1. New Methods for Involving SMEs in Mechatronics sector in FP6 To support small and medium size companies (SMEs) to take part in proposals and on-going projects of the 6th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6) To provide information on calls, how to write a proposal, how to join a project (e.g. large Integrated Projects and Networks of Excellence) To assist SMEs to join as coordinators, research partners and end-users Objectives

2. New Methods for Involving SMEs in Mechatronics sector in FP6 To assist at least 270 SMEs leading to participation in at least 70 FP6 project proposals, of which: 230 SMEs will participate in 50 proposal submissions to new and on-going IPs and NoE 40 SMEs will participate in 20 proposal submissions under other instruments To develop working practices that will facilitate networking provided by European intermediaries working with participation of SMEs in FP6 Targets

3. New Methods for Involving SMEs in Mechatronics sector in FP6 IST - Information Society Technologies NMP - Nano-technologies and nano- sciences, knowledge-based functional materials, new production processes and devices A&S - Aeronautics and Space Sust Dev - Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems Thematic priorities Mechatronics - a common umbrella of technologies Focus on the combination of sectors and the process of bringing SMEs in different sectors with different expertise together

4. New Methods for Involving SMEs in Mechatronics sector in FP6 1.Brian Smith, WDA 2.Dafydd Roberts, WDA 3.Vangelis Argoudelis, HELP FORWARD 4.Vassilios Tsakalos, HELP FORWARD 5.Chanan Shiloh, MATIMOP 6.Jacob Cohen, MATIMOP 7.Marco Mangiantini, CECCP 8.Katia Costa, CECCP 9. Tiziana Addato, CECCP 10.Kestutis Naudzius, MSI 11.Jonathan Loeffler, SEZ 12.Claudia Stöhrle, SEZ 13.Ann Magnusson, IVF 14.Max Maupoix, IVF 15.Fredrik Rubinstein, IVF 7 Partners Sweden, Lithuania, UK, Germany, Italy, Greece, Israel