14. 3. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 64/3 
Commission communication concerning participation in the RTD programme in the field of 
environmental protection 
STEP (Science and Technology for Environmental Protection) 
(1989 to 1992) 
Call for proposals 
(90/C 64/04) 
The Council of Ministers adopted a four-year RTD 
programme STEP (Science and Technology for Environ­
mental Protection). 
The main objective of STEP is the provision of scientific 
and technical support for the environmental policy of the 
Community, and for other relevant Community policies 
such as energy, agriculture, industry, aid to developing 
countries, both for the solution of short term policy 
questions and for the medium and long-term formulation 
of preventive and anticipatory policies. 
The budget for STEP is ECU 75 million. 
STEP covers nine broad research areas: 
1. Environment and human health; 
2. Assessment of risks associated with chemicals; 
3. Atmospheric processes and air quality; 
4. Water quality; 
5. Soil and groundwater protection; 
6. Ecosystem research; 
7. Protection and conservation of the European cultural 
heritage; 
8. Technologies for environmental protection; 
9. Major technological hazards. 
By this call for proposals, the Commission of the European 
Communities wishes to receive proposals for participation 
in the research by means of shared-cost contracts concerning 
research areas 1 and 2 only. 
Earlier calls for proposals concerned research in areas 3, 
4, 5 and 6 (OJ No C 248, 29. 9. 1989, p. 5; deadline 
29 December 1989) and in areas 7, 8 and 9 (OJ No 326, 
30. 12. 1989, p. 4; deadline 30 March 1990). 
Community contribution to shared-cost projects will not 
normally exceed 50 % of the full cost, the remainder of which is to be provided by the partners. In the case of 
universities and establishments of higher education, the 
Community may contribute up to 100 % of the 
additional costs. Projects should not be for more than 
three years. 
Proposals may be submitted by any natural or legal 
person (whether existing under public or private law), 
institution, or association of persons, within the territory 
of a Member State. 
Research projects acceptable for funding should be based 
on cooperation between natural or legal persons, 
institutions or associations belonging to more than one 
Member State. 
The cooperation between partners can also be realized 
according to the form of a European Economic Interest 
Grouping (EEIG) formed following the conditions and 
terms described in the Regulation No 2137/85 of the 
Council dated 25 July 1985 (OJ No L 199, 31. 7. 1985, 
p. 1). 
Proposals must reach the Commission at the address given 
below by 5. p.m. on 15 June 1990. 
All proposals will be treated in strict confidence. 
Further details about the programme and on how to 
apply are given in the STEP information file. This file 
also contains the standard application form and notes for 
applicants and may be obtained on written request at the 
following address: 
Commission of the European Communities, 
Directorate-General for Science, Research and Devel­
opment, 
STEP Programme, 
Directorate XII/E-1, 
75 Rue Montoyer, 
B-1040 Brussels, 
Telex: 21877 COMEU B 
Telefax: 2-236 30 24.