•s 
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(90) 179 final - SYN 121 
Brussels, 15 May 1990 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
amending Decision 89/118/EEC on a 
European stimulation plan for economic science 
(1989 - 1992) (SPES) 
(presented by the Commission) 
It EC 
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BACKGROUND 
1. On adopting on 13 February 1989 a European stimulation plan for 
economic science (1989-1992)(SPES), the Council gave the Commission the 
responsibility of implementing a range of measures aimed at improving 
the training of young economists the stimulation of mobility and intra-
European cooperation between community economists. 
2. A Community action is particularly relevant and necessary for economic 
science because It involves a subject which, by Its very nature, has an 
international dimension directly linked to the objectives of the 
Community and where it Is advisable to take Into account the European 
dimension for the study of major Community questions. 
3. The Community action launched In February 1989 immediately stimulated a 
great Interest amongst the Community scientists concerned, confirming 
the needs which had been expressed by them as well as by the Council, 
the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the 
Commission, needs which were the origin of the Initiative taken by the 
Commission in March 1988 In proposing the SPES Plan. 
4. Within several months, the Commission had received a large number of 
expressions of interest (5 000 requests for information In 10 months) 
of which a substantial number gave rise to Joint proposals or to 
European networks (166 proposals for an amount in the region of 
ECU 22 million bringing together 793 teams had been submitted between 
1 April and 1 November 1989). The evaluation of these proposals showed 
that the majority of them concerned subjects which were of great 
interest and came from quality research teams. 
5. Taking into account the financial means available, only a small 
proportion of these "quality" requests could be financed : 22 proposals 
involving 62 teams for an amount In the region of ECU 1 650 000 (or 13% 
of the requests considered on 1 October 1989). 
6. The analysis of the subject areas affected by these Community show on 
the other hand that while the subjects specifically linked to European 
integration are well represented, other important questions are without 
doubt insufficiently represented. This applies particularly to 
questions linked to the development of tools of economic performance 
such as precise economic models incorporating financial aspects 
(including interest and exchange rates) or Indicators which allow the 
assessment of the economic Impact of new technologies, In particular as 
regards In the protection of the environment. 
7. Without anticipating the conclusions of the evaluation which will be 
undertaken In 1991 In accordance with the Decision 89/11/EEC, the 
Inadequate level of funding available In relation to the needs to which 
the Community must respond can already be seen. 
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8. In its proposai for a Framework Programme 1987-1991, the Commission had 
expressed its intention to take measures aimed at supporting and 
retaining high level researchers In the Community. To this end, an 
amount of ECU 4 million had been reserved for an experimental action 
for the "Stimulation of European cooperation and S/T exchanges" (line 
8.1 of the 1987-1991 Framework Programme). 
9. In view of the possibilities offered by the SCIENCE Plan as adopted by 
the Council (Decision 88/419/EEC) it appears that the objectives 
envisaged for this experimental action could be achieved with the help 
of the modalities available under the SCIENCE Plan (research grants). 
10. In this situation and taking Into account the existing needs of 
economic science, the Commission considers that it Is necessary to 
revise the cost estimate and to reinforce the financial base of the 
stimulation plan for economic science with the ECU 4 million currently 
aval I able. 
11. The Commission therefore requests the Council to agree to the draft 
Decision which follows in order that It can proceed with a stimulation 
action for economic science to respond more adequately to the needs 
encountered. 
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Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
amending Decision 89/118/EEC on a 
European stimulation plan for economic science 
(1989 - 1992) (SPES) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community 
and In particular Article 130q(2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission*1), 
In cooperation with the European Par I lament*2*, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee*3*, 
Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty provides that the Implementation of the 
Framework Programme Is to be carried out by means of its action lines; 
whereas the Council, In deciding by Decision 87/516/Euratorn, EEC*4* the 
Community Framework Programme for research and technological development 
(1987-1991), recognizes the Interest of such a stimulation action; 
Whereas Council Decision 89/118/EEC(5) adopted a plurlannual research and 
development Programme for the Community in the field of economic sciences; 
Whereas the Framework Programme, amongst the evaluation criteria for each 
programme and the selection of Community actions, provides for the 
contribution to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of 
the Community, while respecting the objectives of scientific and technical 
qua Iity; 
Whereas certain recent and important questions In economic science, for 
example precise economic models Incorporating financial aspects and above 
all indicators which allow the appreciation of the environmental Impact of 
new technologies, require urgent action by the Community taking Into 
account the vital relationship between the means available for the adopted 
plan and the quality of the proposals received by the Commission; 
Whereas economic science alms to Increase the wealth and productivity of 
the economy as a whole; 
Whereas the Committee for Scientific and Technological Research (CREST) has 
been consulted, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
(1) OJ. 
(2) OJ 
(3) OJ 
(4) OJ No L 302, 24.10.1987, p. 1. 
(5) OJ NO L 44, 16.2.1989, p. 43. 
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Article 1_ 
Decision 89/118/EEC is hereby amended as follows: 
1. The first paragraph of Article 3 Is replaced by the following: 
"The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme 
amount to ECU 10 million for the period 1989 to 1992, Including 
expenditure on a staff of three." 
