# C_2005266EN.01000501.xml

| 27.10.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 266/5 |
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27.10.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 266/5

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Call for proposals for indirect RTD actions under the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration: ‘Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area’

Thematic priority area: ‘Specific activities covering a wider field of research’

Call identifier: FP6-2005-NEST-Path

(2005/C 266/05)

| 1. | In accordance with Decision No 1513/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 concerning the sixth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities contributing to the creation of the European Research Area and to innovation (2002 to 2006) (1), the Council adopted on 30 September 2002 the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration: ‘Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area’ (2002-2006) (2) (referred to as ‘the specific programme’).
  In accordance with Article 5(1) of the specific programme, the Commission of the European Communities (referred to as ‘the Commission’) has adopted on 9 December 2002 a work programme (3) (referred to as ‘the work programme’) setting out in greater detail the objectives and scientific and technological priorities of the specific programme, and the timetable for implementation.
  In accordance with Article 9(1) of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in, and for the dissemination of research results for, the implementation of the European Community Sixth Framework Programme (2002 to 2006) (4) (referred to as ‘the rules for participation’), proposals for indirect RTD actions should be submitted under the terms of calls for proposals. |
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1.

In accordance with Decision No 1513/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 concerning the sixth framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities contributing to the creation of the European Research Area and to innovation (2002 to 2006) (1), the Council adopted on 30 September 2002 the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration: ‘Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area’ (2002-2006) (2) (referred to as ‘the specific programme’).

1

2

In accordance with Article 5(1) of the specific programme, the Commission of the European Communities (referred to as ‘the Commission’) has adopted on 9 December 2002 a work programme (3) (referred to as ‘the work programme’) setting out in greater detail the objectives and scientific and technological priorities of the specific programme, and the timetable for implementation.

3

In accordance with Article 9(1) of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in, and for the dissemination of research results for, the implementation of the European Community Sixth Framework Programme (2002 to 2006) (4) (referred to as ‘the rules for participation’), proposals for indirect RTD actions should be submitted under the terms of calls for proposals.

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| 2. | The present call for proposals for indirect RTD actions (referred to as ‘the call’) comprises the present general part and the specific conditions that are described in the annex. The annex indicates in particular, the dates of closure for the submission of proposals for indirect RTD actions, an indicative date for the completion of the evaluations, the indicative budget, the instruments and the areas concerned, the evaluation criteria for the evaluation of proposals for indirect RTD actions, the minimum number of participants, and any applicable restrictions. |
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2.

The present call for proposals for indirect RTD actions (referred to as ‘the call’) comprises the present general part and the specific conditions that are described in the annex. The annex indicates in particular, the dates of closure for the submission of proposals for indirect RTD actions, an indicative date for the completion of the evaluations, the indicative budget, the instruments and the areas concerned, the evaluation criteria for the evaluation of proposals for indirect RTD actions, the minimum number of participants, and any applicable restrictions.

| 3. | Natural or legal persons fulfilling the conditions stated in the rules for participation and that do not fall under any of the exclusion cases in the rules for participation or in Article 114(2) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (5) (referred to as ‘the proposers’) are invited to submit to the Commission proposals for indirect RTD actions subject to the conditions in the rules for participation and in the call concerned being fulfilled.
  The conditions of participation of the proposers will be verified within the framework of the negotiation of the indirect RTD action. Before that however, proposers will have signed a declaration stating that they do not fall under any of the cases given by Article 93(1) of the Financial Regulation. They will also have given the Commission the information listed in Article 173(2) of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (6).
  The European Community has adopted an equal opportunities policy and, on this basis, women are particularly encouraged to either submit proposals for indirect RTD actions or participate in the submission of proposals for indirect RTD actions. |
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3.

Natural or legal persons fulfilling the conditions stated in the rules for participation and that do not fall under any of the exclusion cases in the rules for participation or in Article 114(2) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (5) (referred to as ‘the proposers’) are invited to submit to the Commission proposals for indirect RTD actions subject to the conditions in the rules for participation and in the call concerned being fulfilled.

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The conditions of participation of the proposers will be verified within the framework of the negotiation of the indirect RTD action. Before that however, proposers will have signed a declaration stating that they do not fall under any of the cases given by Article 93(1) of the Financial Regulation. They will also have given the Commission the information listed in Article 173(2) of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (6).

