# C_2004296EN.01000901.xml

| 1.12.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 296/9 |
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1.12.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 296/9

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

Activity: thematic priority area: information society technologies

Call identifier: FP6-2004-IST-4

Call identifier: FP6-2002-IST-C

(2004/C 296/04)

| 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 to 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 to 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 calls for proposals for indirect RTD actions (referred to as the calls) comprise the present general part and the specific conditions that are described in the annexes. The annexes indicate 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 calls for proposals for indirect RTD actions (referred to as the calls) comprise the present general part and the specific conditions that are described in the annexes. The annexes indicate 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.

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 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 calls 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 address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| The IST Information Desk |
| Directorate-General INFSO |
| BU31 1/19 |
| B-1049 Brussels, Belgium |
| E-mail address: ist@cec.eu.int |
| Internet address: www.cordis.lu/ist |

4.

The Commission makes available to proposers guides for proposers relating to the calls 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 address:

7

European Commission

The IST Information Desk

Directorate-General INFSO

BU31 1/19

B-1049 Brussels, Belgium

E-mail address: ist@cec.eu.int

Internet address: www.cordis.lu/ist

| 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 |
| --- | --- |
| The IST Information Desk |
| Directorate General INFSO |
| BU31 1/19 |
| B-1049 Brussels, Belgium |
| E-mail address: ist@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:

8

European Commission

The IST Information Desk

Directorate General INFSO

BU31 1/19

B-1049 Brussels, Belgium

E-mail address: ist@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.

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, and C(2004) 2002, 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.

5

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

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(7)  C(2003) 883 of 27 March 2003, as last modified by C(2004) 1855 of 18 May 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 I

CALL 4 OF THE IST PRIORITY

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

2.   Thematic priority/domain: Information Society Technologies (IST)

3.   Call title: Call 4 of the IST priority

4.   Call identifier: FP6-2004-IST-4

5.   Date of publication:

6.   Closure date: 22 March 2005 at 17.00 (Brussels local time)

7.   Total indicative budget: EUR 1 120 million

8.   Areas and instruments: Proposals are invited to address the following objectives:

9.   Minimum number of participants
   (5):

| Instrument | Minimum number |
| --- | --- |
| IPs, NoEs, STREPs and CAs | Three independent legal entities from three different MS or AS, with at least two MS or ACC |
| Specific support actions | One legal entity |

Instrument

Minimum number

IPs, NoEs, STREPs and CAs

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

Specific support actions

One legal entity

10.   Restriction to participation: none.

11.   Consortium agreement: participants in RTD actions resulting from this call are required to conclude a consortium agreement.

12.   Evaluation procedure: the evaluation shall follow a one-stage procedure. Proposals will not be evaluated anonymously.

13.   Evaluation criteria: see the section on evaluation criteria in section 4 of the IST 2005 to 2006 Work Programme (6).

14.   Indicative evaluation and selection delays: evaluation results are estimated to be available within two months of the closure date.

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(1)  IP = Integrated projects; NoE = Network of excellence; STREP = Specific targeted research project; CA = Coordination action; SSA = Specific support action.

(2)  New instruments: IPs and NoEs.

(3)  Traditional instruments: STREPs, SSAs and CAs.

(4)  The amount accounts for 90 % of the budget pre-allocated to the Strategic objectives.

(5)  MS = Member States of the EU; AS (including 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.

(6)  See IST on http://www.cordis.lu/ist/workprogramme/fp6_workprogramme.htm

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ANNEX II

CONTINUOUS SUBMISSION CALL (EXTENSION OF CALL FP6-2002-IST-C)

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

2.   Thematic priority/domain: Information Society Technologies (IST)

3.   Call title: Future and emerging technologies – Open domain (Continuous submission)

4.   Call identifier: FP6-2002-IST-C

5.   Date of publication:

6.   Closure date: 5 January 2005 at 17.00 (Brussels local time) for CA, SSA proposals and for short STREP proposals. Successful short STREP proposals that could not be invited to submit a full proposal for a cut-off date in 2004 will be invited to submit a full STREP proposal by a cut-off date of 5 January 2005 or 10 May 2005.

7.   Total indicative budget: the budget of EUR 60 million indicated in Call FP6-2002-IST-C, which is expected to be committed for successful proposals submitted by the cut-off dates up to and including 14 September 2004, is supplemented with an additional EUR 39 million (1) (to cover CA, SSA and STREP full proposals submitted by the cut-off/closure date of 5 January 2005 and STREP full proposals submitted by the cut-off date of 10 May 2005). Indicatively, the additional budget will be evenly spread among the two cut-off dates in 2005.

