eunbil · GT0N1604 · 2006-07-14 00:00:00 — The citizen in Union: in the context of the future development of the enlarged AM 207/210 EU, addressing the issues of achieving a sense of democratic "ownership" and participation by the peoples of Europe; effective and democratic governance at all levels including economic and legal governance and the role of civil society; AM 207 research for a shared understanding and respect for Europe"s diversities and commonalities in terms of culture, religions, cultural heritage, institutions and legal systems, history, languages and values as elements of our European multi-cultural identity and heritage. Socio-economic and scientific indicators: their use in policy and its implementation and monitoring, the improvement of existing indicators, techniques to analyse them and the development of new ones for this purpose and for the evaluation of research programmes, including indicators based on official statistics. Foresight activities on major science, technology and related socio-economic issues such as the future demographic trends and the globalization of knowledge, the dissemination of knowledge, AM 209 and evolution of research systems, as well as of the future developments in and across major research domains and scientific disciplines. Supporting a European Space Programme focusing on applications such as GMES with benefits for citizens and for the competitiveness of space industry. This will contribute to the development of a European Space Policy, complementing efforts by Member States and by other key players, including . The Community can contribute in this field to the better definition of common objectives based on user requirements and policy objectives; to the coordination of activities, to avoid duplications and maximise interoperability; to improving cost-effectiveness and to the definition of standards. Public authorities and decision-makers represent important potential users and industry will also benefit from a well defined European Space policy implemented through a European Space Programme, supported in part by the proposed research and technological development actions. European level actions are also needed to support Community policy objectives, for example in the fields of agriculture, forestry, AM 226 fisheries, environment, health, AM 226 telecommunications, security, transport as well as ensuring that Europe is a respected partner in regional and international cooperation. In the last 40 years, Europe, nationally and through , has built up excellent technological competence. Sustaining a competitive industry (including manufacturers, service providers and operators) requires new research and technologies. Space applications bring important benefits to the citizens by virtue of technological spin-off effects and are indispensable in a high-tech society. The activities set out below aim at: the efficient exploitation of space assets (in coordination with in-situ assets, including airborne assets) AM 228 for the implementation of applications, namely GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) and their contribution to law enforcement in Community policies; space exploration, allowing international cooperation opportunities and dramatic technological breakthroughs as well as cost-effective missions; AM 228 exploitation and exploration of space supported through enabling activities guaranteeing the strategic role of Union. These activities will be complemented by other actions included in the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme and in the Education and Training Programme. The public policy benefits of the below activities will also be maximised, included additional support for new policy needs that may arise, for example: space-based solutions in support of developing countries; and use of space-observation tools and methods to support developments in Community policies. applications at the service of Society GMES: development of satellite-based and in-situ AM 230 monitoring and early-warning systems, including for the safety of citizens, and techniques relating to the management of the environment and security (including the management of natural disasters) and their integration with ground-based, ship-borne and airborne components; support to the integration, harmonisation, AM 230 use and delivery of GMES data (both satellite-based and in-situ, including ground-based, shipborne and airborne) AM 230 and services. Innovative satellite communication services, seamlessly integrated in the global electronic communication networks, for citizens and enterprises in application sectors encompassing civil protection, e-government, telemedicine, tele-education, search and rescue, tourism and leisure time, personal navigation, fleet management, agriculture and forestry, meteorology and generic users. Development of monitoring technologies and systems for reducing the vulnerability of space-based services and for contributing to the surveillance of space. Development of space-based systems for risk prevention and risk management and all kinds of emergencies, enhancing convergence with non-space systems. Providing R&D support and maximising scientific added value through synergies with initiatives of or national space agencies in the field of space exploration; facilitating the access to scientific data. Coordination of efforts for the development of space-borne telescopes and detectors as well as for data analysis in space sciences. RTD for strengthening space foundations Space research and development for long term needs including space transportation; research activities to increase the competitiveness and cost-effectiveness of space technology sector. Space sciences including bio-medicine and AM 234 life and physical sciences in space. To develop the technologies and knowledge for capabilities needed to ensure the security of citizens from threats such as terrorism, natural