1. Dr Georgios Amanatidis DG Research - Dir I European Commission
6th Framework Programme:
Introduction and Instruments
Dr Georgios Amanatidis
DG Research - Dir I
European Commission

2. Community RTD: the changing priorities
The graph below shows how the priorities have evolved since 20 years. The emphasis is clearly more and more towards societal issues. As far as industrial technologies are concerned, their importance has steadily grown over the years, with some specialisation recently. The “transport” sector, including aeronautics, has received more visibility, as well as SMEs in FP6.

3. The Framework Programme will be an instrument to implement
the European Research Area
Implement ERA needs:
integrate (make European Research more coherent and homogeneous around key objectives)
structuring (e.g. improve the coordination of national policies)
strengthening (underline the links between science and society)

4. FP6: A changing role for EU Research Programmes
Objective “Lisbon”: to become the most dynamic and most competitive knowledge-based economy within 10 years
Objective “Göteborg”: sustainable development (environment, health, economy, employment)
European Research Area (ERA): …Integrating, reinforcing, structuring… and stimulating investment in R&D (1,9% 3,0%)
The 6th research and innovation Framework Programme of the European Community is characterised by a changing role of EU Research Programmes.
It is based on three clear “political” pillars:
The “Lisbon” objective has been stated in spring 2000: “to help Europe becoming the most dynamic and most competitive knowledge-based economy within 10 years”. In this context research, innovation and education related activities become key factors to support this objective
The Göteborg” objective, stated in spring 2001, puts sustainable development, i.e. environment, health, economy, employment, at the top of the agenda of all EU future activities.
Finally, since Lisbon, the development of a true European Research Area (ERA) is the driving force of the EU research policy. Integrating, reinforcing and structuring research efforts at European level will be the objective of the 6th Framework Programme. In addition, such an effective area should stimulate industrial investments in research, thus closing the loop with the “Lisbon” objective. It should be reminded that Europe strongly lies behind its competitors due regards to investment in research (1.9% against 3,0%). The objective is therefore to reach in Europe 3% of investments in research at the horizon 2010.

5. Enlargement EU Candidate countries: Bulgaria Cyprus Estonia Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Poland
Czech Republic
Romania
Slovenia
Slovakia
Turkey

6. Pillars of Sustainable Development
Social
Environment
Economy
Political
Cultural

7. FP6: eight Priorities
The 6th Framework Programme is concentrating its efforts towards 8 research priorities, which support competitive and sustainable growth.
These are at the same time focusing on competitiveness and increased quality of life. The future of manufacturing industry is for example clearly linked with the deployment of information society technologies, but in a context of increased human friendly approaches. Future products will more and more be associated with eco-efficient services, with a total life-cycle consideration, emphasising therefore the importance of sustainability. Health and security related issues are also becoming of prime importance and will generate growing markets in the coming years, influencing in consequence the manufacturing industry. All these consideration will affect the sector of SMEs, which represent more that 99% of enterprises in Europe. Special attention will be devoted to them in FP6. Finally the international dimension, today, is becoming a critical issue, which needs particular focus all over the research priorities.

8. to integrate RTD activities
FP6: Eight Priorities
to integrate RTD activities
genomics and biotechology for health
information society technologies
nanotechnology, materials, production
aeronautics and space
food safety and health risks
sustainable development & global change 2120
citizens and governance
wider field of research (INCO, CRAFT, ...) 1300
More focused priorities according to FP5
A single specific programme
Arteas of Interest for Robotics: Priorities 2 & 3. Also International cooperation and CRAFT

9. Instruments to be used Integrated Projects (IP) - New!
Networks of Excellence (NE) - New!
Specific Targeted Research Projects (STREP)
Co-ordination actions (CA)
Specific support actions (SSA)

10. New Instruments
Integrated Projects (IP) - achieving ambitious, clearly defined scientific and technological objectives of European dimension - leading to radical innovation in the long term - new applicable knowledge
Networks of Excellence (NE) - long-term integration & contribution to advancing knowledge for sustainability, competitiveness & dynamism of EU industry - durable structuring and shaping of European research

11. … among participants and funding bodies
Integrated Projects
Objectives
Real breakthroughs,
Support to Industry,
Sustain. Development
Clear and Quantified Deliverables and Integration...
… across ScientificAreas
Climate change, carbon sinks, ozone depletion, water cycle, ecosystems
… across Activities
from basic research
Support to SMEs
Technology transfer
to dissemination and training…
50% EC Funds
… among participants and funding bodies
governments, contractors, industry, universities, research institutes, etc.

12. Networks of Excellence
Objectives
To assemble EU
Research Capacities
and strengthen S & T
Excellence
Advancing Knowledge and Integration ...
Joint Program of
Activities (JPA)
Coordination of partner’s activities, sharing platforms and facilities, staff mobility
… to strengthen EU poles of
excellence
global change,
water management,
biodiversity,
natural disasters
100% EC Funds
for Integration of
resources
Participants Wishing a Progressive and Lasting Integration of Research Capacities

13. Other Instruments
Specific Support Actions (SSA) - preparing future research activities, future scenarios, road-maps
Co-ordination Actions (CA) - strengthen links between national, regional & EC RTD projects, co-ordination with EUREKA, COST & ESF
Specific Targeted Research Projects (STREP)

14. Evaluation criteria as for the IPs
STREP
Instrument to be used for implementing priority thematic areas
Aiming at new knowledge for new products, processes or services, or to meet other society needs
Innovation oriented RTD and/or Demonstration activities
Well defined and measurable objectives and outcomes
IPR and management of knowledge are important
Duration 2-3 years normally, min 3 partners
Evaluation criteria as for the IPs

15. Evaluation issues... Integrated Projects
Relevance to call /5
Potential impact /5
S & T excellence /5
Quality of the consortium /5
Quality of the management /5
Mobilisation of the resources / /30
Common for all priorities

16. Recommendations to IP proposers
Flagship project with ambitious & consolidated action plans (as well as contingency plans)
Pragmatic and coherent management/ framework (e.g. board of management, permanent secretariat)
Combined financial resources such as venture capital, EIB funds, national funding, etc. in addition to the EC funds
Inclusion of supporting modules/elements, e.g. training, SMEs, INCO, IPR set-up, ethics, etc.

17. Evaluation issues... Networks of Excellence
Relevance to call /5
Potential impact /5
Excellence of the participants /5
Degree of integration & the J P A 4/5
Organisation and management /5 20/25
Common for all priorities

18. Recommendations to NoE proposers
Overall, proposal should correspond with a strong commitment of proposers for a lasting integration of capacities
Ambitious & consolidated action plans (as well as contingency plans)
Pragmatic and coherent management framework(e.g. board of management, permanent secretariat), supported by the partners’ top managers
Inclusion of supporting modules/elements, e.g. training, SME’s, INCO, ethics, gender equality.

19. Information To build on current EU Research: www.cordis.lu
Information on FP6: europa.eu.int/comm/research/nfp.html
FP6 Instruments: europa.eu.int/comm/research/nfp/networks-ip.html
Expressions of Interest: Evaluators: