Commission invites proposals on strategic analysis of specific political issues

The European Commission has announced a call for proposals under the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (RTD) activities for the period 1998 to 2002. The call invites proposals for indirect RTD actions under the specific ...

The European Commission has announced a call for proposals under the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (RTD) activities for the period 1998 to 2002.

The call invites proposals for indirect RTD actions under the specific programme for RTD relating to "Improving the Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base" in the field of strategic analysis of specific political issues.

The call texts, together with all the documentation necessary to make a proposal, are accessible via:

URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/improving

The call relates to proposals with a fixed deadline, following which evaluation will take place. Only proposals submitted before this deadline will be considered under the call notice.

Those eligible to participate in indirect RTD actions under the specific programme are invited to submit proposals for thematic networks and accompanying measures that contribute to a flexible service for decision makers on the development of science and technology (S&T) policies in Europe, underpinning and complementing the activities carried out at national and international level. The objective is to ensure a continuous open dialogue with experts, policy makers and intermediaries in the field of S&T policy with the following major functions:

- Support for the exchange of experiences and mutual learning by bringing together policy makers and experts on issues relating to policy design and implementation at regional, national and European level;
- Analysis and synthesis, developing knowledge and understanding of issues and opportunities important for science and technology from a European perspective, and exploiting this knowledge towards S&T policy-makers at various levels.

The call is divided into two parts as follows:

- Part one: Thematic networks:
- - Proposals need to contribute to the overall objectives of the programme addressing issues within one or more of the following areas of the work-programme:
- - - European S&T policies and national global systems - European S&T policies are evolving in the context of progressive integration of economies at European and global levels and the continuing internationalisation of S&T. Interactions of these tendencies and their implications for the design and implementation of S&T policies at regional, national and European level will be studied.
- - Articulation between RTD and other policies within the European Institutional environment:
- - - Synergies and tensions between different areas of policy (both national and international) in the development of science, technology, innovation and the human research potential in a "systemic" context will be studied, bearing in mind possible contributions of RTD to other policy areas.
- - -Management of change in S&T policy: Trends and their implications for the design, management and evaluation of S&T and innovation policies will be analysed in the light of the increasing scope for and costs of research, combined with limited budgets and the need to accept the inherent riskiness of research.
- - -Collaboration in science, technology, and innovation: changing needs and opportunity for policy: The ways in which S&T policies need to be designed in order to take into account the contribution to S&T and innovation of various kinds of partnerships and the ways they emerge and adapt to economic and institutional change will be studied.
- Part 2: Accompanying measures proposed can include one, or combinations of more of the following:
- - Studies in support of this programme (Strategic Analysis of Specific Political Issues) and in preparation of future activities, including studies on strategic issues arising in the course of the programme;
- - Exchanges of information, conferences, seminars, workshops, round tables, study panels or other scientific or technical meetings;
- - Information, communication and dissemination activities, including scientific publications and activities for the promotion and exploitation of results and the dissemination of knowledge.

The indicative budget available for thematic networks under this call notice is 6 million euro of Community contribution.

The indicative budget available for accompanying measures under this call notice is 2 million euro of Community contribution.

Information on the rules for participation in the Programme and how to prepare and submit proposals is given in the European Commission's Guide for Proposers, which can be obtained, along with the work programme and other information relating to the call, from the address below.
For more information, please contact:

European Commission
Directorate General XII
Science, Research, and Development
Directorate XII/AP/5
Scientific and Technological Perspectives
Rue de la Loi 200
B-1049 Brussels
Fax [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
URL: http://cordis.europa.eu/improving