[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 13.9.2007

SEC(2007)1153

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT

Accompanying the REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION Annual Report on Research and technological development activities of the European Union in 2006 {COM(2007)519 final}

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. European support to research: Activities and results in 2006 4

1.1. Policy Strategy and Coordination 4

1.2. Indirect support actions 11

1.2.1. Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health 11

1.2.2. Information society technologies 13

1.2.3. Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Intelligent Materials, New Production Processes 16

1.2.4. Aeronautics and Space 18

1.2.5. Food Quality and Safety 21

1.2.6. Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems 23

1.2.7. Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-Based Society 28

1.2.8. Specific Measures Covering a Wider Field of Research 29

1.2.9. Strengthening the Foundations of the European Research Area 34

1.2.10. Structuring the European Research Area 36

1.3. Direct actions by the Joint Research Centre 40

1.4. Research and Training Actions under the Euratom Treaty 42

1.5. Completion of Previous Framework Programmes and other Activities 45

1.6. Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel 48

2. Developments in Member States and application of the Open Method coordination 49

1.2 The Open Method of Coordination in support of reaching the Barcelona objectives 49

2.2 Trends in Public and Private Research Investment 52

2.2.1 Progress towards the 3 % objective 52

2.2.2 Trends in public funding 55

2.2.3 Trends in private expenditure 56

2.3 Trends in research policies 56

2.3.1 National R&D intensity targets 56

2.3.2 R&D policy priorities in the Member States 59

2.3.3 Trends in public sector R&D 61

2.3.4 Stimulating private R&D expenditure: subsidies versus tax incentives 62

2.3.5 The ERA dimension in national R&D policies 62

3. International Cooperation Agreements 63

4. Consultation and Monitoring Procedures 65

4.1. Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) 65

4.2. Programme Committees 66

4.3. External Advisory Groups 66

4.4. European Research Advisory Board (EURAB) 67

4.5. Monitoring and evaluation 67

5. Statistical tables on the implementation of the 6th framework programme 68

5.1. Explanatory notes 68

5.2. List of tables in the statistical annex 69

1. EUROPEAN SUPPORT TO RESEARCH: ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS IN 2006

1.1. Policy Strategy and Coordination

The EU's research policy set as its priority goal to help the EU to become the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. As confirmed by the Commission in 2005, research, and on a broader basis, knowledge (from research, education and innovation) is an important element in achieving the objectives of the reinvigorated Lisbon Strategy. The creation of the European Research Area (ERA), the overall objective of the European Research Policy and thus a priority for the Commission, is at the centre of the knowledge-based economy and society. The aim of the EU is to overcome the fragmentation of efforts and to promote complementarities and synergies towards the generation of knowledge. Within the context of the new momentum for prosperity and enhanced competitiveness, stability and security, The Commission advanced towards attaining its 2006 objectives, namely conceiving and implementing policy initiatives towards the ERA, including preparatory work for a Green Paper on the European Research Area, which was adopted in April 2007[1]; making the last commitments under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6); and ensuring the successful launch of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) at the same time.

To implement the Lisbon Strategy and to make it more effective, the Commission has taken action at all levels: in the private and public sectors, at international, European, national, regional and local levels. In addition actions have been taken to reinforce coordination and synergies between research, innovation and cohesion policies.

Framework Programmes: an important role in European Research

Successful conclusion of sixth Framework Programme (FP6)

2006 was the last year for implementing activities under FP6. The various components of FP6 were smoothly managed: budgetary execution was above 99%, proposal submission was managed without any problems, as well as the work of the programme committees and the revision of the work programmes of the Specific Programmes. In FP6, new funding instruments were successfully created, such as Networks of Excellence and Integrated Projects – which permit the assembly of a critical mass of expertise and resources to achieve ambitious research objectives. The main results obtained with these instruments are presented in the following sections.

Adoption of Seventh Framework Programmes (FP7)

The adoption of the European Community (EC) Seventh Framework Programme and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) Framework Programme in December 2006 marked a major achievement for European research. After years of preparation and intense negotiations, the main financial and legal instruments were adopted to contribute to the implementation of the European Research Area for the period 2007 to 2013.

A Commission Communication[2] had launched the debate in 2004. All interested parties were consulted: stakeholders (by means of a large open consultation in the autumn of 2004), other institutions, experts (the Marimón Panel, and those involved in the Five Year Assessment, etc.), and this served as a basis for the formal proposals by the Commission in April 2005 which were accompanied by a detailed Impact Assessment. Subsequently, the Commission contributed actively to the intensive inter-institutional negotiations, leading to the adoption of all pertinent legislative acts in December 2006. The first 42 Calls for Proposals under FP7 were published on 22 December 2006.

In line with FP6, FP7 has introduced a simplification of the regulatory and administrative environment, notably concerning simpler access to the programmes, simpler administrative procedures and the transfer of some logistic and administrative tasks to external structures.

The number of funding schemes has been reduced, and fewer reports will be requested to the beneficiaries. On the other hand, the new intervention mechanisms, such as the loans from the European Investment Bank, further opening-up to international partners or the strengthening of cooperation with other policies (innovation and cohesion policies), will reinforce the contribution to competitiveness. Other novel or reinforced aspects are the Joint Technology Initiatives, the coordination of national programmes, the technology platforms and industry-driven projects in most technology sectors.

FP7 is a major driving force for the European Research Area, and will contribute to greater dynamism and competitiveness of the European economy, thus helping to build up citizens' confidence in Europe. Facing the challenge of globalisation, it focuses on the creation of a real internal market for knowledge. FP7 Specific Programmes support collaborative actions, stimulate excellence through competition with the creation of the European Research Council, enhance the human potential in European research and help to improve research infrastructures and overall capacities. Emerging and unforeseen needs will also be taken into account, and the dissemination of results will be encouraged.

Preparation of executive agency structures for FP7

In its proposals for FP7, the Commission indicated its intention to create an executive agency to handle the management of the full project life cycle for some parts of the Framework Programme (most notably Marie Curie, Space, Security and SME Actions). Shared logistical services will also be used by the whole of the Framework Programme - in particular, support to proposal submission and evaluation, a centralised helpdesk/enquiry service, a centralised repository for participant data and legal and financial viability checking of participants. By creating a separate executive agency, many of the associated administrative tasks can be carried out with greater efficiency and consistency, while freeing the Commission to concentrate on its core task of policy setting.

In advance of the creation of the Executive Agency, Calls for Tender for Information Technology (IT) services for the preparation and submission of proposals and support to the evaluation process, were successfully concluded. In addition, a contract for a new building located in the centre of Brussels specially adapted to the requirements for conducting proposal evaluations was signed to replace the old evaluation facility building used in previous Framework Programmes. A new helpdesk/enquiry service was also put in operation before the launch of FP7. Much of this structure will be managed by the Executive Agency once it has been established. In parallel, work to undertake a cost-benefit analysis and to prepare the legal acts to establish the Executive Agency was near to completion by the end of 2006.

