# C_2006038EN.01000901.xml

| 15.2.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 38/9 |
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15.2.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 38/9

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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’

Specific call to promote the participation of partners from Targeted Third Countries (1) in projects for which contracts are already signed or under negotiation in priority thematic areas of research

1

Call identifiers: FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-1; FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-3; FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-4; FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-5; FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-6-1; FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-6-2; FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-6-3; FP6-2006-TTC-TU-Priority-7

(2006/C 38/08)

| 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) (2), 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) (3) (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 (4) (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) (5) (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) (2), 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) (3) (referred to as ‘the specific programme’).

2

3

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 (4) (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.

4

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) (5) (referred to as ‘the rules for participation’), proposals for indirect RTD actions should be submitted under the terms of calls for proposals.

5

| 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 (6) (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 (7).
  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 (6) (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.

6

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 (7).

7

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 (8). 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 |
| --- | --- |
| Research Directorate-General |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Fax: (32-2) 296 62 52 |
| Email address: inco@cec.eu.int |
| Internet address: http://cordis.europa.eu.int/ |

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 (8). 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:

8

European Commission

Research Directorate-General

B-1049 Brussels

Fax: (32-2) 296 62 52

Email address: inco@cec.eu.int

Email address

Internet address: http://cordis.europa.eu.int/

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 (9)). In exceptional cases, however, a co-ordinator 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 |
| --- | --- |
| Unit N 2 |
| Directorate General RTD |
| SDME 1/21 |
| B-1049 Brussels |
| Email address: inco@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 (9)). In exceptional cases, however, a co-ordinator 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:

9

European Commission

Unit N 2

Directorate General RTD

SDME 1/21

B-1049 Brussels

Email address: inco@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 must be prepared 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 on-line usage) is available via the Cordis website http://cordis.europa.eu.int/

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)  Targeted Third Countries as defined in Annex C to SP1.

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

2

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

3

(4)  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, C(2005) 4006, C(2005) 4008, C(2005) 5588 and C(2006) 393 all decisions unpublished.

4

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

5

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

6

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

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

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

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ANNEX

1.   Specific programme: Integrating and Strengthening the European Research Area.

2.   Thematic priority/domain: Thematic priority/areas listed below.

3.   Call title: Specific call to promote the participation of partners from Targeted Third Countries (1) in projects for which contracts are already signed or under negotiation in priority thematic areas of research.

4.   Call identifier:

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-1 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-1

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-3 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-3

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-4 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-4

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-5 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-5

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-6-1 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-6-1

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-6-2 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-6-2

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-6-3 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-6-3

| | FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-7 |
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FP6-2006- TTC-TU-Priority-7

5.   Date of publication:

6.   Closure date: 16 May 2006 at 17.00 (Brussels local time).

7.   Total indicative budget: EUR 20 million (2):

The indicative budget available for each priority is mentioned below:

Priority 1: Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health: EUR 3 million

Priority 3: Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences: EUR 3,6 million

Priority 4: Aeronautics EUR 1,9 million

Priority 5: Food quality and safety: EUR 2,5 million

Priority 6.1: Sustainable development- Sustainable Energy systems: EUR 3,2 million

Priority 6.2: Sustainable development — Sustainable Surface transport: EUR 1,1 million

Priority 6.3: Sustainable development- Global change and ecosystems: EUR 3,7 million

Priority 7: Citizens and governance in a knowledge based society: EUR 1 million

8.   Area and instruments: Priority 1: Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health; Priority: 3: Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences; Priority 4: Aeronautics; Priority 5: Food quality and safety; Priority 6-1: Sustainable development- Sustainable Energy systems; Priority 6-2: Sustainable development — Sustainable Surface transport; Priority 6-3: Sustainable development- Global change and ecosystems; Priority 7: Citizens and governance in a knowledge based society.

Area: see in annex F, details of areas in the above mentioned priorities, for projects with a remaining duration of at least 18 months on 16 May 2006, or under negotiation at the moment of the publication.

Instruments
   (3): NoE, IP, STREP, CA, SSA

9.   Minimum number of participation: Coordinator of the ongoing/under negotiation contract plus at least one participant from one or more Targeted Third Countries (TTC).

10.   Restriction to participation: Only TTC partners are eligible together with the coordinator of a project for which contract has already been signed or is under negotiation.

Proposals for partnership extension should be submitted by the co-ordinator, acting on behalf of the Consortium of a project for which contract has already been signed or is under negotiation, together with the new participant(s) from the TTC.

For contracts already signed, the remaining duration of the existing contract at the day of closure of the call must be at least 18 months. For contracts under negotiation, decision to grant EC funding shall depend on the successful conclusion of the contract under negotiation.

