# C_2005177EN.01003401.xml

| 19.7.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 177/34 |
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19.7.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 177/34

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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 sub-priority area: ‘Global Change and Ecosystems’

Call identifier: FP6-2005-Global-4

(2005/C 177/15)

| 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.

4

| 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

5

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 the 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 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, 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 |
| Internet address: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=211 |
| Email address: rtd-sustainable@cec.eu.int rtd-sustainable@cec.eu.int |

4.

The Commission makes available 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, 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

Internet address: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cfm?CALL_ID=211

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

Email 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 in writing to one of the following addresses:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Mr Thierry Prost |
| Directorate General RTD |
| CDMA 3/133 |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Email address: Thierry.Prost@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 in writing to one of the following addresses:

8

European Commission

Mr Thierry Prost

Directorate General RTD

CDMA 3/133

B-1049 Brussels

Email address: Thierry.Prost@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 (e.g. 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. | 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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8.

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.

1

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

2

(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 and C(2005)2747, all decisions unpublished.

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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ANNEX

FP6-2005-Global-4

Call information

1.   Specific Programme: Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area

2.   Activity: Priority thematic area ‘Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems’; Sub-Priority ‘Global Change and Ecosystems’

3.   Call title: Thematic call in the area of ‘Global Change and Ecosystems’

4.   Call identifier: FP6-2005-Global-4

5.   Date of publication (1):

6.   Closure date(s): For IP and NOE: 3 November 2005 (first stage) at 17:00 (Brussels local time). For STREP and CA: 3 November 2005, at 17:00 (Brussels local time). For SSA: 3 November 2005, at 17:00 (Brussels local time) (please see also No 12 Proposal submission and evaluation procedure).

7.   Total indicative budget: EUR 205 million

8.   Areas called and Instruments:

| Area | Topic | Instrument | Indicative Community contribution
  (EUR million) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Area 6.3.I: | Impact and mechanisms of greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollutants on climate, ozone depletion and carbon sinks |

Area

Topic

Instrument

Indicative Community contribution

(EUR million)

Area 6.3.I:

Impact and mechanisms of greenhouse gas emissions and atmospheric pollutants on climate, ozone depletion and carbon sinks

I.1.1

STREPs/CA

—

I.2.1

STREPs/CA

—

I.2.2

IP

10

I.3.1

IP

10

I.3.2

STREPs/CA

—

| Area 6.3.II: | Water cycle, including soil-related aspects |
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Area 6.3.II:

Water cycle, including soil-related aspects

II.1.1

IP

10

II.1.2

STREPs/CA

—

II.2.1

STREPs/CA

—

II.3.1

STREPs/CA

—

II.3.2

STREPs

—

II.3.3

STREPs/CA

—

II.3.4

STREPs/CA

—

II.3.5

STREPs/CA

—

II.3.6

STREPs/CA

—

II.3.7

STREPs/CA

—

II.3.8

CA

—

II.4.1

IP

7

| Area 6.3.III: | Biodiversity and ecosystems |
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Area 6.3.III:

Biodiversity and ecosystems

III.1.1

IP

7

III.1.2

IP

10

III.2.1

CA

—

| Area 6.3.IV: | Mechanisms of desertification and natural disasters |
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Area 6.3.IV:

Mechanisms of desertification and natural disasters

IV.1.1

IP

7

IV.2.1

STREPs/CA

—

IV.2.2

STREPs/CA

—

| Area 6.3.V: | Strategies for sustainable land management, including coastal zones, agricultural land and forests |
| --- | --- |

Area 6.3.V:

Strategies for sustainable land management, including coastal zones, agricultural land and forests

V.1.1

IP

7

V.1.2

STREPs/CA

—

V.1.3

IP

10

| Area 6.3.VI: | Operational forecasting and modelling including global climatic change observation systems |
| --- | --- |

Area 6.3.VI:

Operational forecasting and modelling including global climatic change observation systems

VI.1.1

NOE

7

VI.1.2

IP

7

VI.1.3

IP

7

VI.1.4

STREPs/CA

—

| Area 6.3.VII: | Complementary research |
| --- | --- |

Area 6.3.VII:

Complementary research

VII.1.1

IP

10

VII.1.2

CA

—

VII.2.1

CA

—

VII.2.2

IP

5

VII.2.3

IP

5

| Area 6.3.VIII: | Cross-cutting issue: Sustainable Development concepts and tools |
| --- | --- |

