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)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 166(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions(3),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty(4),
Whereas:
(1) For the fulfilment of the tasks laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty, Article 163 of the Treaty provides that the Community is to have the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community industry and encouraging it to become more competitive at international level, while promoting research activities deemed necessary by virtue of other Community policies.
(2) Article 164 of the Treaty enumerates the activities the Community is to carry out in pursuing these objectives, complementing the activities carried out in the Member States.
(3) The Treaty provides for the adoption of a multiannual framework programme setting out all Community research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) activities. This framework programme fully respects the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty.
(4) Pursuant to Article 165 of the Treaty, the Community and Member States are to coordinate their research and technological development activities so as to ensure that national policies and Community policy are mutually consistent.
(5) In 2000 the Commission submitted two communications, respectively on the prospects for and the objectives of creating a European Research Area, and on making a reality of the European Research Area and guidelines for European Union research activities in the period 2002 to 2006. In 2000 the Commission also submitted a communication on innovation in a knowledge-driven economy.
(6) The European Councils in Lisbon in March 2000, Santa Maria de Feira in June 2000 and Stockholm in March 2001 adopted conclusions aimed at the rapid establishment of a European research and innovation area with a view to sustainable economic growth, more employment and social cohesion with the ultimate goal of enabling the Union, by 2010, to become the world's most competitive and dynamic knowledge economy.
Building upon the obligation of Article 6 of the Treaty, the Göteborg European Council in June 2001 agreed on a strategy for sustainable development and added a third, environmental dimension to the Lisbon strategy.
In particular, the European Council in Lisbon underlined the importance of the Commission's e-Europe initiative, which aims at an information society for all, while the Stockholm European Council also stressed the need to make particular efforts in new technologies, especially biotechnology.
(7) The European Parliament(5)(6), the Council(7)(8), the Economic and Social Committee(9) and the Committee of the Regions(10) have also supported the creation of the European Research Area.
(8) On 19 October 2000 the Commission submitted the conclusions of the external assessment of the implementation and results of the Community activities carried out in the five years preceding that assessment, accompanied by its observations.
(9) The sixth framework programme should have a structuring effect on research and technological development in Europe, including the Member States, associated candidate countries and other associated countries and make a significant contribution to the establishment of the European Research Area and to innovation.
(10) In accordance with Article 166(1) of the Treaty, it is necessary to establish the scientific and technological objectives and to fix the relevant priorities for the activities envisaged, the maximum overall amount, the detailed rules for Community financial participation in the sixth framework programme, as well as the respective shares in each of the activities envisaged, and to indicate the broad lines of the activities in question, which will be implemented in compliance with the objective of protecting the Community's financial interests. It is important to ensure sound financial management of the sixth framework programme.
(11) It is appropriate to place special emphasis on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), bearing in mind the European Charter for Small Enterprises endorsed by the Feira European Council, whose principles and eighth line for action aim to strengthen the technological capacity of small enterprises, and to facilitate access to the best research and technology.
(12) The sixth framework programme should provide an important contribution, covering the full spectrum from basic to applied research, to the development of scientific and technical excellence and to the coordination of European research. The framework programme should stress the importance of involving associated candidate countries in the Community's research policy and in the European Research Area.
(13) Specific targeted projects and coordination actions may also be used as a "stairway of excellence" to facilitate the access of smaller research actors of scientific excellence, including SMEs, as well as research actors from associated candidate countries, to the activities of this framework programme.
(14) The participation of the outermost regions in Community RTD actions through appropriate mechanisms adapted to their particular situation should be facilitated.
(15) The international and global dimension in European research activities is important in the interest of obtaining mutual benefits. The sixth framework programme is open to the participation of countries having concluded the necessary agreements to this effect, and is also open on the project level, and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific cooperation. Specific activities will be undertaken in support of participation of scientists and institutions from developing countries, Mediterranean countries including the western Balkans as well as Russia and the new independent states (NIS).
(16) The Joint Research Centre should contribute to the implementation of the framework programme, where it can provide independent, customer-driven support for the formulation and implementation of Community policies, including the monitoring of implementation of such policies, in the areas of its specific competence.
(17) Research activities carried out within the sixth framework programme should respect fundamental ethical principles, including those which are reflected in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union and in the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union.
(18) Following the Commission communication "A mobility strategy within the European Research Area", the mobility of researchers will be promoted, with a view to the successful creation of the European Research Area.
(19) Following the Commission communication "Women and Science" and the Resolutions of the Council of 20 May 1999(11) and 26 June 2001(12) and the Resolution of the European Parliament of 3 February 2000(13) on this theme, an action plan is being implemented in order to reinforce and increase the place and role of women in science and research, and further enhanced action is needed.
(20) The Commission should submit regular progress reports to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the sixth framework programme. It is also appropriate that the Commission, in good time and before submitting its proposal for the seventh framework programme, has an independent assessment carried out of the implementation of the activities undertaken, bearing in mind the contribution of the sixth framework programme to the creation of the European Research Area, which should be done in a spirit of openness with respect to all the relevant actors.
(21) Implementation of the sixth framework programme may give rise to the participation of the Community in programmes undertaken by several Member States or to the setting up of joint undertakings or other arrangements within the meaning of Articles 169 to 171 of the Treaty.
(22) The Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) has been consulted,
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
1. A multiannual framework programme for Community research, technological development and demonstration activities, hereinafter referred to as the "sixth framework programme" is hereby adopted for the period 2002 to 2006.
2. The sixth framework programme shall comprise all Community activities envisaged in Article 164 of the Treaty.
3. The sixth framework programme shall contribute to the creation of the European Research Area and to innovation.
4. Annex I sets out the scientific and technological objectives and the related priorities and indicates the broad lines of the activities envisaged.
Article 2
1. The maximum overall amount for Community financial participation in the entire sixth framework programme shall be EUR 16270 million. The proportion assigned to each of the activities is fixed in Annex II.
2. The detailed rules for financial participation by the Community shall be governed by the Financial Regulation applicable to the General Budget of the European Communities, supplemented by Annex III.
Article 3
All the research activities carried out under the sixth framework programme must be carried out in compliance with fundamental ethical principles.
Article 4
In the context of the annual report to be submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 173 of the Treaty, the Commission shall report in detail on progress with implementing the sixth framework programme, and in particular progress towards achieving its objectives and meeting its priorities as set out under each heading of Annex I; information on financial aspects and the use of the instruments shall also be included.
Article 5
The sixth framework programme shall be implemented through specific programmes. These programmes shall establish precise objectives and the detailed rules for implementation.
Article 6
1. The Commission shall continually and systematically monitor, with the help of independent qualified experts, the implementation of the sixth framework programme and its specific programmes.
2. Before submitting its proposal for the next framework programme, the Commission shall have an external assessment carried out by independent highly qualified experts of the implementation and achievements of Community activities during the five years preceding that assessment.
The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, accompanied by its observations, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
Done at Luxembourg, 27 June 2002.