8.   Areas and instruments: The domain is open for actions using the following instruments:

9.   Minimum number of participants
   (3):

| Objective | Minimum number |
| --- | --- |
| STREPs and CAs | Three independent legal entities from three different MS or AS, with at least two MS or ACC |
| Specific support actions | One legal entity |

Objective

Minimum number

STREPs and CAs

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

Specific support actions

One legal entity

10.   Restriction to participation: none

11.   Consortium agreement: It is not mandatory that participants in RTD actions resulting from this call conclude a consortium agreement although such agreements are strongly recommended.

12.   Evaluation procedure:

| — | proposals for STREPs have to be submitted in two stages: first a short proposal of maximum five pages is submitted describing the key objectives and motivation for the proposed work. Final closing date for the submission of short STREP proposals is 5 January 2005, |
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proposals for STREPs have to be submitted in two stages: first a short proposal of maximum five pages is submitted describing the key objectives and motivation for the proposed work. Final closing date for the submission of short STREP proposals is 5 January 2005,

| — | short proposals are evaluated anonymously as they come in with the help of remote evaluators, |
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—

short proposals are evaluated anonymously as they come in with the help of remote evaluators,

| — | if the short proposal is successful, the proposers are invited to submit a full proposal by a specified cut-off date. Proposers of successful short proposals will be given at least two months for preparing full proposals. The evaluation of full proposals is not anonymous and is carried out through a combination of remote evaluation and panels of experts that convene in Brussels, |
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—

if the short proposal is successful, the proposers are invited to submit a full proposal by a specified cut-off date. Proposers of successful short proposals will be given at least two months for preparing full proposals. The evaluation of full proposals is not anonymous and is carried out through a combination of remote evaluation and panels of experts that convene in Brussels,

| — | proposals for CAs and SSAs are submitted in one stage and will not be evaluated anonymously. Final closing date for the submission of CAs and SSAs is 5 January 2005, |
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—

proposals for CAs and SSAs are submitted in one stage and will not be evaluated anonymously. Final closing date for the submission of CAs and SSAs is 5 January 2005,

| — | cut-off dates for the submission of the full proposals for STREPs (second stage) in 2005: 5 January 2005 and 10 May 2005. |
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—

cut-off dates for the submission of the full proposals for STREPs (second stage) in 2005: 5 January 2005 and 10 May 2005.

13.   Evaluation criteria: see the criteria for FET open in the section on evaluation criteria in paragraph 4.3 of the IST 2005-06 Work Programme (4) and the weights and thresholds below.

14.   Indicative evaluation and selection delays:

| — | Evaluation results for short proposals: two months from a proposal's reception, |
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—

Evaluation results for short proposals: two months from a proposal's reception,

| — | Evaluation results for full proposals: two months from the cut-off or closure date. |
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—

Evaluation results for full proposals: two months from the cut-off or closure date.

Weights and thresholds for FET open

Specific targeted research projects

SHORT PROPOSALS

| Criteria | Relevance to the objectives of the programme | Potential Impact | S & T excellence | Quality of the consortium | Quality of the management | Mobilisation of resources | Overall |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 30 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 10 | |
| Threshold | 3 | 3 | 3 | - | - | 2 | 3.5 |

Criteria

Relevance to the objectives of the programme

Potential Impact

S & T excellence

Quality of the consortium

Quality of the management

Mobilisation of resources

Overall

Weight

30

30

30

0

0

10

Threshold

3

3

3

-

-

2

3.5

FULL PROPOSALS

| Weight | 0 | 30 | 40 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Threshold | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | - | 2 | 3.5 |

Weight

0

30

40

10

10

10

Threshold

3

3

4

3

-

2

3.5

Coordination actions

| Criteria | Relevance to the objectives of the programme | Quality of the coordination | Potential impact | Quality of the consortium | Quality of the management | Mobilisation of resources | Overall |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 10 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 10 | |
| Threshold | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3.5 |

Criteria

Relevance to the objectives of the programme

Quality of the coordination

Potential impact

Quality of the consortium

Quality of the management

Mobilisation of resources

Overall

Weight

10

20

30

20

10

10

Threshold

3

3

4

3

3

2

3.5

Specific support actions

| Criteria | Support to the objectives of the Programme | Quality of the support action | Potential impact | Quality of the management | Mobilisation of resources | Overall |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 10 | 20 | 40 | 20 | 10 | |
| Threshold | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 |

Criteria

Support to the objectives of the Programme

Quality of the support action

Potential impact

Quality of the management

Mobilisation of resources

Overall

Weight

10

20

40

20

10

Threshold

3

3

4

3

3

3.5

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(1)  The amount for FET open accounts for 100 % of the pre-allocated budget.

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

(3)  MS = Member States of the EU; AS (including 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)  See IST on http://www.cordis.lu/ist/workprogramme/fp6_workprogramme.htm

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