L 400/270 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 COUNCIL DECISION 
of 19 December 2006 
concerning the specific programme "People"  
implementing the Seventh Framework Programme 
of the European Community for research,  
technological development and demons tration activities (2007 to 2013)  
(Text with EEA relevance) 
(2006/973/EC) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro pean Community, and in pa rticular Article 166(4) 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament1, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Eu ropean Economic and Social Committee2, 
                                                 
1 Opinion of 30 November 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). 
2 OJ C 185, 8.8.2006, p. 10. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/271 
 Whereas: 
(1) In accordance with Article 166(3) of the Treaty, Decision No 967/2006/EC of the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 concerning the Seventh 
Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological 
development and demonstra tion activities (2007-2013) 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the 
Framework Programme")  is to be implemen ted through specific programmes that define 
detailed rules for their implementation, fi x their duration and provide for the means 
deemed necessary. 
(2) The Framework Programme is structured in four types of activities: trans-national 
cooperation on policy-defined themes ("Cooperati on"), investigator-driven research based 
on the initiative of the resear ch community ("Ideas"), s upport of training and career 
development of researchers ("People"), and s upport of research capac ities ("Capacities"). 
Activities under "People" as regards indir ect actions should be implemented by this 
specific programme. 
(3) The rules for the participati on of undertakings, research centr es and universities and for the 
dissemination of research results, for the fram ework programme (hereinafter referred to as 
"the rules for participation and dissemination") should apply to this specific programme. 
                                                 
1  OJ L 391, 30.12.2006. 
L 400/272 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 (4) The Framework Programme should complement  the activities carried out in the Member 
States as well as other Community actions that  are necessary for the overall strategic effort 
for the implementation of the Lisbon objectives , alongside in particular  those on structural 
funds, agriculture, education, training, cultu re, competitiveness and innovation, industry, 
health, consumer protection, employment,  energy, transport and environment. 
(5) Innovation and SME-related activities suppor ted under this Framework Programme should 
be complementary to those undertaken  under the Framework Programme for 
Competitiveness and Innovation which will contri bute to closing the gap between research 
and innovation, and promote all forms of innovation. 
(6) Implementation of the Framework Progr amme may give rise to supplementary 
programmes involving the pa rticipation of certain Member St ates only, the pa rticipation of 
the Community in programmes undertaken by seve ral Member States, or the setting up of 
joint undertakings or other arrangements w ithin the meaning of Articles 168, 169 and 171 
of the Treaty. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/273 
 (7) The international dimension is a fundamenta l component of human resources in research 
and development in Europe. As provided for unde r Article 170 of the Tr eaty, this specific 
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 participati on of entities from third countries and of international 
organisations for scientific cooperation. Moreove r, all actions, as well as dedicated actions 
in this specific programme ar e open to participation of indi vidual researchers from third 
countries. 
(8) Research activities carried out within th is programme should respect fundamental ethical 
principles, including those which are reflected in the Charter of  Fundamental Rights of the 
European Union. 
(9) The implementation of the Framework Progr amme should contribute towards promoting 
sustainable development. 
(10) Sound financial management of the Fram ework Programme and its implementation should 
be ensured in the most effective and user-f riendly manner possible, while ensuring legal 
certainty and the accessibility of the programme for all participants, in compliance with 
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the genera l budget of the European Communities
1 and 
Commission Regulation (E C, Euratom) 2342/20022 laying down detailed rules for the 
implementation of that Financial Regulation and any future amendments. 
                                                 
1 OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. 
2 OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as amen ded by Commission Regulation (EC, 
Euratom) No 1261/2005 (OJ L 201, 2.8.2005, p. 3). 
L 400/274 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 (11) Appropriate measures – proportionate to th e European Communities' financial interests - 
should be taken to monitor both the effectiven ess of the financial support granted and the 
effectiveness of the utilisation of these funds  in order to prevent irregularities and fraud 
and the necessary steps should be taken to re cover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly 
used in accordance with Council Regu lation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 
18 December 1995 on the protection of the Eur opean Communities' financial interests1, 
Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the 
European Communities' financial interest s against fraud and other irregularities
2 and 
Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European  Parliament and of the Council concerning 
investigations conducted by the Eu ropean Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)3. 