Setting up the European Research Council

The European Research Council (ERC) is a new European organisation for the support of research at the frontiers of knowledge which will benefit from a substantial budget (EUR 7.51 billion over the course of FP7) and independent scientific governance. It represents a dynamic new development in European research funding and a major departure from traditional operational methods and established governance structures.

The ERC will be made up of the Scientific Council and its Dedicated Implementation Structure (DIS). The founding members of the Scientific Council were nominated by the Commission following an independent identification process involving Europe's research community. The composition of the Scientific Council and the combined experience of its members reflect a broad field of expertise encompassed by frontier research.

During 2006, the Commission started to build up the implementation capacity of the DIS at operational level, firstly by establishing a Directorate to Implement the Ideas Programme. It is working closely and intensively with the Scientific Council, which met regularly during 2006 to establish the scientific strategy and evaluation methodology for the Ideas Programme. The operational experience from the Sixth Framework Programme's New and Emerging Science and Technology (NEST) Programme has provided useful input into the development work of the ERC. In particular, the Scientific Council has used the good practice of the NEST evaluation process as the basis for the evaluation procedures for the ERC activities.

Reinforcing Links with Local, National and Private Efforts

European Technology Platforms

At the end of 2006, there are 31 European Technology Platforms (ETPs) up and running, spanning a wide range of technologies which are key to Europe’s growth and competitiveness.

The Commission services have strongly encouraged this bottom-up, industry led approach to defining medium to long-term research needs. The objectives and research priorities of the Strategic Research Agenda (SRAs) developed by these ETPs have to a broad extent been taken into account in identifying the research areas and priorities/projects of the ten themes of the Cooperation specific programmes and the first FP7 work programmes[3]. Each ETP is "covered" by at least one theme of the cooperation specific programme, in one case by up to 7 themes.

In May 2006, a large ETP conference was held in Vienna during the Austrian Presidency. The conference confirmed that ETPs are providing a valuable framework for addressing Europe's competitiveness via research and innovation and it that its future role could be extended to provide a more proactive approach to overcome barriers to innovation in Europe and identifying demand side policy actions in the area of standardisation, public procurement and regulations. The consultation of ETPs on the Commission's lead market initiative in the 2nd half of 2006, including two ETP leader meetings in July and December, has been a first step in this direction. In October 2006, another ETP meeting brought together EIB financial experts with ETP leaders to discuss the potential of EIB instruments for the financing of ETP projects.

A new funding scheme to increase private investment in research

The Risk-Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) is a new funding scheme of the European Investment Bank (EIB) supported by FP7 to predominantly increase private investment in Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (RTD) as well as in Innovation. The RSFF, which has been jointly developed by the Commission and the EIB, will provide loans and guarantees for RTD and innovation projects, including support to research infrastructures, which would otherwise not receive sufficient finance due to their high-risk nature. The EC and the EIB, as risk-sharing partners, will make a contribution of up to EUR 1 billion each to the facility to cover the specific risks related to the financing of RSFF projects. Based on this risk-sharing partnership, a total of up to EUR 10 billion could be provided to RTD and innovation projects under the RSFF.

In 2006, the Commission launched successfully the process of a consultation with the European Council and the European Parliament on the RSFF in the context of the adoption of FP7 at the end of 2006.

During 2006, EU Member States, future FP7 Associated Countries and other stakeholders were informed of the development of the RSFF through dedicated workshops and conferences. Their feedback on the various aspects of the facility was taken into account.

In order to support the implementation of the RSFF and to raise awareness of the new funding scheme among potential partner banks and project promoters, a Specific Support Action (SSA) was launched in 2006. Under this SSA, the EIB will carry out a number of activities to facilitate the introduction of the RSFF in the market, especially awareness raising activities.

During the last quarter of 2006, the EC and the EIB started negotiations on the agreement stipulating the terms and conditions for the implementation of the RSFF by the EIB. This agreement is expected to be signed in June 2007.

A new public-private link to boost Europe's industrial competitiveness

Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) are legal entities which are proposed as a new way of realising public-private partnerships in a strategic industrial research and development field at European level.

In the Commission's proposal for the Seventh Framework Programme, six areas were identified where a JTI could have particular relevance: hydrogen and fuel cells, aeronautics and air transport, innovative medicines, nano-electronics (ENIAC), embedded computing systems (ARTEMIS) and global monitoring for environment and security. In 2006, significant progress was made in developing the proposals for JTIs. The form of legal entity has also been confirmed, with JTIs favouring a joint undertaking under Article 171 of the Treaty.

In the roadmap presented by the Commission services in November 2006, it is stated that the six potential JTIs had not all reached the same level of preparation. It identified four "keys for success": additionality, market failure, governance, and the commitment of Member States. The roadmap also indicated that the Commission services would arrange for an objective analysis of the economic and social effects of each potential JTI. The Commission has presented its first proposals for JTIs to the Council in spring 2007.

At the December 2006 European Council meeting, the Commission was invited "to rapidly make proposals for the setting up of the industry-led Joint Technology Initiatives, which are also open to SMEs, with a view to launching the most advanced ones in 2007".

The first Article 169 initiatives to integrate activities of national programmes

Article 169 of the EU Treaty provides a legal basis for the Community to support the integration of national research programmes by means of participation in research and development programmes undertaken by several Member States. Drawing a key lesson from the “European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership” (EDCTP), the first application of Article 169 which was launched under the FP6, an Article 169 initiative can only function effectively if there are three levels of integration between the national programmes involved: scientific, management and financial integration. The EDCTP has also shown that the latter is of particular importance and that, from the outset, a clear, multi-annual commitment from the participating countries must be ensured in financial terms. The scientific, management and financial integration represent essential boundary conditions which must be met satisfactorily before bringing forward a proposal for an initiative under Article 169 of the EU Treaty. The Commission discussed with CREST the proposed approach to these boundary conditions.

The Commission services identified as well four initiatives which had the potential to become Article 169 initiatives: - "Ambient Assisted Living" (AAL); - Baltic sea research (Bonus-169); - metrology (the science of measurement) (EMRP); - a joint research programme for research performing SMEs and their partners (EUROSTARS). Two of these, "EUROSTARS" and "AAL", appear to be the most advanced for proposal submission under Article 169 in 2007.

The Commission intends to propose Article 169 initiatives to the European Council and European Parliament for adoption, provided that the boundary conditions in relation to scientific, management and financial integration can be met.

Improvement of regional investment

The Commission has backed several activities aimed at raising regional involvement in the knowledge-based economy.

The ‘Regions of Knowledge’ Pilot Action[4] launched in 2003 with a budget of EUR 2.5 million, aimed at developing experimental activities involving networks of European regions (with the active involvement of universities, research centres and the business community) so as to create "knowledge regions" which could serve as models for the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy at regional level. According to the impact assessment of the Pilot Action completed in September 2006, the Regions of Knowledge Pilot Action successfully brought the notion of territory into science-policy thinking and the role of science into regional development thinking.

