1. Research on Natural & Technological Hazards in the EU 
Karen Fabbri DG-Research - D.2. European Commission Brussels, Belgium

2. 5th Framework Programme for RTD (FP5)
Every 4 years the EU prepares a new plan identifying research priorities in the EU (now in FP ).
The approximate budget = +14 billion Euro over a 4 year period.
Financial support is obtained via calls for “project proposals”.
“Principle of subsidiarity” - research projects should have a wide EU dimension, and should address issues of EU relevance.
Proposals are evaluated by panels of external experts: success based on scientific excellence.

3. Community RTD - a changing budget

4. Community RTD - changing priorities

5. Fifth Framework Programme (1999-2002)
FP5 aims to promote:
multi-disciplinary & multi-sectoral research
involvement of stakeholders/end-users
policy-relevant research
sustainability: through the integration of environment, economics, and social sciences
4 main Thematic Programmes:
Quality of Life (life sciences)
Information Society Technologies (IT)
Sustainable Growth
Energy, Environment and SD

6. FP5-cont’d Horizontal Programmes:
International role of community research (INCO)
Innovation and SME participation
Human potential and the socio-economic knowledge base
Direct Actions:
Joint Research Centre

7. Environment & Sustainable Development Programme
Key Actions:
Sustainable management and quality of water
Global change, climate and biodiversity
Sustainable marine ecosystems
The city of tomorrow and cultural heritage
Generic Activities:
Natural & Technological Hazards
Earth Observation
Socio-economics

8. The Fight Against Major Natural & Technological Hazards
Objectives:
To develop methods and technologies (including EO & DSS) for:
environmental/socio-economic impact and risk assessment,
risk management and disaster preparedness,
hazard forecasting & monitoring,
prevention, evaluation & mitigation
To promote strategies with a view of providing input to EU policies (i.e. civil protection) and relevant legislation
To integrate e-science techniques

9. All Risk Areas To promote research on:
risk prevention, reduction and/or mitigation
risk and impact assessment (environmental, economic, social)
decision-support methodologies
disaster preparedness
risk perception, communication and awareness
Particular attention should be paid to aspects of end-user/stakeholder-driven, problem-solving and policy-relevant research !

10. Technological Risks
Technological Risks” - accidents resulting from natural and/or man-made causes related to major hazardous facilities, ie:
industrial plants
transport systems & interfaces
maritime disasters
leading to large scale consequences for people & environment
Understanding of processes
Risk assessment and forecasting
Risk management and mitigation

11. Forest Fires The development of improved methodologies and tools for:
improved fire fighting safety &efficiency
fire spread and suppression modelling
assessing wildland fires and fires at the interface with urban and industrial areas
characterising socio-economic aspects of forest fires
assessing forest silviculture and pasture management as fuel management tools.

12. Floods and Hydrogeological Risks
Development of new and improved methodologies and tools to:
increase understanding of mechanisms and processes
allow integrated studies of the occurrence of extreme flood events
link meteorological and hydrological events & climatic forcing
assess, manage & mitigate risks resulting from floods, landslides, avalanches, and large storms
examine relations with land use and land cover.

13. Seismic Risks Development of improved methods models and tools to:
identify high seismic risk areas
observe, analyse and monitor earthquake-related parameters and phenomena
identify factors that increase the level of natural hazards
determine hazard vulnerability & risk assessment
improve earthquake resistance of constructions
estimate local ground motion variations
examine predisaster scenarios
exchange data
combat disasters and alleviate their consequences

14. Volcanic Risks Development of new and improved methodologies for:
evaluation of magma properties, processes, & magma storage.
Development of computing environments and codes for:
integrating data from multi-sensor permanent surveillance networks & by spaceborne platforms.

15. Types of Projects
Shared-Cost RTD, demonstration, combined RTD/Demonstration, innovation, infrastructure projects.
Concerted Actions & Thematic Networks.
CRAFT projects (involving industry)
Accompanying Measures:
grants for conferences
workshops
expert meetings
publications
fellowships
advanced study courses
etc.

16. ESD - Proposal Submission
Next cut-off date for RTD proposal submission:
15 October 2001
For information see:

17. Expert Evaluators - Welcome !
Each proposal is evaluated by a panel of 3 + independent experts
to apply:
all sectors (academia, industry, government, etc)
all fields
reimbursement of travel & accommodation costs
honorarium / daily allowance

18. CORDIS: official web site for EU RTD
Info desks:
Learn about past and ongoing projects:
select “databases” / “projects” / “search”
enter keywords (ie: Seveso, industrial hazards…)
access to project abstracts, partnership, and contact information
Submit your own research results:

19. CORDIS Search for Partners: Interactive Services Partners
Search for RTD in Member States
Research & Development Gateway
Member States Service

20. CERIF Common European Research Information Format
CERIF 2000 is a set of guidelines meant for everyone dealing with research information systems.
The CERIF 2000 guidelines are developed by a group of experts from the EU Member States and Associated Member states, under the co-ordination of the European Commission.
CERIF 2000 is created:
To help new research information system developers by offering a superset of appropriate components from an full research information data model;
To assist existing CRIS (Current Research Information Systems) who are considering extensions with e.g. other types of research information;
To guide CRIS on how to structure and index their data in order to ensure the possibility of easy data exchange of similar information in between their research information systems.

21. Other EU RTD on-line Research DG:
Research on EUROPA:
Frequently Asked Questions:
RTD Info Magazine