(12) The measures necessary for the implem entation of this Deci sion are essentially 
management measures, and should therefore be adopted by the management procedure 
provided for in Article 4 of Council Deci sion 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999, laying down 
the procedures for the exercise of impl ementing powers conferred on the Commission4. On 
the other hand research involving the use of  human embryos and human embryonic stem 
cells raises specific ethical issues, as describe d in Article 4 of this Decision. Therefore, 
measures for the financing of such projects should be adopted by th e regulatory procedure 
provided for in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC. 
                                                 
1 OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1. 
2 OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2. 
3 OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1. 
4 OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 
22.7.2006, p. 11). 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/275 
 (13) In the implementation of th is programme adequate attention needs to be paid to gender 
mainstreaming, as well as to, inter alia, the working conditions,  transparency of 
recruitment processes, and car eer development as regards the researchers recruited on 
projects and programmes funde d under the actions of this programme, for which the 
Commission Recommendation of  11 March 2005 on the European  Charter for Researchers 
and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitm ent of Researchers offers a reference 
framework, while respecting its voluntary nature. 
(14) This programme aims at creating a genuine  European labour market for researchers as a 
further development and implementation of the integrated strategy on human resources in research and development in Europe on the basis of the "Mobility Strategy for the ERA"
1 
and the  "Researchers in the ERA: one profession, multiple careers"2, and takes into account 
the Council conclusions on human re sources in R&D of 18 April 2005. 
(15) The "People" programme aims to increase the human R & D potential  in Europe in terms 
of both quality and quantity, including by recogni sing the 'profession' of researcher with a 
view to maintaining the excellence in basi c research and the organic development of 
technological research, and encouraging Eur opean researchers' mobility from, to and 
throughout Europe. Moreover, it should help to  provide the right conditions in order to 
attract the best foreign researchers to carry out research in Europe, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:  
                                                 
1 Communication from the Comm ission "A Mobility Strategy for the European Research 
Area" – COM(2001) 331, 20.6.2001 and Council Resolution 2001/C367/01. 
2 Communication from the Comm ission "Researchers in the European Research Area: one 
profession, multiple careers" – COM(2003) 436, 18.7.2003 – and Council 
Resolution 2003/C282/01. 
L 400/276 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 Article 1 
The Specific Programme "People" for Community  activities in the area of research and 
technological development, including demonstr ation activities, here inafter the "Specific 
Programme", is hereby adopted for the pe riod from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. 
Article 2 
The Specific Programme shall support the activities for "People", stimulating people to enter into 
the profession of researcher, stre ngthening, quantitativel y and qualitatively, the human potential in 
research and technology in Europe  including as regards the pote ntial of women. The activities 
supporting training and career develo pment of researchers, referred to as "Marie Curie Actions", 
shall focus on the key aspects of skills and career  development and strengthened links with national 
systems. 
The objectives and the broad lines of t hose activities are set out in Annex. 
Article 3 
The amount deemed necessary for the execu tion of the specific programme shall be 
EUR 4 750 million, of which less than 6 % sha ll be for the Commission's administrative 
expenditure. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/277 
 Article 4 
1. All research activities carried out under the Specific Programme shall be carried out in 
compliance with fundament al ethical principles. 
2. The following fields of research sha ll not be financed under this programme: 
– research activity aiming at human  cloning for reproductive purposes, 
– research activity intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings which 
could make such changes heritable1, 
– research activities intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of 
research or for the purpose of stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic 
cell nuclear transfer. 
3. Research on human stem cells, both adult and embryonic, may be financed, depending 
both on the contents of the scientific propos al and the legal framework of the Member 
State(s) involved. 
Any application for financing for research on human embryonic stem cells shall include, as 
appropriate, details of licensing and control meas ures that will be taken by the competent 
authorities of the Member States as well as de tails of the ethical approval(s) that will be 
provided. 