The success of the Pilot Action led to the launch in 2004 of the “Regions of Knowledge 2”[5] policy initiative, this time in FP6. It is much more R&D oriented than its predecessor and it promotes increased and better regional investment in research through mutual learning, coordination and collaboration between regional players in R&D (including in academia and industry). At the end of 2006, a total of 21 projects had been financed under Regions of Knowledge 2, with a total budget of EUR 10.4 million. 'Regions of Knowledge 2' shows very encouraging results in presenting regions with a tool to focusing on the Barcelona objective (3%) at regional level.

Aiming at raising regional involvement in the knowledge economy, Regions of Knowledge activities constitute the first stone of a more ambitious regional dimension in the 7th Framework Programme.

A specific and systematic collaboration of regional actors was developed within the activities of the Mutual Learning Platform for the Regions, a concept launched in 2005 under the IRE Network. Two workshops were organised in June 2006 on the themes “How to make Regional Growth Poles Work” and “Regional Benchmarking”. The MLP Final Conference took place in Brussels on 13 October 2006.

A first time conference on 'Giving More for Research in Europe'

The first ever conference on the role of philanthropy in funding research was organised by the Commission in Brussels in March 2006, in cooperation with the European Foundation Centre. More than 200 participants – from charitable foundations, universities, industry, national authorities and research organizations – discussed strategies and initiatives on how to step up the role of philanthropy in boosting Europe’s research funding and capabilities. The main conclusions were cross-cutting issues relating to governance, legal and tax treatments of foundations as means to increase the impact and effectiveness of research funding.

The need to create a European Forum in charge of developing a policy agenda to boost charitable funding in research came out of the conference debates. The forum will be created later in 2007 by the European Foundation Centre with the Commission's support. It will serve as a platform to improve mutual learning, synergies and collaboration between stakeholders, and help identify challenges and priorities in the role of philanthropy in research funding.

Creating a favourable environment for investment in research

Promoting fiscal measures to foster R&D

On 22.11.2006, the Commission adopted a Communication[6] on the more effective use of tax incentives in favour of R&D in order to boost R&D investments and enhance job creation and economic growth in Europe. The Communication clarifies the legal conditions arising from EU case law and sets out some basic principles and good practices for the design of tax incentives for R&D. It also encourages Member States to improve the use and coordination of tax incentives on specific R&D issues, in particular regarding the funding for large-scale trans-national R&D projects, the growth of young innovative enterprises, the cross-border mobility of researchers and the treatment of philanthropic funding of research.

A new Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development and Innovation

After a thorough consultation of stakeholders in 2006, the new Community Framework for State Aid for Research and Development and Innovation[7] entered into force on 1 January 2007. The framework clarifies the conditions under which State aid for R&D&I is deemed compatible with the Internal Market. In particular, it provides clarifications on the treatment of public support to research organisations, including university-industry collaborations; of aid given in the form of fiscal measures; and of advances repayable in case of success. Furthermore, the framework introduces a range of new possibilities to provide State aid to support innovation: e.g. aid for young innovative enterprises, for the loan of highly qualified personnel and for innovation clusters.

Promoting knowledge transfer between public research organisations and industry

A public consultation[8] carried out in 2006 showed that the exploitation of publicly-funded research results is deemed to be an important driver for EU competitiveness. It also highlighted a number of key issues that should be addressed if closer PRO-industry links are to be achieved. On the basis of the results of this consultation as well as other sources of input (including new national guidelines, etc.), the preparation of a Commission Communication was initiated (which was adopted in 2007[9]).

Realising a Single Labour Market for Researchers

Promoting researcher's mobility and career development

The quantitative and qualitative availability of adequate human resources is a key aspect of the implementation of the ERA. In this context, the objective of promoting the attractiveness of the researcher's career and removing the obstacles to their mobility between countries, disciplines, sectors or institutions have continued to be subject to a number of initiatives within the Mobility strategy and the researcher's career development policy on the basis of the Communications "A mobility strategy for the ERA"[10] and "Researcher's in the ERA: one profession, multiple carriers"[11] endorsed by the Council.

In particular, progress has been achieved in the implementation of both the "Visa package" (containing one directive and two recommendations) aimed at facilitating the entry of third country researchers into the EU, and of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment. The ERA-Link initiative[12] was also officially launched in June 2006 in the USA by Commissioner Potočnik and developed considerably since then. The various measures have been followed and promoted within the Steering Group Human Resources and Mobility (SG HRM) in which the Commission and the Member States have put into practice the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) entailing mutual information, coordination and exchange of good practices.

Regarding the Visa package, the two recommendations on long-term admission and short-term visa entered into force upon adoption (in 2005). Most Member States have started the transposition process of the directive and it is expected to be finalised by October 2007.

In connection to the amelioration of the career development of the researchers a number of developments took place in 2006 concerning the Recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment. The Commission co-organised the Austrian Presidency Conference on the "Charter and Code" (June 2006), which particularly stressed the need for a transparent and effective implementation process of these tools. Real progress includes: over 170 out of 650 institutions in 19 countries have now signed the Charter and Code. Following the Conference, the work towards the set up of a Charter and Code labelling mechanism was continued through an ad hoc working group.

The challenges for European University-based Research were addressed in the Communication "Delivering on the Modernisation Agenda for Universities: Education, Research, Innovation", issued in May 2006. This document was also a reply to the high political priority given to universities in the informal European Council meeting in Hampton Court in 2005, and was presented to the European Council in June 2006. Preparatory work was done to cover the appropriate follow-up activities under FP7.

The International Dimension of the European Research Area

To become more competitive and to play a leading role at world level, the European Community needs a strong and coherent international science and technology policy and actions. One of the main challenges has been the international opening up of the thematic priorities to third country participants. The political objective of this was to implement a target of EUR 285 million for third country participation in FP6 thematic programme priorities. Additional measures have been taken in 2006, in particular where a specific topping-up Call of EUR 20 million was successfully implemented in order to increase third country participation in European research projects already signed or under negotiation.

S&T in EU pre-accession and neighbourhood policy

For the candidate and potential candidate countries, the aim has been to create a maximum of synergy between the financing possibilities under the Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA) and FP7. The different IPA components are considered with the aim of supporting research capacity building and infrastructure projects which in turn can help in increasing the participation of the enlargement countries under FP7. In the renewed Neighbourhood policy, research has been playing an increasing role in creating closer ties and actions of mutual benefit with the Neighbourhood countries.