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The European Community has adopted an equal opportunities policy and, on this basis, women are particularly encouraged to either submit proposals for indirect RTD actions or participate in the submission of proposals for indirect RTD actions.

| 4. | The Commission makes available to proposers guides for proposers relating to the call which contain information on the preparation and the submission of a proposal for an indirect RTD action. The Commission also makes available Guidelines on Proposal Evaluation and Selection Procedures (7). These guides and guidelines, as well as the work programme and other information relating to the calls, can be obtained from the Commission via the following addresses:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| The NEST Information Desk |
| Directorate General RTD |
| BE-1049 Brussels |
| Email address: rtd-nest@cec.eu.int |
| Internet address: www.cordis.lu/nest |

4.

The Commission makes available to proposers guides for proposers relating to the call which contain information on the preparation and the submission of a proposal for an indirect RTD action. The Commission also makes available Guidelines on Proposal Evaluation and Selection Procedures (7). These guides and guidelines, as well as the work programme and other information relating to the calls, can be obtained from the Commission via the following addresses:

7

European Commission

The NEST Information Desk

Directorate General RTD

BE-1049 Brussels

Email address: rtd-nest@cec.eu.int

Email address

Internet address: www.cordis.lu/nest

Internet address

| 5. | Proposals for indirect RTD actions are invited to be submitted only as an electronic proposal via the web-based Electronic Proposal Submission System (EPSS (8)). In exceptional cases, however, a coordinator may request permission from the Commission to submit on paper in advance of a call deadline. This should be done by writing to one of the following addresses:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| William Cannell |
| Directorate General RTD |
| SDME 1/32 |
| BE-1049 Brussels |
| Email address: rtd-nest@cec.eu.int |

5.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions are invited to be submitted only as an electronic proposal via the web-based Electronic Proposal Submission System (EPSS (8)). In exceptional cases, however, a coordinator may request permission from the Commission to submit on paper in advance of a call deadline. This should be done by writing to one of the following addresses:

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European Commission

William Cannell

Directorate General RTD

SDME 1/32

BE-1049 Brussels

Email address: rtd-nest@cec.eu.int

Email address

The request must be accompanied by an explanation of why the exception is being sought. Proposers wishing to use paper submission take the responsibility for ensuring that such requests for exemption and the associated procedures are completed in time for them to meet the call deadline.

All proposals for indirect RTD actions must contain two parts: the forms (Part A) and the content (Part B).

Proposals for indirect RTD actions may be prepared off-line or on-line and submitted on-line. Part B of proposals for indirect RTD actions can only be submitted in PDF (‘portable document format’, compatible with Adobe Version 3 or higher with embedded fonts). Compressed (‘zipped’) files will be excluded.

The EPSS software tool (for off-line or on-line usage) is available via the Cordis website www.cordis.lu.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions that are submitted on-line and which are incomplete, illegible or contain viruses will be excluded.

Versions of proposals for indirect RTD actions submitted on a removable electronic storage medium (eg, CD-ROM, diskette), by email or by fax will be excluded.

Any proposal for indirect RTD actions that has been allowed to be submitted on paper and which is incomplete will be excluded.

Further details on the various proposal submission procedures are given in Annex J of the Guidelines on Proposal Evaluation and Selection Procedures.

| 6. | Proposals for indirect RTD actions have to reach the Commission at the latest on the closure date and at the time specified in the call concerned. Proposals for indirect RTD actions arriving after this date and time will be excluded.
  Proposals for indirect RTD actions not satisfying the conditions relating to the minimum number of participants indicated in the call concerned will be excluded.
  This also applies regarding any additional eligibility criteria given in the work programme. |
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6.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions have to reach the Commission at the latest on the closure date and at the time specified in the call concerned. Proposals for indirect RTD actions arriving after this date and time will be excluded.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions not satisfying the conditions relating to the minimum number of participants indicated in the call concerned will be excluded.

This also applies regarding any additional eligibility criteria given in the work programme.

| 7. | In the case of successive submissions of the same proposal for an indirect RTD action, the Commission will examine the last version received before the closure date and time specified in the call concerned. |
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7.

In the case of successive submissions of the same proposal for an indirect RTD action, the Commission will examine the last version received before the closure date and time specified in the call concerned.

| 8. | If foreseen in the relevant call, proposals for indirect RTD actions could be evaluated in the framework of a future evaluation. |
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8.

If foreseen in the relevant call, proposals for indirect RTD actions could be evaluated in the framework of a future evaluation.

| 9. | In all correspondence relating to a call (e.g. when requesting information, or submitting a proposal for an indirect RTD action), proposers are invited to cite the relevant call identifier. |
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9.