                                                 
1 Research relating to cancer treatme nt of the gonads may be financed. 
L 400/278 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 As regards the derivation of human embryonic stem cells, institutions, organisations and 
researchers shall be subject to  strict licensing and control in  accordance with the legal 
framework of the Member State(s) involved. 
4. The fields of research set out above sha ll be reviewed for the second phase of this 
programme (2010-2013) in the light  of scientific advances. 
Article 5 
1. The specific programme shall be impl emented by means of the funding schemes 
established in Annex III to the Framework Programme.  
2. The rules for participation and disseminati on shall apply to this specific programme. 
Article 6 
1. The Commission shall draw up a work progra mme for the implementation of the specific 
programme, setting out in great er detail the objectives and act ivities set out in Annex, the 
funding scheme to be used for the actions on which proposals are invited, and the timetable 
for implementation. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/279 
 2. The work programme shall take  account of relevant researc h, research training and career 
development activities carried  out by the Member States , associated countries and 
European and international organisations, and the achievement of European added value as 
well as the impact on industrial competitiven ess and the relevance for other Community 
policies. It shall be updated where appropriate. 
3. Proposals for indirect actions under the fundi ng schemes shall be evaluated and projects 
selected considering the criteria set out in Ar ticle 15(1b) of the rule s for participation and 
dissemination. 
4. The work programme may identify: 
(a) organisations that receive subscriptions in the form of a membership fee; (b) support actions for the activiti es of specific legal entities. 
Article 7 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for th e implementation of th e specific programme. 
2. The management procedure laid down in Arti cle 8(2) shall apply fo r the adoption of the 
following measures: 
(a) the work programme referred to in Artic le 6 including the funding schemes to be 
used, the content of the calls  for proposals as well as the evaluation and selection 
criteria to be applied; 
L 400/280 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 (b) the approval of the funding of activities re ferred to in Article 2, where the estimated 
amount of the Community contribution under this programme is equal to or more 
than EUR 0,6 million; 
(c) the drawing up of the terms of refere nce for the evaluations provided for in 
Articles 7(2) and 7(3) of the Framework Programme. 
3. The regulatory procedure laid down in Article  8(3) shall apply for the approval of the 
funding of activities involving the use of human embryos an d human embryonic stem cells. 
Article 8 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee 
2. Where reference is made to this paragra ph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall 
apply. 
The period laid down in Article  4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC sh all be set at two months. 
3. Where reference is made to this paragra ph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall 
apply. 
The period laid down in Article  5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC sh all be set at two months. 
4. The Commission shall regularly inform th e Committee of the overall progress of the 
implementation of the Specific Programme, a nd shall provide it with timely information on 
all RTD actions proposed or funded under this  programme as specified in Annex II. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/281 
 5. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. 
Article 9 
The Commission shall arrange for the independent monitoring, assessment and review provided for 
in Article 7 of the Framework Programme Deci sion to be conducted c oncerning the activities 
carried out in the fields c overed by the Specific Programme. 
Article 10 
This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal 
of the European Union. 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 19 December 2006. 
 For the Council 
 The President 
J. KORKEAOJA 
L 400/282 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 ANNEX I  
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES, 
BROAD LINES OF THE TH EMES AND ACTIVITIES 
Introduction 
One of the main competitive edges in science an d technology is the quantity and quality of its 
human resources. As a prerequisite for increasing  Europe's capacity and performance in research 
and technological development and for consolidati ng and further developing the European Research 
Area, the overall strategic aim of th is programme is to make Europe more attractive to researchers. 