2. The following is added to point 4 of the Annex: 
" vil I: Microeconomics 
ix: problems of the evaluation of the economic Impact of 
environmental risks 
x: The problems of economic relations between Western Europe and 
Eastern Europe". 
Article 2 
This Decision Is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at For the Council 
The President 
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY 
1. Budgetary 11 ne : 7382 
Title of the action: 
Plan to stimulate cooperation and exchange between researchers in 
economic science. 
2. Legal base 
Article 130q(2) of the EEC Treaty 
3• Definition of the action: 
The stimulation programme Includes the following actions: 
. European doctoral scholarships awarded to students from Community 
countries to carry out a part of their studies in a research 
Institute In a Community country other than their own; 
. post-doctoral research grants awarded to Community researchers to 
enable them to work In a research institute situated in a country 
other than their own. These grants can be in the form of a lump-sum 
(fellowship) or may cover only certain costs such as travel, 
subsistence and/or costs associated with the research itself; 
. subsidies for projects and research networks, high-level training 
courses, scientific meetings (conferences, seminars, workshops), 
studies and inquiries as well as for the facilitation of access to 
databases. 
4. Just if I cat Ion for the action: 
On the 28 June 1983, the Council approved the aim of "improving the 
effectiveness of the scientific and technical potential of the 
Community" among those of the Framework Programme of Community R&D 
activities.*1* 
The Single European Act specifies (Article 130) that the Commission 
must undertake stimulation action In training. 
The Council of 28 September 1987 approved the aim of "A researcher's 
Europe" among those for support under the 1987-1991 Framework Programme 
of Community R&D activities.*2* 
(?) OJ NOL181, 6.7.1983, p.20. 
(2) OJ NoL3G2,24.1Cl.1937 p.1 
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The Council of 29 June 1988, adopted the new plan (1988-92) for the 
stimulation of international cooperation and interchange needed by 
European researchers (SCIENCE)*3* which Is still limited to the exact 
sciences but at the same time has recognised the necessity of extending 
the action to ail areas of science. 
The Council of 13 February 1989*4* adopted a European plan for the 
stimulation of economic science (1989-1992) (SPES) which constitutes an 
opening up of Community activities In research and development to 
economic sciences. 
5. Financial Imp 11 cat Ions 
1. Type of expenditure 
a) Personnel: 
I. SPES: For 1990 the personnel Is comprised of 
one "A" grade and one new "C" grade. 
The new "C" Is only taken Into account 
for 6 months of the first year. For 
91/92 an Increase of 4% a year is taken 
into account. 
The costs of business travel 
Included in the amounts mentioned. are 
I) Revision of SPES: For the revision of SPES, a new grade 
"A" Is planned for 1991 calculating as 
before a h "AM the first year with an 
increase of 4% the following years. 
The costs of business travel 
Included in the amounts mentioned. are 
b) Administration: 4 E-CODEST meetings are planned per 
year. 
c) Contracts: 
European doctoral fellowships, post-doctoral research 
grants; 
(3) OJ No L 206, 30.7.1988, p. 34. 
(4) OJ No L 44, 16.2.1989, p. 43. 
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Subsidies for networks and/or multinational 
projects. research 
2. Subsidies for the organisation of high level training 
courses, Including summer schools and scientific meetings 
as well as facilitating access to databases. 
Study contracts 
Expert contracts 
Total cost 
ECU 10 million for the 1989-1992 period of the stimulation 
plan. ECU 6 million for Decision 89/118/EEC of 13 February 
1989 (SPES) and ECU 4 million for the period 1991-1992 for the 
revision of the programme. 
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3. Breakdown 
(in mECU) 
(Forecast) 
Commitment Appropriations 
Budget Budget 
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 TOTAL 
SPES : 
Personnel (1+9) .0865 .1315 .165 .170 .553 
Administr. 
(2+3) .049 .0425 .045 .046 .1825 
Contracts (5) .8645 1.826 1.790 .784 5.2645 
S/Total 1.000 2.000 2.000 1.000 pm 6.000 
Revision o£ SEES 
Personnel (1+9) 0 .055 .107 .162 
Administration 
(2+3) 0 0 0 0 
Contracts (5) 0 1.345 2.493 3.838 
S/Total 1.400 2.600 pm 4.000 
Total 1.000 2.000 3.400 3.600 pm 10.000 
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Payment approviatlons 
Budget Budget (Forecast) 
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 TOTAL 
SPES 
Personnel 
(1+9) .0865 .1315 .165 .170 
Administration 
(2+3) .049 
Contracts (5) .2645 0425 .045 .046 
626 1.7892 1.499 .553 
.1825 
8506 .2352 5.2645 
S/Total .400 .800 1.9992 1.715 8506 .2352 6.000 
Revision of SPES 
Personnel 
(1+9) 
Administration 
(2+3) 
Contracts (5) 055 .107 162 
0 0 0 
4035 1.2859 1.4007 .7479 3.838 
S/Total 0 4585 1.3929 1.4007 .7479 4.000 
TOTAL .400 .800 2.4577 3.1079 2.2513 .9831 10.000 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(90) 179 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 17 16 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-210-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-60259-7 
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