China-EU Science and Technology Year

Supporting the research relations with China, the "China-EU Science & Technology Year"[13] was launched in Brussels in October 2006 alongside the annual Steering Committee meeting of the Science and Technology Agreement. Over 130 joint EU-China research projects are supported in FP6 amounting to nearly EUR 900 million in total project funding. The launch of the China-EU Science and Technology Year shows the intention of both regions to promote and enhance cooperation in this field, including ways to improve the mobility of researchers between the two economic areas .

1.2. Indirect support actions

1.2.1. Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health

The Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health action of the FP6 had a strong focus on integrating post-genomic research, including research on related molecular mechanisms, into the more established biomedical and biotechnological approaches. It also aimed at integrating research capacities (both public and private) across Europe to increase coherence and to achieve critical mass. The last generation of projects was selected in 2006, leading to a global figure of more than 600 European collaborations involving around 7,500 research teams, with a global Community contribution of EUR 2.5 billion and a matching investment of approximately EUR 1.25 billion in the Member and Associated States.

A public-private partnership for better medicine for patients

To strengthen European competitiveness and to deliver better medicine to patients, the Commission further developed the idea of a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) on Innovative Medicines together with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). This public-private partnership in R&D aims to address bottlenecks hampering the efficiency of the development of new medicines, notably by pooling resources from all stakeholders (industry, academia, SMEs, regulatory authorities, healthcare providers, patient organisations) around key research priorities as defined in the Strategic Research Agenda, i.e. better prediction of safety and efficiency of new medicines, better knowledge management and strengthened education and training. Continued efforts have been devoted to developing a sound governance structure and to defining the operational aspects of such a JTI. Significant advances were made in 2006 on the preparation of the Commission's proposal to the Council to establish the Innovative Medicines Joint Undertaking under Article 171 of the EC Treaty.

Strengthened international cooperation for health research

Health is an issue of interest and importance to all countries, so health research is international by nature. The internationalisation of health research funded by the Framework Programmes continued in 2006 with a significant increase in third country participation in new projects. The domain of INCO-health was successfully integrated in the first FP7 Work Programme for the Health Theme. Bilateral and regional dialogue with third countries for stimulating international cooperation were established and deepened, which was reflected in the priority setting for the first Calls for Proposals in FP7. In total, 15 topics for Specific International Cooperation Actions have been identified, in areas ranging from neglected infectious diseases to health services research, with a budget of EUR 64 million for the next two years. The Commission was also represented in the meetings of the Heads of International Health Research Organisations (HIROs), confirming the Commission’s place among the main health R&D funding agencies in the world. Major workshops were organised with third countries e.g. on antimicrobial drug resistance (South-East Asia), proteomics (USA), health SMEs (China) and Tuberculosis (India). The Commission has continued its participation in the international Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) that includes the G7 countries plus several other countries, thereby enabling non-G7 EU Member States to take part. Cooperation was also initiated between international funding agencies on topics such as functional genomics and the use of infrastructures such as biobanks, which are essential tools for advanced health research. Over the last years, several large EU projects in mouse functional genomics have coordinated their research agendas[14] and thus enabled the EU to become a leading partner in large world-wide efforts such as the International Mouse Mutant Collaborative Project co-funded by the EC, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Genome Canada[15].

Pandemic Influenza: combining reactive and preventive approaches

During the course of 2005, an increasing threat of pandemic influenza manifested itself with a number of human cases of H5N1[16] influenza infection in East and South-East Asia, the Caucasus region and Turkey, and with several smaller outbreaks of avian H5N1 infection in wild birds and poultry all over the EU. The Commission has been funding research in this field since 2000. In response to this crisis, a special Call for Proposals in the area of research on avian influenza was launched. In 2006, six projects were selected and have now started, with a global budget of EUR 14 million. These projects bring together a total of 40 excellent collaborating institutions, including 10 SMEs and two large vaccine companies, from all over Europe, as well as from China and Russia. These teams are working on issues such as the development of improved vaccines and vaccine delivery; on the factors affecting bird-to-human disease transmission and on better exploitation of the body's innate immune response. Their results will significantly help to prepare Europe for the possible outbreak of pandemic influenza and will lay solid foundations for future work to fight this and other emerging epidemics.

The European and Developing Countries' clinical trials partnership to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis (EDCTP)

This first application of Article 169 of the EC Treaty, whereby the Community can participate in research programmes undertaken by several Member States, has the objective of reducing the burden of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis via clinical trials and capacity-building in Africa. Following the first Calls for Proposals launched by the partnership, major research work has started on topics such as new tuberculosis drug regimes, new drugs for malaria, and vaginal microbicides for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Two additional Calls were published in 2006 with, for the first time, direct financial contributions from the Member States. The Conclusions of the G8 meeting of June 2006, under the Russian presidency, referred to EDCTP, thereby acknowledging the momentum gained by this pioneering initiative. The EDCTP also provided significant support to the Global HIV/AIDS Vaccine Enterprise (GVE), an alliance of the world's main funding bodies for health research, including the EC, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Wellcome Trust, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Gates Foundation, that aims at accelerating the development of a preventive HIV/AIDS vaccine based on a shared scientific plan. Accordingly, in 2006, the Gates Foundation, the EDCTP and its Member States published a joint Call for Proposals on 'Capacity building in preparation for the conduct of preventive HIV vaccine trials'.

1.2.2. Information society technologies

Information Society Technologies

Information and Communication Technologies are key enablers of growth and competitiveness in all sectors of the economy. The highest performing countries are those that are more innovative in ICT products and services and more active in adopting such innovations in other sectors.

Europeans are world industrial and technology leaders in a number of essential ICT fields and Europe has a head start in several technologies that are especially promising. These are strongholds that Europe needs to keep and improve in order to safeguard its position as an influential player in the global economy.

More than ever before, partnering at European level is needed to keep pace with soaring research costs in a context of global competition and increasingly complex and interdependent technologies. The FP6 IST Programme and the ICT theme of the FP7 Cooperation Programme offer the frameworks for such collaborations.

Current ICT R&D projects strengthen leadership and seize new opportunities

The last IST calls for proposals under FP6 were launched in 2006, resulting in an additional 280 project contracts. This brings the overall FP6/IST project portfolio to a total of 1114 projects with a total Community funding of more than 3867 M€.

The FP6/IST projects bring together a balanced mix of partners and activities that cover mid- to long-term generic and applied R&D. The portfolio strikes a balance between strengthening leadership and seizing new opportunities in core ICT technologies, and supporting leading ICT applications. In addition, the Future and Emerging Technologies scheme continues to play a pathfinder role for the Programme.

In key industrial fields, such as nanoelectronics, micro and nano-systems, mobile and broadband communications and audio-visual systems, projects contribute to maintaining and further developing Europe’s global position through an improved integration of the research activities. During 2006, research in nanoelectronics made further progress towards reducing the size of current components on a chip deep into the nano-scale, providing European industry with an important competitive advantage. The domain of micro and nano-systems pushed the limits of current technologies for higher density integration and integration of various materials. Activities in the field of communication and networking technologies moved into the next phase, including notably large integrated projects entering the verification stage.