This shall be done by pursuing a considerable structuring e ffect throughout Europe on the 
organisation, performance and quality of resear ch training, on the activ e career development of 
researchers, on knowledge-sharing th rough researchers between sector s and research organisations,  
on increasing partnership between industry and academia, and on strong participation by women 
and early-stage researchers in  research and development. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/283 
 The programme will be implemented by systema tic investments in people, mainly through a 
coherent set of "Marie Curie Actions", particular ly taking into account the European added-value in 
terms of their structuring effect on the European  Research Area. Building on the experience with 
the "Marie Curie Actions" under previous Fr amework Programmes, these actions address 
researchers in terms of their skills and competence development at all stages of their careers, from 
initial research training specifica lly intended for young people, to ca reer development and life-long 
training in the public and privat e sector. Mobility, both trans-na tional and intersectoral, is 
fundamental to this programme. Increasing the mobility of researcher s and strengthening the 
resources of those institutions wh ich attract researchers internati onally will encourage centres of 
excellence around the European Union. Recognition of experiences acquired in different sectors and 
countries, and adequate working conditions are al so key elements throughout the "Marie Curie 
Actions". Special measures to encourage early-s tage researchers and s upport early stages of 
scientific career, as well as meas ures to reduce the "brain drain", such as reintegration grants, will 
be introduced. 
The "Marie Curie Actions" are open to all domai ns of research and technological development 
addressed under the Treaty. Research fields are chosen freely by the applicants. Nevertheless the 
possibility is retained to targ et certain activities under the programme, for example regarding 
scientific disciplines and technolog ical areas, participating regions, types of research organisations 
and researcher population, in order to respond to the evolution of Eu rope's requirements in the area 
of research training, mobility, ca reer development and knowledge sh aring. To ensure training and 
mobility within new research and technology areas, appropriate coordination with other parts of the 
Framework Programme will be ensured, in cluding the possibility for joint calls.  
L 400/284 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 A strong participation by enterprise s, including SMEs, is considered  a crucial added value for this 
programme. The enhancement of industry-academia  cooperation in terms of research training, 
career development and knowledge sharing, taking into account the protection of intellectual 
property rights, is encouraged th roughout the "Marie Curie Actions ", while a dedicated action is 
addressing industry-academia pathways and partners hips, with special atte ntion being given to 
SMEs. 
The international dimension, as a fundamental co mponent of human resources in research and 
development in Europe, will be addressed in terms of career development without discrimination, as 
well as of strengthening and enri ching international cooperation th rough researchers and attracting 
research talent to Europe. The international dimensi on will be incorporated throughout the "Marie 
Curie Actions" and in addition will be subject to self-standing actions.  
Due account will be taken of the principles of sustainable development and gender equality. The 
programme aims to ensure gender mainstreaming by encouraging equal opport unities in all "Marie 
Curie Actions" and by benchmarking ge nder participation (a target of at least 40 % participation by 
women). In addition, the actions will be designed to  assist researchers to get established on a more 
stable career path and to ensure  that researchers can achieve an  appropriate work/life balance, 
taking into account their family s ituation, and to contribute to fac ilitate resuming a research career 
after a break. Furthermore, considerations of the et hical, social, legal and wider cultural aspects of 
the research to be undertaken and its potential ap plications, as well as socio-economic impacts of 
scientific and technolog ical development and foresight, will be addressed under this specific 
programme where relevant.  
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/285 
 In order to fully exploit Europe's potential for be coming more attractive to researchers, the "Marie 
Curie Actions" will create concrete synergies with other actions both within the framework of the 
Community research policy, as well as within  actions under other Community policies, e.g. on 
education, cohesion and employment. Such synergies will also be sought with  actions at regional, 
national and international level. Actions on linking science education to careers, and research and 
coordination actions on new methods in science edu cation are foreseen under the Science in Society 
part of the "Capacities" programme1. 
Ethical aspects 
During the implementation of this specific programme and in the res earch activities arising from it, 
fundamental ethical principles are to be respected. These include, in ter alia, the principles reflected 
in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU , including the following:  protection of human 
dignity and human life, protecti on of personal data and privacy, as well as animals and the 
environment in accordance with Community law and th e latest versions of relevant international 
conventions, guidelines and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration,  the Convention of the 
Council of Europe on Human Rights and Bio-medi cine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its 
Additional Protocols, the UN Conve ntion on the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on 
the human genome and human rights adopted by UNESCO, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons 
Convention (BTWC), Internationa l Treaty on Plant Genetic Resour ces for Food and Agriculture, 
and the relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions. 
