Access to large-scale scientific facilities The European Commission, DG XII, has published a brochure providing information on activities funded under the "Access to large-scale facilities" section of the Human Capital and Mobility (HCM) programme, part of the Community's Third RTD Framework Programme. This section of ... The European Commission, DG XII, has published a brochure providing information on activities funded under the "Access to large-scale facilities" section of the Human Capital and Mobility (HCM) programme, part of the Community's Third RTD Framework Programme. This section of the HCM programme funded 70 large-scale scientific facilities from all over the European Union. Funding allowed European researchers to work in large, nationally-owned facilities which they would otherwise have been unable to do. The aim was to increase researchers' mobility and increase contact between European scientists from different countries. Facilities funded include astronomical observatories, synchrotron light sources, neutron beam sources, earthquake simulators, super computers and environmental research facilities. To date more than 2,500 researchers have gained free access to participating facilities, and as many of the current contracts will not expire until mid-1998, the total will be significantly higher. This section of the HCM programme has been continued in the Training and Mobility of Researchers (TMR) programme, under the Fourth Framework Programme, and a further call for proposals for organizations running facilities who wish to participate will be launched on 17 March 1997. The brochure contains summaries of the 70 facilities funded and details of their research and activities.