European industry and academia are also exploring new opportunities and preparing for new markets. Present IST projects help find new fields for industry and business development, especially in areas such as opto-electronics, embedded systems, intelligent interfaces, cognitive systems and security-related developments. During 2006, photonics projects focussed in particular on achieving “photonic systems on a chip”. Embedded systems projects developed systems with higher cost-efficiency, optimal performance, higher confidence, reduced time-to-market and faster deployment capacities. In the area of interfaces, new projects addressed multilingual technologies including machine translation and sensory modalities such as vision, hearing, speech, emotions and gesture capture. Projects in the area of cognition pursued the ambitious research objective of creating artificial cognitive systems able to understand their environment and behave intelligently. Security and dependability projects continued developing knowledge and technologies to manage and control complex and interdependent systems, in order to secure modern information systems and networks.

Europe is also well positioned to exploit new markets that will emerge from the deployment of societal applications based on the next generation of ICT technologies and services. The current portfolio includes a large number of projects that contribute to the application of ICT in healthcare, to the improvement of our safety on roads and to the exploitation of novel technologies for learning and cultural expression. In 2006, eHealth projects pursued their research agenda towards creating 'intelligent environments' that allow anywhere, anytime management of each person's health status, and that assist health professionals. The domain of eSafety & cooperative systems for road transport pursued the development of cooperative and networked ICT systems for greater transport efficiency and increased safety. Under the heading of technology-enhanced learning, projects were launched to deal with learning organisations, competence building, collaborative learning and communities of practice.

Priorities for ICT research under FP7 set for future challenges

A main activity during 2006 was the preparation of the ICT parts of FP7. This involved both the definition of the content of future Work Programmes (WP) as well as operational aspects.

The input to the WP came from the following main sources: The i2010 ICT policy framework and in particular its flagship initiatives; the IST Advisory Group (ISTAG) and in particular its reports on 'Shaping Europe's Future through ICT' and 'Orientations for Work Programme in FP7'; the Strategic Research Agendas of the European Technology Platforms; wide consultations including more than 100 thematic meetings with various constituencies throughout the year; and lessons learned from previous IST Calls for Proposals as well as impact analysis and project portfolio analyses.

The first ICT Work Programme under FP7 specifies priorities for Calls for Proposals in 2007. It is articulated around seven challenges of strategic importance to Europe’s industry, economy and society.

Three of the challenges aim at technology, industrial and business leadership addressing topics of (i) Converged communication and service infrastructures; (ii) The engineering of more robust, context-aware and easy-to-use ICT systems; and (iii) Increasingly smaller, cheaper, more reliable and low consumption electronic components and systems. In addition, the Future and Emerging Technologies scheme looks beyond today’s concepts and paradigms.

Four challenges aim at socio-economic goals that will drive future ICT innovations. These include: (i) Making Europe a world leader in digital content and knowledge production and use; (ii) More sustainable health systems with ICT enhancing our ability to monitor our health and well-being and to treat major illnesses and diseases; (iii) Intelligent and safer mobility and technologies for sustainable development and energy efficiency; and (iv) Better inclusion and independent living of all citizens with ICT.

European Technology Platforms in ICT are cornerstones to industry and technology leadership

European Technology Platforms in the ICT area have been cornerstones for the approach to make FP7 act as a key to industry and technology leadership.

So far, nine ETPs have been launched in the ICT area: ENIAC – the European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council, ARTEMIS – the Advanced R&D on Embedded Intelligent Systems Platform, PHOTONICS21 – the European Photonics Research Initiative, EPOSS – the Smart Systems Integration Platform; eMobility – the Mobile and Wireless Communications Technology Platform, NESSI – the Networked European Software and Services Initiative, ISI – the Integral Satellite Communications Initiative, NEM – the Networked and Electronic Media Platform; and EUROP – the European Robotics Platform. Two of the platforms, EPOSS and EUROP, were launched in 2006.

The nine ETPs have been instrumental in establishing Strategic Research Agendas that set out what needs to be done to make sure that Europe is among the ICT leaders in the next ten years. This, in turn, has played a valuable role in making the ICT Work Programme in FP7 more strategic and better focused.

Joint Technology Initiatives for leadership in Embedded Computing Systems and Nanoelectronics

Two of the ETPs are the basis for Joint Technology Initiatives (JTI): ARTEMIS on embedded computing systems and ENIAC on nanoelectronics. During 2006, details were developed for the legislative proposal for the Joint Undertaking that will implement the JTIs.

These JTIs will combine, for the first time, a critical mass of national, EU and private resources within one coherent, flexible and efficient legal framework. They will also ramp up R&D investment in Europe by providing incentives to industry and Member States to increase their R&D expenditure.

The overarching objective of these two JTIs in the ICT area is to realise Europe’s potential in the future markets for intelligent products, processes and services. The aim of ARTEMIS is to achieve world leadership in embedded technologies, allowing the cost-effective deployment of seamlessly connected systems and the spearheading of applications that enhance the safety, security and well-being of citizens. ENIAC aims to achieve world excellence in nanoelectronics, allowing the development of future generations of electronic components and their use in virtually any high-tech products and services.

Joint national research programme on Ambient Assisted Living

During 2006, significant progress was also made in the setting up of a joint R&D programme entitled Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) in the field of ICT for ageing well in the information society.

AAL will address the demographic ageing challenge by fostering the emergence of new innovative ICT-based products and services for independent living of elderly people, thus increasing their quality of life and autonomy and reducing the costs of their care.

The initiative will support stakeholders by providing a critical mass and a coherent European approach for developing interoperable solutions in this field and also adapt these to national/regional social preferences and regulations.

1.2.3. Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Intelligent Materials, New Production Processes

Integrate European research for the transformation of the industry

A major transformation of industry and of the industrial environment is essential for the European economy to grow at an acceptable rate. Policy actions and research activities building on a unique combination of nanosciences, materials technologies and production are contributing in a major way towards the creation of a knowledge-based and sustainable economy. Fundamentally different approaches as well as new concepts of production and consumption patterns are being explored. Particular effort has been directed towards small and medium-sized enterprises and their contribution to innovative technical solutions. Actions were also pursued to support valorisation of research results through exploitation strategy seminars.

An Action Plan for Europe (2005-2009)

The Action Plan on Nanotechnology proposed by the Commission, which makes states what the Commission and the Member States must do in order to keep Europe at the forefront in this field, was the subject of a very positive resolution by the European Parliament in September 2006. Through implementing the Action Plan, research funding is coupled with policy priorities, making research a real policy instrument and allowing coherence between Community and Member States' activities. With the full agreement of the Member States, funds have been allocated to the support of a responsible but, at the same time, assertive policy in nanotechnology research and development to strengthen Europe's position and to accelerate industrial innovation and change, while addressing any potential public health, safety, environmental and consumer risks upfront and also addressing other socially relevant objectives.