                                                 
1 With a view to facilitating the implementa tion of the programme, fo r each meeting of the 
programme committee as defined in the ag enda, the Commission will reimburse, in 
accordance with its established guidelines, the expenses of one representative per Member 
State, as well as one expert/adviser per Me mber State for those agenda items where a 
Member State requires specific expertise. 
L 400/286 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 Account will also be taken of the Opinions of  the European Group of Advisers on the Ethical 
Implications of Bio-technology ( 1991-1997) and the Opinions of th e European Group on Ethics in 
Science and New Technologies (as from 1998). 
In compliance with the principle of  subsidiarity and the diversity of  approaches existing in Europe, 
participants in research projects must conform to current legisl ation, regulations and ethical rules in 
the countries where the research will be carried  out. In any case, nationa l provisions apply and no 
research forbidden in any given Member State or other country will be supported by Community 
funding to be carried out in th at Member State or country. 
Where appropriate, those carrying out research proj ects must seek the approval of the relevant 
national or local ethics committees prior to the star t of the RTD activities. An ethical review will 
also be implemented systematically by the Co mmission for proposals dealing with ethically 
sensitive issues or where ethical aspects have not been adequately addressed. In specific cases an 
ethical review may take place during  the implementation of a project. 
No funding will be granted for research activities that are prohibited in all the Member States. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/287 
 The Protocol on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty re quires the Community to 
pay full regard to the welfare re quirements of animals in formulating and implementing Community 
policies including research. Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the 
approximation of laws, regulations and administra tive provisions of the Member States regarding 
the protection of animals used for expe rimental and other scientific purposes1 requires that all 
experiments be designed to avoid distress and unnecessary pain a nd suffering to the experimental 
animals; use the minimum number of animals; involve animals with the lowest degree of 
neurophysiological sensitivity; and cause the least pain, suffering, dist ress or lasting harm. Altering 
the genetic heritage of animals and cloning of animals may be c onsidered only if the aims are 
ethically justified and the conditi ons are such that the animals' welfare is guaranteed and the 
principles of bio-diversity are respected. 
During the implementation of this programme, scie ntific advances and na tional and international 
provisions will be regularly monitored by the Commission so as to take account of any 
developments.  
Research on ethics related to scientific and technological developments will be carried out in the 
"Science in Society" part of th e "Capacities" Specific Programme. 
                                                 
1 OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1. Directive as amended by Directive 2003/65/EC of the European 
Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 230, 16.9.2003, p. 32). 
L 400/288 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 Activities 
The following "Marie Curie Actions" will be supported: 
– Initial training of researchers 
This action supports the initial training of researcher s, typically directed at the first four years (or 
full-time equivalent) of their career s, plus up to one additional year  if necessary for the completion 
of the initial training. Through a trans-national networking mechan ism, aimed at structuring a 
substantial share of the high-quality  initial research training capaci ty throughout Member States and 
associated countries in both public and private se ctors, the action aims to improve researchers' 
career perspectives in both se ctors, thereby also enhancing the attraction of young people to 
research careers.  
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/289 
 The action will be implemented through support to competitively selected networks of 
complementary organisations from different countr ies engaged in research training. In this frame 
support is foreseen for the best early-stage resear chers to join establishe d research teams. The 
networks will be built on a joint research traini ng programme, responding to we ll identified training 
needs in defined scientific or te chnological areas, with appropriate references to interdisciplinary 
and newly emerging supra-disciplinary fields. These training programmes will address in particular the development and broadening of the research competences of the early stage researchers. 
Training will be primarily focused on scientific  and technological knowledge through research on 
individual projects, complemented by training modules addressing other relevant skills and 
competences, e.g. in the field of management and financing of research projects and programmes, 
intellectual property rights and ot her exploitation methods  of research results , entrepreneurship, 
ethical aspects, communication and societal outreach. 
The joint research training progra mme should be coherent in terms of quality standards, with due 
provision for supervision and ment oring arrangements. The joint tr aining programme should exploit 
complementary competences of the participants in the network, including from  enterprises, as well 
as other synergies. It shall re quire the mutual recognition of th e quality of the training and, if 
possible, of diplomas and other certificates aw arded. Particular attenti on will be paid to the 
problems concerning the long-term employment of researchers. 
