Training and Mobility of Researchers programme: 91 research training networks supported On 17 January 1995, the European Commission published its first call for proposals for RTD activities under the Community's specific programme for the training and mobility of researchers (TMR). A total of 1,427 eligible proposals were presented under Activity 1 of the program... On 17 January 1995, the European Commission published its first call for proposals for RTD activities under the Community's specific programme for the training and mobility of researchers (TMR). A total of 1,427 eligible proposals were presented under Activity 1 of the programme: Research Training Networks. Following an extensive peer review which involved independent scientific experts drawn from all the sub-disciplines covered by the TMR Networks activity (see list in the TMR Information Package), 91 proposals were judged to be outstanding and were recommended for selection. Decisions about the funding arrangements for these proposals are currently being considered. Networks selected to be financed can expect to receive, on average, ECU 1.6 million. In each case up to four years' funding is to be made available to cover: the salary costs of young researchers recruited to the project; their mobility costs as well as those of the experienced researchers; and the general networking costs related to the good management of the project, which includes a contribution to the administrative overheads of the host institution. Commenting on the results of this call for proposals, Mr. Helmut Morsi, the coordinator of TMR's Network evaluation and scientific follow-up, noted that "Overall the proposals were of significantly higher quality than those presented to the previous Human Capital and Mobility (HCM) programme. In all the panels, 12%-15% of the proposals were judged to be excellent. (...) In this first round, however, we have so far only been able to fund the 6.4% outstanding proposals. To rectify this situation, in view of our limited budget, we are taking a long hard look at our guidelines. Detailed discussions are already underway between scientific community, representatives from those countries that fully participate in the TMR programme and Commission staff".