Only TTC partners will be eligible for funding together with the coordinator who could be funded for management cost. Funding of management cost of TTC partners together with management cost for the coordinator are limited to 7 % of the Community contribution.

11.   Consortium agreement: Any existing consortium agreement related to projects where the TTC is added has to be updated.

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: The following set of evaluation criteria will be applicable:

for IP, STREP, CA, SSA:

| 1. | S&T excellence (for IP and STREP) /Quality of the coordination (for CA) /Quality of the support action (for SSA) (threshold score 3 out of 5)

  The extent to which:






  — | the proposal has clearly defined and well focused objectives in line with the ongoing project. |
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1.

S&T excellence (for IP and STREP) /Quality of the coordination (for CA) /Quality of the support action (for SSA) (threshold score 3 out of 5)

The extent to which:

—

the proposal has clearly defined and well focused objectives in line with the ongoing project.

| — | the proposed S&T tasks of the new participants are likely to complement and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the project. |
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—

the proposed S&T tasks of the new participants are likely to complement and contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the project.

| 2. | Quality of the consortium (threshold score 3 out of 5) (not applicable for SSA)

  The extent to which:






  — | the new participants contribute to the consortium. |
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2.

Quality of the consortium (threshold score 3 out of 5) (not applicable for SSA)

The extent to which:

—

the new participants contribute to the consortium.

| — | the new participants are well-suited and committed to the tasks assigned to them. |
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—

the new participants are well-suited and committed to the tasks assigned to them.

| — | there is good complementarity between the new and original participants. |
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—

there is good complementarity between the new and original participants.

| 3. | Quality of the management (threshold score 3 out of 5)

  The extent to which:






  — | the project management is demonstrably of high quality in terms of integration of the new participants. |
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3.

Quality of the management (threshold score 3 out of 5)

The extent to which:

—

the project management is demonstrably of high quality in terms of integration of the new participants.

| 4. | Mobilisation of resources (threshold score 3 out of 5)

  The extent to which:






  — | the proposal foresees the resources for the new participants (personnel, equipment, financial...) necessary for success. |
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4.

Mobilisation of resources (threshold score 3 out of 5)

The extent to which:

—

the proposal foresees the resources for the new participants (personnel, equipment, financial...) necessary for success.

| — | the resources are convincingly integrated. |
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—

the resources are convincingly integrated.

for NoE:

| 1. | Excellence of the participants (threshold score 3 out of 5)

  The extent to which:






  — | the new participants are currently conducting excellent research relevant to the topic of the network or are capable of important contributions to the joint programme of activities. |
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1.

Excellence of the participants (threshold score 3 out of 5)

The extent to which:

—

the new participants are currently conducting excellent research relevant to the topic of the network or are capable of important contributions to the joint programme of activities.

| — | the new participants are well suited to the tasks assigned to them. |
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—

the new participants are well suited to the tasks assigned to them.

| 2. | Degree of integration and the joint programme of activities (threshold score 3 out of 5)

  The extent to which:






  — | the joint programme of activities takes sufficient account of the new participants to achieve the expected degree of integration. |
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2.

Degree of integration and the joint programme of activities (threshold score 3 out of 5)

The extent to which:

—

the joint programme of activities takes sufficient account of the new participants to achieve the expected degree of integration.

| — | the new partners' participating organisations have made a convincing commitment towards a deep and durable integration continuing beyond the period of Community support. |
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—

the new partners' participating organisations have made a convincing commitment towards a deep and durable integration continuing beyond the period of Community support.

| 3. | Organisation and management (threshold score 3 out of 5)

  The extent to which:






  — | the organisational structure of the network integrates the new participants. |
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3.

Organisation and management (threshold score 3 out of 5)

The extent to which:

—

the organisational structure of the network integrates the new participants.

| — | the resources for the new participants are convincingly integrated. |
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—

the resources for the new participants are convincingly integrated.

14.   Indicative evaluation and selection timetable:

| — | Evaluation results: two months after the relevant closure date mentioned in point 6. |
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—

Evaluation results: two months after the relevant closure date mentioned in point 6.

| — | Contract signature: 6 months after the relevant closure date mentioned in point 6. |
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—

Contract signature: 6 months after the relevant closure date mentioned in point 6.

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(1)  Annex C.

(2)  Up to 20 million EUR, subject to the availability of funds.

(3)  NoE = Network of Excellence, IP = Integrated Project, STREP = Specific Targeted Research Project, CA = Coordination Action, SSA = Specific Support Action.

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