L 400/290 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 Direct or indirect involvement of organisations from different sectors is considered essential in this 
action, including (lead-) participatio n by private enterprises in appropr iate fields. A single research 
organisation or twinning participa tions are eligible under this action, if it is clearly demonstrated 
that the necessary elements of  the research training programme  are effectively addressed in 
cooperation with a wider set of partners, withou t these being formally part of the network. 
Community support under this  action would comprise: 
• the recruitment of early-stage researchers to be trained; 
• the possibility for setting up academic chairs in  higher education institutions or equivalent 
positions in other research organisations and enterp rises for experienced rese archers, with a view 
to transferring new knowledge a nd strengthening supe rvision of the early -stage researchers 
trained in a network;  
• networking and the organisation of short trai ning events (conferences, summer schools and 
specialised training courses), ope n to both trainees of the netw ork and to researchers from 
outside the network.  
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/291 
 – Life-long training and career development 
This action targets experienced rese archers at different stages of their careers, by enhancing their 
individual competence diversification in terms of ac quisition of multi- or interdisciplinary skills or 
the undertaking of inter-sectoral ex periences. The aim is to support re searchers in attaining and/or 
strengthening a leading independent  position, e.g. principal investigat or, professor or other senior 
position in education or enterprise . The action will also assist researchers to resume a career in 
research after a break or to (re)integrate research ers into a research career in Member States and 
associated countries, including in their coun try of origin, after a mobility experience. 
Researchers addressed under this ac tion should have at least four y ears of full-time or equivalent 
research experience or a doctora te; as the action is directed at life-long training and career 
development, it is however expected that the researchers will typically  have a more senior profile in 
terms of experience.  
This action will be implemented through: (i) support for individual trans-national intra- European fellowships awarded directly at 
Community level, to the best or most pr omising researchers fro m Member States and 
associated countries, based on an application made by the researchers in conjunction with 
the host organisations;  
L 400/292 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 (ii) co-funding of regional, nati onal or international programme s in the field of research 
training and career development where this fulfils the criteria of European added value, 
transparency and openness, targeting a competitive selection of existing or new regional, national and international f unding programmes that focus on the objectives set for this 
action, based on individual-driven mobility. These programmes are to apply an open, 
merit-based competition for the applying researchers, founded on international 
peer-review, without limitations regardi ng their origin and/or destination. These 
programmes are expected to offer adequate wo rking conditions for the final beneficiaries. 
 
Applicants for the co-funding modality would be  key actors in capacity building of human 
resources in research on their resp ective territories. They would t ypically be organisations falling in 
one of the following categories: 
• official public bodies responsible for fundi ng and managing fellowship programmes, e.g. 
ministries, state committees for research, research academies or agencies; 
• other public or private bodies, including large research organisa tions, that finance and manage 
fellowship programmes either with an official mandate or recognise d by public aut horities, such 
as agencies established by governments under private law with a public service mission, 
charities, etc.; 
• bodies at international level that run comparable  schemes at European level as part of their 
mission. 
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/293 
 For the co-funding modality, the Community will primarily contribute to the financing of 
fellowships complying with the requirements a nd aims of this action, notably in terms of 
trans-national mobility. International competition be tween researchers will remain central in order 
to ensure highest quality of research under this activity.  
Both implementation modes will be run in para llel from the beginning, with the co-funding mode 
initially on a controlled scale allowing for the nece ssary experience to be gained. In the course of 
the Framework Programme an impact assessment of the two modes will determine the implementation modalities for the remainder of the programme. 
– Industry-academia partnerships and pathways 
This action seeks to open and foster dynamic path ways between public research organisations and 
private commercial enterprises, including in partic ular SMEs, as well as tr aditional manufacturing 
industries. Activities will be based on longer term cooperation programmes with a view to 
increasing intersectoral mobility and increasing th e transfer and sharing of knowledge (including 
project management, IPR management and produc t development) as well as promoting mutual 
understanding of the different cultural settings  and skill requirements of both sectors.  