disasters, AM 213 and crime, while respecting fundamental human rights including privacy; AM 213 to ensure optimal and concerted use of available technologies to the benefit of civil European security, to stimulate the cooperation of providers and users for civil security solutions, improving the competitiveness of security industry and delivering mission-oriented research results to reduce security gaps. Security in Europe is a precondition of prosperity and freedom. Strategy: "A Secure Europe in a Better World", adopted by Council, addresses the need for a comprehensive security strategy encompassing both civil and defence-related security measures. Security related research is an important block for realising a high level of security within the area of freedom, security and . It will also contribute to developing technologies and capabilities in support of other Community policies in areas such as transport, civil protection, energy, environment and health. AM 215 Security research needs specific implementation rules to take into account its special nature. Existing security related research activities in Europe suffer from the fragmentation of efforts, the lack of critical mass of scale and scope and the lack of connections and interoperability. Europe needs to improve the coherence of its efforts by developing efficient institutional arrangements and by instigating the various national and international actors to co-operate and co-ordinate in order to avoid duplication and to explore synergies wherever possible. Security research at Community level will maintain an exclusively civil orientation and focus on activities of clear added value to the national level. As a consequence, civil security research within the Seventh Framework Programme will reinforce the competitiveness of security industry. Recognising that there are areas of "dual-use" technology, close coordination with the activities of () will be needed in order to ensure complementarity. Security research will emphasise capabilities regarding surveillance, distribution of information and knowledge of threats and incidents as well as systems for better assessments and situation control through better use of common ICT-systems in the fields of different operations. The non defence activities set out below will complement and integrate the technology- and systems-oriented research relevant to civil security which is carried out in other themes. They will be mission-oriented, developing the technologies and capabilities as required by the specific security missions. They are by design flexible so as to accommodate as yet unknown future security threats and related policy needs that may arise, stimulating cross-fertilisation and the take-up of existing technologies for the civil security sector, European security research will also encourage the development of multi-purpose technologies in order to maximise the scope for their application. Security of citizens: delivering technology solutions for civil protection, including bio-security and protection against risks arising from crime and terrorist attacks. Security of infrastructures and utilities: analysing and securing existing and future public and private critical/networked infrastructure (e.g. in transport, energy, ICT), systems and services (including financial and administrative services). Intelligent surveillance and border security: focusing on technologies and capabilities to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of all systems, equipment, tools and processes as well as methods for rapid identification AM 221 required for improving the security of Europe"s land and borders, including border control and surveillance issues. Restoring security and safety AM 222 in case of crisis: focusing on technologies providing an overview of, and support for AM 222 diverse emergency management operations (such as civil protection, humanitarian and rescue tasks), and on issues such as inter-organisational preparation, co-ordination and communication, distributed architectures and human factors. The above four areas will be supported by the following themes of a more cross-cutting nature: Security systems integration, interconnectivity AM 223 and interoperability: Intelligence, information gathering and civil security, AM 223 focusing on technologies to enhance the interoperability of systems, equipment, services and processes, including law enforcement, firefighting, civil defence and information infrastructures, as well as on the reliability, organisational aspects, protection of confidentiality and integrity of information and traceability of all transactions and processing. Security and society: mission orientated research which will focus on socio-economic analyses, scenario and activities related to: cultural, social, political and economic dimensions of security, the communication with the society, the role of human values and policy making, psychology social environment of terrorism, AM 224 citizen"s perception of security, ethics, protection of privacy, societal foresight and systemic risk analysis. Research will also address technologies that better safeguard privacy and liberties, and will address vulnerabilities and new threats, as well as the management and impact assessment of possible consequences. Security research co-ordination and structuring: co-ordination of European and international security research efforts and development of synergies between civil, security and defence research, improvement of legal conditions, and encouragement to the optimal use of existing infrastructures. This programme will enhance the dynamism, creativity and excellence of European research at the frontier of knowledge. This will be done by supporting "investigator-driven" research projects carried out across all fields by individual teams in competition at level. Projects will be funded on the basis of proposals presented by researchers both