# C_2005322EN.01002201.xml

| 17.12.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 322/22 |
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17.12.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 322/22

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

Science and Society: René Descartes Prizes

Call identifier: FP6-2005-Science and Society-18

(2005/C 322/14)

| 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: ‘Structuring 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 30 September 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: ‘Structuring 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 30 September 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 date 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 date 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).

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.

| 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 call, can be obtained from the Commission via the following addresses:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| The FP6 Information Desk |
| Directorate General RTD |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Email: rtd-descartes@cec.eu.int |
| Internet address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/descartes/index_en.htm |

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 call, can be obtained from the Commission via the following addresses:

7

European Commission

The FP6 Information Desk

Directorate General RTD

B-1049 Brussels

Email: rtd-descartes@cec.eu.int

Internet address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/descartes/index_en.htm

| 5. | Proposals for indirect RTD actions under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) 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 the following address: rtd-descartes@cec.eu.int. 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.
  Proposals for indirect RTD actions under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) 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 under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) that are submitted on-line and which are incomplete, illegible or contain viruses will be excluded.
  Versions of proposals for indirect RTD actions under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) 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 under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) that has been allowed to be submitted on paper and which is incomplete will be excluded.
  Proposals for indirect RTD actions under 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication) can only, on the other hand, be submitted in paper form.
  Proposals for indirect RTD actions under 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication) must be prepared and submitted using the forms in the guide for proposers. |
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5.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) 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 the following address: rtd-descartes@cec.eu.int. 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.

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rtd-descartes@cec.eu.int

Proposals for indirect RTD actions under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) 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 under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) that are submitted on-line and which are incomplete, illegible or contain viruses will be excluded.

Versions of proposals for indirect RTD actions under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) 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 under area 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) that has been allowed to be submitted on paper and which is incomplete will be excluded.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions under 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication) can only, on the other hand, be submitted in paper form.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions under 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication) must be prepared and submitted using the forms in the guide for proposers.

| 6. | Proposals for indirect RTD actions under 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication) submitted by post must be received by the Commission at the following address, and labelled as follows:





  FP6–Research Proposals |
| --- | --- |
| FP6-2005-Science and Society 18 |
| European Commission |
| B-1049 Brussels |

6.

Proposals for indirect RTD actions under 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication) submitted by post must be received by the Commission at the following address, and labelled as follows:

FP6–Research Proposals

FP6-2005-Science and Society 18

European Commission

B-1049 Brussels

For deliveries by hand or by representatives (including by private courier services (9)), the delivery should be to the following address, and labelled as follows:

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| FP6–Research Proposals |
| --- |
| FP6-2005-Science and Society 18 |
| European Commission |
| Rue de Genève, 1 |
| B-1140 Brussels |

FP6–Research Proposals

FP6-2005-Science and Society 18

European Commission

Rue de Genève, 1

B-1140 Brussels

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

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

| 7. | 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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7.

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.

| 8. | 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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8.

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.

| 9. | 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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9.

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

| 10. | 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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10.

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. 44.

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(3)  Commission Decision C(2002)4791, as amended by Commission Decisions C(2003)635, C(2003)998, C(2003)1951, C(2003)2708, C(2003)4571, C(2004)48, C(2004)3330, C(2004)4726, C(2005)969, C(2005)1447, C(2005)3190 and C(2005)4206, all 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)3337 of 1.9.2004.

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

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(9)  Users of courier services that ask for the recipient's telephone number should give the following number: (32-2) 299 11 11 (contact Ms. Maxwell or Ms Ritter ).

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ANNEX

1.   Specific programme: Structuring the ERA

2.   Activity: Science and Society

3.   Call title: René Descartes Prizes 2006

4.   Call identifier: FP6-2005-Science-and-society-18

5.   Date of publication:

6.   Closure dates: 4 May 2006, 17:00 (Brussels local time).

7.   Total indicative budget: EUR 1,425 million

8.   Area and instruments: Proposals are invited in the following topics. The table gives short titles only. For a full description of the topics, applicants must refer to the Science and Society work programme.

