced Communications Technologies and Services (ACTS) has received a very positive response, with some 195 proposals received by the deadline of 26 September 1997. The call, published in June 1997 (OJ No C 183 of 17.6.1997) covered new and innovative work relating to projects supported under the first and second calls and novel technological work in a number of specified fields. The total EU funding requested amounted to some ECU 332 million, approximately four times the total remaining budget of ECU 80 million. Following a technical evaluation, undertaken by independent experts, 89 proposals were retained. A strategy/policy evaluation is ongoing and the ACTS management committee is expected to give its opinion shortly. A formal Commission decision on the selected projects is expected before the end of the year, allowing the new work to start by early March 1998. Electronic submission of proposals continued to be a popular option for applicants, with 184 (94%) proposals submitted electronically, as signed and encrypted files - either via the Internet and ATM networks (67%) or on diskette. Fourteen of the shortlisted proposals include partners from Central and Eastern European countries.