from the private and public sectors AM 235 on subjects of their choice and evaluated on the sole criterion of excellence as judged by peer review. Communication and dissemination of research results is an important aspect of this programme. Investigator-driven "frontier" research, within the framework of activities commonly understood as "basic research", is a key driver of wealth and social progress, as it opens new opportunities for scientific and technological advance, and is instrumental in producing new knowledge leading to future applications and markets. Despite many achievements and a high level of performance in a large number of fields, Europe is not making the most of its research potential and resources, and urgently needs a greater capacity to generate knowledge and translate such knowledge into economic and social value and growth. A Europe-wide competitive funding structure AM 237 (in addition to and not replacing national funding) for frontier research executed by individual teams, which may be of national or transnational character, is a key component of Research Area, complementing other Community and national activities. It will help reinforce the dynamism and attractiveness of Europe for the best researchers from both European and third countries, and for industrial investment. This action will respond to the most promising and productive areas of research and the best opportunities for scientific and technological progress, within and across disciplines, including and social sciences and the humanities. It will be implemented independently of the thematic orientations of the other parts of the Framework Programme, and will pay attention to new generation AM 238, (77) researchers and new groups as well as established teams. The Community activities in frontier research will be implemented by a (), consisting of an independent AM 240 scientific council, supported by a lean and cost-effective AM 239 dedicated implementation structure. The management of the ERC will be carried out by staff recruited for that purpose, including officials from EU institutions, and will cover only the real administrative needs in order to assure the stability and continuity necessary for an effective administration. will consist of representatives of scientific community, ensuring a diversity of the research fields, AM 240 at the highest level, acting in their personal capacity, independently of political or other interests. Its members will be appointed by the Commission following an independent procedure for their identification. They will be appointed for a period of four years, renewable once, on a basis of a rotating system which will ensure the continuity of scientific council"s work. will, inter alia, establish an overall scientific strategy, have full authority over AM 240 decisions on the type of research to be funded and act as guarantor of the quality of the activity from the scientific perspective. Its tasks will cover, in particular, the development of the annual work programme, the of the peer review process, as well as the monitoring and quality control of the programme"s implementation from the scientific perspective. It will establish a code of conduct addressing, inter alia, the avoidance of conflicts of interest. The dedicated implementation structure will be responsible for all aspects of implementation and programme execution as provided for in the annual work programme. It will, in particular, implement the peer review and selection process according to the principles established by the scientific council and will ensure the financial and scientific management of the grants. The administrative and staffing costs for the ERC (scientific council and dedicated implementation structure) will be consistent with lean and cost-effective management; administrative expenditure will be kept to a minimum, consistent with ensuring the resources necessary for high quality implementation. The Commission will act as the guarantor of the ERC"s full autonomy and integrity. It will ensure that the ERC will act in accordance with the principles of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency and transparency, and that it follows precisely the strategy and implementation methodology established by the scientific council. The Commission will draw up, in cooperation with the , an annual report on the ERC"s operations and realisation of the objectives and submit it to Parliament and the Council. will have the faculty to conduct its own strategic studies for preparing and supporting its operational activities. In particular, it may consult with European, intergovernmental and national initiatives so as to programme its activities in the light of other research at European and national level. The implementation and management of the activity will be reviewed and evaluated on an on-going basis to assess its achievements and to adjust and improve procedures on the basis of experience. In the context of the interim evaluation referred to in Article 7.2, an independent review will also be carried out of the ERC"s structures and mechanisms, against the criteria of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency and transparency and with the full involvement of the scientific council. The review will explicitly look at the advantages and disadvantages of a structure based on an , a structure based on Article 171 of the Treaty, or any other relevant structure. On the basis of this review, these structures and mechanisms should be modified as appropriate. The Commission will ensure that all the necessary preparatory work is undertaken and presented to Parliament and the Council, with a view to a transition to any modified structure required, as soon as possible. The progress report referred to in Article 7.2, preceding the interim evaluation, will give initial findings on the functioning of the ERC. Strengthening, quantitatively and qualitatively, the