Designed to encourage academic and professional economists from central European countries to participate actively by presenting a paper in conferences in the European Union or vice versa. Only participants whose papers have been refereed and accepted by the conference organisers will be considered for funding. Designed to promote the exchange of economic knowledge, to advance scientific understanding and to stimulate the creation of networks through international seminars. Designed to encourage the organisation of international seminars in the Phare countries or the EU, with a preference for the former. In order for them to present and discuss their work, the seminars should bring together researchers, fellows and scholars from Phare countries and the EU, who study the economics of transition and the economic aspects of EU accession.
Grants cover the costs of organisation and dissemination.
Participants' travel, accommodation and subsistence costs will be covered and honoraria may be granted. Under Phare ACE 1998, a series of discussion papers will be published. Particularly good and policy relevant papers will be selected by panels of external experts in the process of the evaluation of ACE-funded projects. ACE funds may only be used for activities in the Phare partner countries and the Member States of the European Union. The selection procedure is based on a transparent and objective peer evaluation system, involving academic experts from both the central European countries and the European Union.