Commission publishes first call for proposals for Sixth Framework programme

Research centres, universities and enterprises are invited to respond to the first batch of calls for proposals, representing a total first budgetary allocation of EUR5 billion.

Most of these funds (EUR3.4 billion) will go to the seven priorities of the Sixth Framework programme. Some 70% of this sum will focus on new funding schemes such as Networks of Excellence and Integrated Projects, and at least 15% overall will go to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
"The new programme is now taking off," said European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin. "It is time to start working on the new priorities and with the new instruments. European research players have already sent in 12,000 expressions of interest - promising ideas that helped us shape the work programmes. But now it is for real. I expect the Framework Programme to be a major catalyst in mobilising the European scientific and industrial communities, as well as Member and Associated States, including the candidate countries. I invite researchers and entrepreneurs to join in this endeavour and to help us make the Framework Programme a success." Most of this first allocation of the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) are aimed at "Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area" (ERA) through seven priorities:
Priority 1 - Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health;,Priority 2 - Information Society Technologies;,Priority 3 - Nano-technologies and nano-sciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials, and new production processes and devices;,Priority 4 - Aeronautics and Space;,Priority 5 - Food quality and safety;,Priority 6 - Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems;,Priority 7 - Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society.
These priorities reflect the result of a thorough consultation with Member State authorities as well as with EU scientific and industrial community. They address major scientific, industrial and societal challenges while reflecting the EU's overall ambition to concentrate on fewer priorities and activities. The aim is to gather the necessary resources available for building up the "critical mass" required for success in the competitive international environment.
Within these first calls, EUR460 million will also be devoted to policy-oriented research, special activities involving SMEs, special international co-operation activities, and support for the co-ordination of national activities. EUR990 million will be devoted to human resources and mobility, infrastructures and the science/society dialogue. EUR69 million will go to nuclear research.
The deadlines for the calls, most of which will be in March and April 2003, are specified in the calls for proposals.
The funding instruments,FP6 will give priority to two new funding instruments: Networks of Excellence and Integrated Projects. The long-term objective for Networks of Excellence is to forge lasting co-operation between those universities and research centres that excel in a particular field. Integrated Projects have a more mid-term and market focus. Other revamped funding schemes include "Specific targeted research projects", "Co-ordination actions" and "Specific support actions". In contrast to the Integrated Projects, "Specific targeted research projects" will support smaller-scope research projects.
"Co-ordination actions" will encourage networking and the co-ordination of research and innovation activities. "Specific support actions" are accompanying measures to support the implementation of FP6.
,Further media information:,The official text of the calls will be published in the Official Journal C315 of 17.12.2002 see: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/
For further information please visit: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp6,DG Research web site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/
Contacts:,For matters regarding the framework programme,Stephane Hogan, Press Officer, Research DG, European Commission,Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] - E-mail: [e-mail]
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