human potential in research and technology in Europe, by stimulating people to enter into the researcher"s profession, encouraging European researchers to stay in Europe, and attracting to Europe researchers from the entire world, making Europe more attractive to the best researchers. on the experiences with the "" actions under previous Framework Programmes, AM 244 this will be done by putting into place a coherent set of "" actions, particularly taking into account added-value in terms of their impact on Research Area. These actions address AM 244 researchers at all stages of their careers, from initial research training specifically intended for young people AM 244 to life-long learning and career development in the public and private sectors. AM 244 Efforts will also be made to increase participation by women researchers, by encouraging equal opportunities in all "", by designing the actions to ensure that researchers can achieve an appropriate work/life balance and by facilitating resuming a research career after a break. Abundant and highly trained qualified researchers are a necessary condition to advance science and to underpin innovation, but also an important factor to attract and sustain investments in research by public and private entities. Against the background of growing competition at world level, the development of an open European labour market for researchers free from all forms of discrimination AM 245and the diversification of skills and career paths of researchers are crucial to support a beneficial circulation of researchers and their knowledge, both within Europe and in a global setting. Special measures to encourage early-stage researchers and support early stages of scientific career, as well as measures to reduce the "brain drain", such as reintegration grants, will be introduced. Mobility, both trans-national and intersectoral, including stimulating industrial participation and the opening of research careers and academic positions at European scale, is a key component of Research Area and indispensable to increase European capacities and performances in research. between researchers will remain central in order to ensure highest quality of research under this activity. Increasing the mobility of researchers and strengthening the resources of those institutions which attract researchers internationally will encourage centres of excellence around Union. AM 248 To ensure training and mobility within new research and technology areas, appropriate coordination with other parts of the Framework Programme will be ensured and synergies will be sought with with other Community policies, e.g. on education, cohesion and employment. AM257 Actions on linking science education to careers, and research and coordination actions on new methods in science education are foreseen under the Science in Society part of the Capacities Specific Programme. Initial training of researchers to improve their career perspectives, in both public and private sectors, including through the broadening of their scientific and generic skills, including those relating to technology transfer and entrepreneurship, AM 251 and attracting more young people to scientific careers. This will be implemented through with the main objective to overcome fragmentation of and to strengthen at European level the initial training and career development of researchers. Support is foreseen for the best early-stage researchers to join established research teams. AM 253 Members of the trans-national networks shall exploit their complementary competencies through integrated training programmes. Support will comprise recruitment of early stage researchers, organisation of training events also open to researchers outside the network and senior chairs and/or industry positions for knowledge transfer and supervision. Life-long training and career development to support the career development of experienced researchers. With a view to complementing or acquiring new skills and competencies or to enhance inter/multidisciplinarity and/or inter-sectoral mobility, support is foreseen for researchers with particular needs for additional/complementary competences and skills, for researchers to resume a research career after a break and for (re-)integrating researchers into a longer term research position in Europe, including in their country of origin, after a trans-national/international mobility experience. This action line will be implemented through both individual fellowships awarded directly at Community level and through the co-financing of regional, national or international programmes where this fulfils the criteria of European added value, transparency and openness. Initially the co-financing mode will be implemented on a controlled scale allowing for the necessary experience to be gained. Industry-academia pathways and partnerships: Support to longer term cooperation programmes between organisations from academia and industry, in particular SMEs and including traditional manufacturing industries AM 255, aims at stimulating intersectoral mobility and AM 255 increasing knowledge sharing through joint research partnerships, supported by the recruitment of experienced researchers to the partnership, by staff secondments between both sectors, and by the organisation of events. The international dimension, to increase the quality of European research by attracting research talent from outside Europe and fostering mutually beneficial research collaboration with researchers from outside Europe. This will be addressed through international outgoing fellowships (with an in-built mandatory return phase); international incoming fellowships; partnerships to support the exchange of researchers. Common initiatives between European organisations and organisations from countries neighbouring the EU and countries with which the Community has a Science and Technology agreement will also be supported.