L 400/294 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 The action will be implemented in a flexible  way, inter alia based on good practices on 
industry-academia partnership throughout th e EU, through cooperation programmes between 
organisations from both sectors from  at least two different Member St ates or associated States, with 
support for human resources interactions within that framework. Community support will take one 
or more of the following forms: 
• staff secondments between both sectors within th e partnership, with a view of reinforcing the 
intersectoral cooperation;  
• temporary hosting in both sectors of experien ced researchers recrui ted from outside the 
partnership;  
• networking and the organisation of workshops and conferences enhanc ing the inter-sectoral 
experience and knowledge exchange, in order to reach a larger number of staff members from 
both sectors; 
• as an SME specific measure a contribution to small equipment related to their participation in the 
cooperation.  
– The international dimension 
Recognising the international dimension as a f undamental component of human resources in R&D 
in Europe, this dimension is addressed thr ough dedicated actions both in terms of career 
development of European researchers and in te rms of strengthening international cooperation 
through researchers.  
30.12.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 400/295 
 The career development of researchers from Memb er States and associated countries will be 
supported through: 
(i) outgoing international fellowships, with ma ndatory return, for experienced researchers 
within the framework of life- long training and competence dive rsification, to acquire new 
skills and knowledge; 
(ii) return and international reintegration grants for experienced researchers after an 
international experience. Under this action the networking of researchers from Member 
States and associated countries abroad will al so be supported with a view to keep them 
actively informed about and involved in developments in the European Research Area. 
The international cooperation through re searchers will be supported through: 
(i) incoming international fellowships in orde r to attract highly qu alified third-country 
researchers to Member States and associat ed countries, for knowledge enhancement for 
Europe and to build up high-level connections . Researchers from deve loping countries or 
from countries with emerging economies may benefit from support for a return phase. 
Networking of third-country rese archers in Member States and associated countries, with a 
view to structuring and developing their contacts  with their regions of origin, will also be 
supported; 
L 400/296 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.12.2006 
 (ii) partnerships between se veral research organisations in Europe and one or more 
organisations in: 
• countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy; 
• countries with which the Community has an S&T Agreement. 
On the basis of joint programmes Community s upport will be provided for short exchanges of 
early-stage and experienced researchers, for the or ganisation of mutually be neficial conferences and 
other events, as well as for the development of a systematic exchange of good practices with a 
direct bearing on issues re garding human resources in research and development. 
These actions will be implemente d in line with the internationa l activities under the "Cooperation" 
and "Capacities" Programmes. 
– Specific actions 
In support of the creation of a ge nuine European labour market for researchers, a coherent set of 
accompanying actions is to be implemented, with a view to removing obstacles to mobility and to 
enhancing the career perspectives of researchers in Europe. These actions will aim, in particular, at 
raising stakeholders and genera l public awareness, including th rough "Marie Curie" awards, at 
stimulating and supporting action at  Member State level and at co mplementing Community actions. 
The specific actions will also include incentive measures for public institutions that promote 
mobility, quality and profile of researchers, where these activities fulfil the criteria of European added-value, openness and transparency. 
 
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 ANNEX II  
Information to be provided by the Co mmission in accordance with Article 8(5) 
1. Information on actions, enabling the monitori ng of the entire life time of each proposal, 
covering in particular: 
– submitted proposals, 
– evaluation results for each proposal, 
– grant agreements, 
– completed actions. 
2. Information on the outcome of each call a nd implementation of actions, covering in 
particular: 
– results of each call,  
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 – outcome of negotiations on grant agreements,  
– implementation of actions, including pa yment data and outcome of actions. 
3. Information on programme implementation, incl uding relevant information at the level of 
the Framework Programme, the Specific Programme and each activity. 
This information (in particular , on proposals, their evaluation and grant agreements) should be 
provided in a uniform structured electronically-readable and treata ble format accessible through an 
IT-based information and reporting system  which readily enables data analysis.