Technology Platforms: an important dimension

The finalisation of the Strategic Research Agendas (SRA) of more than 15 Technology Platforms on industrial sectors has contributed to the overarching objective of proposing a holistic strategy to speed up the rate of industrial change in Europe. In this effort, the Technology Platforms are assisted by a number of national platforms with the final goal of building the European Research Area in industrial technologies. Despite challenges from low-wage economies, the future of manufacturing in Europe has an important role as part of a sustainable, knowledge-based society, but this requires continuous product and process innovation. The Manufuture Technology Platform aims at combining European efforts with those of the Member States to develop a common long-term vision. The 1st Manufuture Industrial Advisory Group meeting, organised in Porto (PT) represented a crucial step in the recognition of the political importance of manufacturing in Europe. Moreover, the Manufuture conference held in Tampere (FI) in October 2006 marked the transition from planning to concrete actions considered necessary to sustain the competitiveness and employment capacity of the European manufacturing industry in a globalised economy. As a second example, with the Nanomedicine Technology Platform, a mechanism for bringing together European stakeholders on nanomedicine for the application of nanotechnology to achieve breakthroughs in healthcare has been activated. This platform has a federating effect, stimulating coordination and synergies of actions launched by Member States.

Nanotechnology: the key technology of the 21 st century

As reflected in the Action Plan, nanotechnology is expected to be one of the key technologies of the 21st century. Research actions in nanosciences and nanotechnologies are providing a considerable impact in terms of new products which have a positive effect on the quality of life of the general public and which can solve problems in health, energy and the environment. Funding provided to research projects has already led to remarkable impact, e.g. in the field of the development of new optical and electronic organic materials which are expected to revolutionise many areas of industry, and by providing low cost and flexible electronic circuits and optical displays on polymeric substrates with very good environmental characteristics.

The project for "Nanoscale integrated processing of self-organising multifunctional organic materials" (NAIMO) is unique in that it will transform a plastic film substrate into a multifunctional composite. This will be achieved by combining organic nanoelectronics with solution-based additive manufacturing techniques such as printing. The results of the project are expected to contribute to the development of new products, such as organic electronic chips and displays, sensors, flexible solar cells and magnetic structures. These directly benefit health, welfare, security and the environment, while improving the competitiveness of European industry. This integrated project, although still a year from completion, has already achieved significant impact: it contributed to the creation of a spin-off company and to the expansion of a second one, involving venture capital. The project has already resulted in nine patent applications and 169 publications. The NANOBEAMS Network of Excellence, which is dedicated to the integration of European research in the field of nanomaterials analysis techniques, has successfully set up a European PhD School on "Nanoanalysis using finely focused ion and electro beams". Being the only one of its kind in the world, this PhD School focuses on three complementary techniques, with the purpose of training specialists in the field. The school is open to scientists with a degree in physics, biology or materials sciences. It provides a complete and up-to-date teaching course on the fundamental, instrumental and technical applications of this topic.

Materials: the transition lynch pin towards high value-added products

Policy actions continue to reinforce Europe’s deep knowledge base in materials science. The mastery of materials is essential for improving EU competitiveness and for fulfilling people's aspirations. Research actions are aimed at developing new advanced materials with a high knowledge content and improved performance. For example, a prototype artificial pancreas suitable for encapsulation of insulin-secreting tissue and small enough for the implementation in the human body has been developed. Initial testing of the device showed a good response and a method for the preparation of human pancreatic islets for use in a device suitable for humans has also been identified. The artificial pancreas offers the best hope for an end to insulin injections for diabetics. Another field to be mentioned is research on high performance nanostructured coated conductors by chemical processing. Key objectives were reached in producing an all-metal organic deposition wire with a quality and properties that make this the most promising result achieved worldwide so far in view of the commercial development of High Temperature Superconductors (HTS). The period 2006-2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the discovery of HTS, but the importance of this discovery has been tempered by difficulties in processing these materials due to their particular crystal structures. Research now shows great promise, with an indication that the production of HTS wires on an industrial scale might be possible in a rather short time period. It should also be highlighted that successful workshops in the field of materials were organised with Indian and Chinese institutions.

Production: the mainstay of the European economy and employment

Policy actions have been aimed at ensuring that industrial capacities, knowledge generation and RTD skills expand in Europe, since these are key determinants of prosperity, the quality of life, sustainability and employment prospects. European companies, particularly SMEs, must evolve and modernise their production processes by fostering new engineering approaches. For example, the European Robot Initiative is an on-going integrated project with the aim of strengthening the productivity of SMEs in manufacturing. This project is developing affordable and versatile robots with significantly reduced changeover and instruction times for use in traditionally manual workplaces. Also, a Network of Excellence on innovative production machines and systems for flexible and intelligent manufacturing aiming at the "Factory of tomorrow" is developing concepts, tools and techniques enabling the creation and operation of flexible, reconfigurable, fault-tolerant and eco-and user-friendly production systems. It will result in the setting up of an EU virtual Centre of Excellence able to share people, ideas and infrastructures for competitive manufacturing research, and has leading involvement in the development of international standards.

1.2.4. Aeronautics and Space

Air transport has seen a tremendous development in Europe over the past years. The air transport sector accounts for around EUR 300 billion in value added and 2.6% of the EU-25 GDP, with strong growth also foreseen for the coming years. At present, the sector employs 3.1 million people in Europe. EU R&D programmes are one of the contributors to this development, while not being granted to individual manufacturers but to consortia. By developing structures for lighter materials and composites, the making of more environmentally friendly engines, better performing equipment, systems and operational concepts, EU funding has contributed to improving industrial competitiveness within an enlarged Europe whilst minimising the negative impact on environment, energy usage, safety, security and public health.

Activities in the Space sector have been focussing on complementing efforts by Member States and by other key players, including the European Space Agency.

In November 2005, the Commission adopted a Communication on GMES, with the objective to provide, on a sustained basis, reliable and timely services related to environmental and security issues in support of public policy makers’ needs. It sets out a strategy for delivering operational GMES services by 2008, starting with the pilot phase of three first fast track services. Following extensive consultation with GMES Member States stakeholders, remaining FP6 resources have been focused on these fast track services.

Aeronautics

Cleaner, safer and less noisy

In 2006, most of the work was dedicated to the final stages of the aeronautics part of the FP6 thematic priority “Aeronautics and Space”. 173 FP6 projects are presently being carried out with an EU contribution of EUR 827 million. Their proper monitoring is essential to ensure the best use of resources. Among the many important projects: "Significantly Lower Community Exposure to Aircraft Noise" (SILENCER) is worth noting. It has already produced important results, some of which have been introduced in aircrafts under development. A special inlet for the engine (zero splice liner) which has already been introduced on the new A380 has been shown to reduce the forward engine noise significantly. AIRBUS has received the "Decibel d'Or" reward for this development. The "Airborne New Advanced Satellite Techniques and Technologies in A System Integrated Approach" (ANASTASIA) project aims to provide on-board satellite-based communication, navigation and surveillance solutions to cope with the foreseen doubling of air traffic by 2020. A beneficial consequence of this better management of airspace capacity will be reductions in air pollution, noise and fuel consumption and increased safety. AERONET, a thematic network on the reduction of aircraft emissions, intends to identify gaps in knowledge and to support the policy and regulatory process, to strengthen the body of European expertise addressing the aircraft emissions problem.