In all correspondence relating to a call (e.g. when requesting information, or submitting a proposal for an indirect RTD action), proposers are invited to cite the relevant call identifier.

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(1)  OJ L 232, 29.8.2002, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ L 294, 29.10.2002, p. 1.

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(3)  Commission Decision C(2002)4789, as modified by C(2003)577, C(2003)955, C(2003)1952, C(2003)3543, C(2003)3555, C(2003)4609, C(2003)5183, C(2004)433, C(2004)2002, C(2004)2727, C(2004)3324, C(2004)4178, C(2004)5286, C(2005)27, C(2005)961, C(2005)2076, C(2005)2747, C(2005)3244, C(2005)3390 and C(2005) 4008 all decisions unpublished.

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(4)  OJ L 355, 30.12.2002, p. 23.

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(5)  OJ L 248, of 16.9.2002, p. 1.

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(6)  OJ L 357, of 31.12.2002, p. 1.

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(7)  C(2003)883 of 27.3.2003, as last modified by C(2004)1855 of 18.5.2004.

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(8)  The EPSS is a tool to assist proposers to develop and submit their proposals electronically.

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ANNEX 1

FP6-2005-NEST-Path

CALL INFORMATION (PATHFINDER)

1.   Specific programme: ‘Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area’

2.   Activity: ‘Anticipating scientific and technological needs’.

3.   Call title: New and Emerging Science and Technology — Pathfinder

4.   Call reference number/identifier: FP6-2005-NEST-Path

5.   Date of publication:

6.   Date from which proposals are receivable: from call date; pre-proposal check service is available. Submission of pre-proposals, no later than 3 weeks before the deadline, is strongly recommended.

7.   Call deadline: 15 February 2006 at 17.00 (Brussels local time).

8.   Total indicative budget: EUR 50 million.

9.   Topics called and Instruments (1): Proposals are invited in the following topics, which are described using short titles only. For the full titles and definition of the topics, applicants must refer to the technical content of this Work Programme. The evaluation of proposals will be based on the full definition of topics as described in the Work Programme. For each topic the instruments to be used are indicated.

10.   Minimum number of participants (3):

| Instrument | Minimum number |
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| STREPs and CAs | Three independent legal entities from three different MS or AS, with at least two MS or ACC |
| SSAs | One legal entity from 1 MS or AS |

Instrument

Minimum number

STREPs and CAs

Three independent legal entities from three different MS or AS, with at least two MS or ACC

SSAs

One legal entity from 1 MS or AS

11.   Restriction on participation: none.

12.   Consortia agreements: It is not mandatory that participants in RTD actions resulting from this call conclude a consortium agreement although it is strongly recommended that participants consider carefully the possible benefits of such an agreement, and implement one if appropriate.

13.   Evaluation procedure:

| — | The evaluation is carried out through a combination of referees (remote evaluation) and groups of experts that convene in Brussels. |
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The evaluation is carried out through a combination of referees (remote evaluation) and groups of experts that convene in Brussels.

| — | Proposals have to be submitted as full proposals. Full proposals are evaluated non-anonymously. |
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—

Proposals have to be submitted as full proposals. Full proposals are evaluated non-anonymously.

14.   Evaluation criteria:

| — | For STREPs, see the criteria and thresholds for the PATHFINDER activity in section 8.2.6 of the Work-programme. |
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For STREPs, see the criteria and thresholds for the PATHFINDER activity in section 8.2.6 of the Work-programme.

| — | CAs and SSAs will be evaluated according to the criteria in Annex B of the work programme. |
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CAs and SSAs will be evaluated according to the criteria in Annex B of the work programme.

15.   Indicative evaluation and selection delays:

| — | Evaluation results for proposals: three months from the deadline. |
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—

Evaluation results for proposals: three months from the deadline.

| — | Contract signature: it is estimated that the first contracts related to this call will come into force seven months after the deadline for submission of proposals. |
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Contract signature: it is estimated that the first contracts related to this call will come into force seven months after the deadline for submission of proposals.

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(1)  Proposals should specify only one activity code (PATH 1, PATH 2, PATH 3, PATH 4, PATH 5), to ensure allocation to the correct evaluation stream. In ambiguous cases, the Commission will allocate proposals to the activity it considers the most appropriate.

(2)  STREP = Specific Targeted Research Project; CA = Coordination Action; SSA = Specific Support Action.

(3)  MS = Member States of the EU; AS (incl. ACC) = Associated States; ACC: Associated candidate countries.

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