9.   Minimum number of participants (2):

| Instrument | Minimum number |
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| SSA 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research) | Two legal entities from two different MS or AS, and including at least one MS or ACC |
| SSA 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication) | 1 legal entity from 1 MS or AS |

Instrument

Minimum number

SSA 4.3.4.2(a)(i): Descartes Prize (research)

Two legal entities from two different MS or AS, and including at least one MS or ACC

SSA 4.3.4.2(a)(ii): Descartes Prize (communication)

1 legal entity from 1 MS or AS

10.   Restriction to participation: Providing the conditions set out below are satisfied, any legal entity established in a third country not covered by Article 6(2) of the Rules for Participation (entities in countries having concluded an S&T agreement with the Community may participate by right) may participate in this call providing that such an involvement would be beneficial or essential to the proposed activity, and is over and above the specified minimum number of participants from Member State or associated countries.

For the Descartes research Prize (4.3.4.2(a)(i)):

Research teams or nominating bodies can only present one project per proposal.

For the Descartes communication Prize (4.3.4.2(a)(ii)):

The evaluation may only apply to achievements related to the awarded prize, not to results obtained in the meantime.

The candidate shall have received a scientific communication prize

The proposal shall be submitted by the organisation which has awarded the prize to this candidate

The organisation can only present one candidate per proposal.

A copy of the prize certificate shall be handed in with the proposal

A proposal will not be evaluated unless all these eligibility criteria are satisfied.

11.   Consortium agreement: Participants in RTD actions resulting from this call are not required to conclude a consortium agreement.

12.   Evaluation procedure:

| — | The evaluation shall follow a single stage procedure |
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—

The evaluation shall follow a single stage procedure

| — | Proposals will not be evaluated anonymously |
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—

Proposals will not be evaluated anonymously

13.   Evaluation criteria: For the René Descartes Prize (research), topic 4.3.4.2(a)(i) of the present Work Programme, the following evaluation criteria will apply:

| — | quality and novelty of the results achieved; |
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—

quality and novelty of the results achieved;

| — | contribution to addressing key scientific and technological issues. |
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—

contribution to addressing key scientific and technological issues.

| — | The extent to which the results of the research can only be achieved if carried out at European level and beyond; |
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—

The extent to which the results of the research can only be achieved if carried out at European level and beyond;

Overall threshold score after application of the weightings: 17 out of 20.

For the René Descartes Prize (communication), topic 4.3.4.2(a)(ii) of the present Work Programme, the following evaluation criteria will apply:

| — | Adequacy, competence and innovativeness of the technical means invested in the communication, |
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—

Adequacy, competence and innovativeness of the technical means invested in the communication,

| — | Accuracy, appropriateness and soundness of the scientific content |
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—

Accuracy, appropriateness and soundness of the scientific content

| — | Effectiveness of the communication activity in raising the profile of science, engineering or technology, seen through the eyes of the intended public |
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—

Effectiveness of the communication activity in raising the profile of science, engineering or technology, seen through the eyes of the intended public

| — | Capability of the science communication action to address the main concerns and/or expectations of the European society |
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Capability of the science communication action to address the main concerns and/or expectations of the European society

| — | Capability of the communication activity, or of the professional engaged in communication, to offer a model for its transposition into different cultural backgrounds |
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Capability of the communication activity, or of the professional engaged in communication, to offer a model for its transposition into different cultural backgrounds

| — | Capability of the communication activity or of the professional engaged in communication, to open new lines of thoughts and trigger subsequent initiatives in a wider context. |
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—

Capability of the communication activity or of the professional engaged in communication, to open new lines of thoughts and trigger subsequent initiatives in a wider context.

Overall threshold score: 16 out of 20 (after the application of the weighting)

14.   Indicative evaluation and selection delays:

| — | Evaluation results: Estimated to be within 6 months after the closure date |
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—

Evaluation results: Estimated to be within 6 months after the closure date

| — | Conclusion of grant letters: It is estimated that the prizes will be awarded before the end of 2006. |
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—

Conclusion of grant letters: It is estimated that the prizes will be awarded before the end of 2006.

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(1)   STREP = Specific targeted research project; CA = Coordination action; SSA = Specific support action.

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

Any legal entity established in a Member State or Associated State and which is made up of the requested number of participant may be the sole participant in an indirect action.

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