Integrating actors all over Europe in aeronautics and air transport

Europe has a long record of cooperation in civil aeronautical research which has borne fruit, most visibly in the highly successful Airbus consortium but, until now, it has been largely confined to the seven countries with the strongest aeronautical sectors. A new ERA-NET Coordination Action, Air Transport Net (AirTN), was launched in 2006 which will extend that collaboration to all European countries with significant aeronautical research programmes. By coordinating national research efforts and launching joint activities, AirTN will help Europe’s aeronautics industry to respond to the technological and environmental challenges of the future.

Promoting international cooperation with Russia and China

The target has been the promotion and reinforcement of international cooperation to exploit unused potential in domains of common importance, through enhanced participation of third countries in the Call for Proposals, bilateral collaboration and multilateral activities.

In 2006, a specific Call for Proposals was launched to incorporate third countries into existing FP6 projects. The cooperation with Russia and China has received particular attention. The second EU-Russia workshop on cooperation in aeronautics research took place in Brussels in April 2006. It was attended by around 150 participants. All major players from both parties were present. The examination of new avenues for cooperation during FP7 was amongst the topics addressed. As a follow-up, a scientific workshop EU-Russia, took place in November 2006 at CIMNE in Barcelona aiming to identify areas of collaboration in simulation and modelling. Within the AeroChina Specific Support Action, an open seminar and review workshop in aeronautics took place in Xian in October 2006, aiming to identify win-win areas of collaboration in FP7. The Chinese state-industry AVIC1 and MOST, the Chinese Ministry of S&T, co-organised the event. The European aerospace industry and research was well represented.

Aeronautics Days 2006

The fifth edition of Aeronautics Days was held in Vienna from 19 to 21 June. Aeronautics Days 2006 offered stakeholders from across Europe and around the world the opportunity to discuss economic, environmental and societal challenges of air transport, debate future priorities in European aeronautics research and present results of current research. It was organised jointly with the Austrian presidency and attracted 900 participants from 41 countries. The opening ceremony included the participation of Commissioner Potočnik, the Austrian Secretary of State, MEPs, representatives of all major aeronautics companies, the research community and public authorities, and a large contingent of Europe’s best and brightest aerospace students. The theme of the event was “Sustainable solutions for new horizons”.

The “Clean Sky” Joint Technology Initiative

While the aeronautics industry recognizes the need to rapidly introduce more environmentally-friendly technologies, significant investment in research is necessary for substantial innovation in this area. Based initially on ACARE work and successive developments, the Commission has launched the concept of a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) in the field of Aeronautics and Air Transport: the “Clean Sky” JTI, which aims at a quantum leap in the technological capability of Europe by 2020 and beyond, producing aircraft that will have minimal environmental impact and that will ensure EU industrial competitiveness. The planned JTI “Clean Sky” will deliver the various technology demonstrators, including flight test vehicles that will be essential for successful market introduction. “Clean Sky” is shaping up as an activity focused on the development of large-scale flight and ground demonstrators for vehicles and major systems. As such, it will fill a current gap in the RTD cycle at European level, which is the lack of capability to integrate RTD activities into large-scale demonstrators. The main EU aeronautics industry stakeholders have been developing the “Clean Sky” JTI concept since mid 2005. The proposal on this JTI was adopted by the Commission on 13 June 2007.

Space

In 2006 a third call was launched and proposals evaluated. The allocated budget of 45 M€ was dedicated to strengthening the GMES and Satcom end-to end service development.

In the GMES field, the widening of application fields covered in FP6 has been the goal, whereas in Satcom the convergence of satellite communications with GMES and GALILEO has been targeted primarily.

Given the ultimate goal of both the GMES and SatCom areas in the Space programme, which is to facilitate the development of (pre)operational services, the Commission gave priority to the negotiations of five of the six Integrated Projects that have passed all thresholds (three for GMES and two for SatCom). Nevertheless, because of the availability of additional budgets, a number of projects could be selected for funding using conventional instruments like Specific Targeted Research Projects (STREP) and Specific Support Actions (SSA).

A specific Support Action of about 5 M€ had been negotiated with ESA as the predefined beneficiary (in compliance with Art, 9.2 (a) of the Rules for Participation) with the objective of supporting the “Soyuz in Kourou” Programme of ESA. The related project “Soymantry” started on 1 January 2006 with a duration of 40 months.

International cooperation

Under the 3rd call, progress has been made in INCO participation, which was rather weak in the first and second call. Amongst the proposals negotiated and partly contracted in 2006, in particular in the traditional instruments, there are a relatively large number of partners from INCO countries (about 17 % of participants, i.e. Russia, China, South Africa, Kasachstan and Ukraine). This is the result of several actions, including a number of dedicated meetings, partly organised in the corresponding countries, to stimulate interest in the Space activities of FP6.

In the framework of the “Common Economic Space” between the European Union and the Russian Federation a Space Dialogue has been established incorporating also ESA activities with the Russian Space Agency. The cooperation covers all areas of space activities and specific working groups will identify promising fields for future cooperation to be implemented jointly under the EU, ESA and Russian space programmes.

1.2.5. Food Quality and Safety

The Food Quality and Safety (FQS) priority aims at ensuring the health and well-being of European citizens through a better understanding of the influence of food intake and environmental factors on human health, providing safer, high-quality and health-promoting food. It contributes to the complex task of transforming knowledge in life sciences into innovations for society and the economy, for example through high-value bio-refinery products, innovative food and a cleaner environment, thus placing consumers as the main drivers and promoting a European Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy[17] (KBBE).

European Knowledge-based Bio-economy

Research, Knowledge and Innovation in the food sector are strategic policy issues closely linked to Europe's competitiveness and future prosperity. Complex innovations, adaptations and re-configurations reflect not only the progress in technology and science, but also new social norms, institutions and new mechanisms of trust in the public domain that involve economic, civil and institutional components. In 2006, the European Research Policy on Food Agriculture and Biotechnology placed special emphasis on supporting and strengthening these complementary relationships. EU research policy has also paid particular attention to some well-known animal diseases demanding immediate action, such as the bluetongue and avian influenza.