Area 6.3.VIII:

Cross-cutting issue: Sustainable Development concepts and tools

VIII.1.1

IP

5

VIII.1.2

STREPs/CA

—

| Area 6.3.IX: | Specific Support Actions |
| --- | --- |

Area 6.3.IX:

Specific Support Actions

IX

SSA

—

9.   Minimum number of participants (3):

| Instrument | Minimum number of participants |
| --- | --- |
| IP, NOE, STREP and CA | Three independent legal entities established in three different MS or AS, with at least two MS or ACC |
| SSA | 1 legal entity from a MS or AS |

Instrument

Minimum number of participants

IP, NOE, STREP and CA

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

SSA

1 legal entity from a MS or AS

10.   Restrictions to participation: None.

11.   Consortia agreements:

| — | Participants in IP and NOE resulting from this call are required to conclude a consortium agreement. |
| --- | --- |

—

Participants in IP and NOE resulting from this call are required to conclude a consortium agreement.

| — | Participants in STREP, CA, and SSA resulting from this call are encouraged, but not required, to conclude a consortium agreement. |
| --- | --- |

—

Participants in STREP, CA, and SSA resulting from this call are encouraged, but not required, to conclude a consortium agreement.

12.   Proposal submission and evaluation procedure:

| — | For IP and NOE the evaluation shall follow a two-stage procedure. First stage: An outline proposal consisting of a part A (4), and of a part B of a maximum of 15 pages for this stage (font size 12), addressing only a reduced set of the evaluation criteria i.e.:






  — | For IP: relevance, potential impact, and S/T excellence |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

For IP and NOE the evaluation shall follow a two-stage procedure. First stage: An outline proposal consisting of a part A (4), and of a part B of a maximum of 15 pages for this stage (font size 12), addressing only a reduced set of the evaluation criteria i.e.:

—

For IP: relevance, potential impact, and S/T excellence

| — | For NOE: relevance, degree of integration and the JPA |
| --- | --- |

—

For NOE: relevance, degree of integration and the JPA

shall be submitted at the closure date mentioned under item No 6 above. Proposals having passed the minimum thresholds required in the first stage (12 out of 15 for IP and 8 out of 10 for NOE) will be retained for the second stage (‘go’ proposals).

Second stage: Coordinators of ‘go’ proposals will be requested to provide a complete proposal, consisting of parts A and B, which will be evaluated against the whole set of evaluation criteria. The closure date for the second submission will be included in the invitation to complete the proposal (indicative closure date: 2 March 2006).

| — | For other instruments, the evaluation shall follow a single stage procedure. |
| --- | --- |

—

For other instruments, the evaluation shall follow a single stage procedure.

| — | The evaluation process may involve ‘remote’ evaluation of proposals by members of the evaluation panel and applicants may be invited to discuss their proposal with the evaluation panel. |
| --- | --- |

—

The evaluation process may involve ‘remote’ evaluation of proposals by members of the evaluation panel and applicants may be invited to discuss their proposal with the evaluation panel.

| — | Proposals will not be evaluated anonymously. |
| --- | --- |

—

Proposals will not be evaluated anonymously.

13.   Evaluation criteria: See Annex B of the work programme for the applicable criteria (including their individual weights and thresholds and the overall threshold) for each instrument.

14.   Indicative evaluation and contractual timetable:

| — | Evaluation results are expected to be available within two to three months after the closure date. |
| --- | --- |

—

Evaluation results are expected to be available within two to three months after the closure date.

| — | Conclusion of first contracts: it is estimated that the first contracts related to this call will be signed as from:






  — | June 2006 for STREP, CA and SSA; |
| --- | --- | --- |

—

Conclusion of first contracts: it is estimated that the first contracts related to this call will be signed as from:

—

June 2006 for STREP, CA and SSA;

| — | October 2006 for IP and NOE. |
| --- | --- |

—

October 2006 for IP and NOE.

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(1)  The Director-General responsible for the call may publish it up to one month prior to or after the envisaged date of publication.

(2)  IP = Integrated project; NOE = Network of excellence; 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.

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

(4)  For part A of IP and NOE outline proposals, only the co-ordinator shall fill in the requested forms with the details of its organisation and the overall project budget.

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