As actors of the Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy, members of the large FQS community addressed a number of hot research issues: the quest for more quality food, the sustainable production and use of renewable bio-resources, and the food-related disorders such as obesity and allergies. Other projects were funded to address threats to the sustainability and security of agricultural and fisheries production resulting from dramatic climate change and infectious diseases. A dedicated call for projects on Avian Influenza was launched in cooperation with the Health Priority.

Overall, 68 new research projects were funded in 2006 for a total EU contribution of more than EUR 250 million.

Building a European knowledge-based bio-economy[18]

Workshops for Heads of seven Technology Platforms[19] and Coordinators of ten related ERA-NET[20] projects were organised to ensure the systematic exchange of information in existing programmes and activities, to identify common strategic issues and to discuss the use of converging technologies. The Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) contributed significantly to the formulation of innovative agricultural research in FP7 on the basis of its foresight activities and the working group discussions. Moreover, the KBBE-Net, a network of high-level officials from Member States, was created to facilitate the coordination of policy responses to shared challenges in key areas. The Work Programme for the first FP7 Call published in December 2006 focused on the research required to promote the KBBE in Europe. In addition, the preparation of the mid-term review of the Strategy on Life Science and Biotechnology is an essential element in the implementation of the KBBE.

Conference on the first results from FP6 "Food Quality and Safety Research"

During the whole of FP6, 189 projects, representing an EU contribution of more than EUR 750 million brought together more than 3,000 participants from all over Europe and the world.

These projects contribute to providing new, sustainable, safer, affordable, eco-efficient[21] and competitive products to the European consumer and help to address diet-related disorders and infectious diseases, therefore improving the well-being and health of the European citizens.

They also contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of European industry and SMEs. A number of very interesting first results, ranging from organic farming to new insights into allergies and animal diseases, were presented in Brussels in December 2006 at a conference entitled "Food Quality and Safety Research: First Results from FP6"[22]. The event was held in the European Parliament and attracted more than 180 participants from research institutions and councils, industrial associations, advisory bodies and policy makers.

Positive physiological effects of omega 3 fatty acids in fish

In the field of nutrition and health, the "SEAFOODplus" project aims to improve the health and well-being of the European consumer by promoting higher fish consumption. It has delivered very interesting results, among which: a better understanding of how consumers perceive seafood, allowing the implementation of new strategies for increasing consumption for the population groups needing it most, the positive physiological effects of omega 3 fatty acids in fish diets on post natal depression, and novel smoking methods, dehydration and sterilisation methods that have been developed and are being commercially tested.

Improving the quality and safety of food without damaging the environment

The "QUALITY LOW INPUT FOOD" project aims to improve organic and "low input" cereal production systems. Production protocols have been developed, which allow reductions in production costs while maintaining or improving product quality and safety and environmental impact. The economic effect of introducing innovation into commercial practice is currently being estimated for a range of commodities.

Assessing the health risks associated with heat-generated food toxicants

The heating of meat and other protein rich foods can generate various kinds of potentially hazardous compounds, some of which are genotoxic and carcinogenic, but so far there is little information and poor understanding of how these compounds are formed in food. The "Heat-generated Food Toxicants" (HEATOX) project intends to learn more about the formation and risk of acrylamide[23] in food. The results of "HEATOX" have made important contributions to prepare the "Draft European Commission Recommendation on the monitoring of acrylamide levels in food" and to the "CIAA Acrylamide Toolbox" drafted by the European Federation of the Food and Drink Industry describing details of existing methods to reduce acrylamide in foods.

Chemicals as contaminants in the food chain

The "CASCADE" Network of Excellence has helped to collect fragmented European research in the health risks posed by chemical pollutants in food, and especially focused on 'endocrine disrupter' chemicals which affect hormone receptors and accumulate in both the environment and the body.

Improvement of animal welfare in Europe

The results of the "Integration of animal welfare in the food quality chain: from public concern to improved welfare and transparent quality" (WELFARE QUALITY) project include the development of a prototype of WELFARE scheme using animal-based measures which will be tested from 2007 and which will contribute to improving the diversification and societal sustainability of farm animal production in Europe.

Diagnosis and control of epizootic diseases

The Network of Excellence "Epizootic Diseases Diagnosis and Control" (EPIZONE) was launched in 2006. It brings together the major European laboratories involved in this area and two Chinese institutions and foresees projections in all of the other continents. The EPIZONE teams working in the area of bluetongue were very actively involved in the control of the bluetongue outbreak in Northern Europe.

Europe plays an important role in Life Sciences worldwide

An important achievement in the field of life sciences in 2006 was the renewal of the agreement on the EC-US Task Force on Biotechnology Research for a period of 5 more years. This highlights Europe's determination to remain an important global player in Life Sciences and Biotechnology by furthering cooperation with other strong research communities in the context of FP7.

1.2.6. Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems

Sustainable Surface Transport

Surface transport encompasses road, rail and waterborne transport modes, each of which plays an essential role in people’s daily lives. Efficient surface transport is a critical economic factor, supporting competitiveness and employment.

A strategic vision for maritime transport in 2020

In 2006, most work was dedicated to the final stages of the Sustainable Surface Transport part of FP6. 169 FP6 projects are presently being carried out with an EU contribution of EUR 493 million. All of these activities are contributing to the progressive integration of research at European level, towards genuine and productive synergies among research policies, to projects, and to the emergence of future partnerships. Technology Platforms ERRAC (rail), ERTRAC (road) and WATERBORNE (waterborne), as well as EIRAC (intermodal) and EURFORUM (urban) Coordination Actions have been major engines in achieving this integration, preparing vision documents and strategic research agendas. In 2006, a new strategic vision for waterborne transport in 2020, published by the European Waterborne Technology Platform was launched at an annual reception of the Community of European Shipyards Association (CESA) and the European Marine Equipment Council (EMEC), in Brussels. Maritime transport is a sector of strategic importance to Europe, given that 90% of the EU's external trade and 40% of its internal trade is transported by sea. Much of the world's shipping is owned by Europeans, and the turnover of Europe's maritime transport sector is over EUR 137 billion. The WATERBORNE project has produced its strategic research agenda, which provides a realistic framework for converting this vision into reality.

Green Paper "Towards a Future Maritime Policy for the Union "

A key element of the above-mentioned activities is their substantial contribution to Sustainable Development. The projects are developing critical technologies to face the many critical problems relating to transport and the environment (recycling, pollution and noise reduction), mobility (modal shift and intermodality, urban transport, connectivity and interoperability), safety and security, and Europe’s competitiveness. Safety and security are growing concerns for citizens, the travelling public, businesses and governments around the world. Every year, about 50,000 Europeans die in road accidents, while train accidents continue to occur across Europe, despite major improvements in safety systems. Maritime transport is safer and causes less contamination, due to strict controls introduced as a response to major accidents, although the introduction of new types of vessels and mobility patterns require further measures. Ambitious policies to reduce transport-related risks rely on state-of-the-art research and technological development. In that context, the Maritime Policy Task Force played an active role in the preparation of the Green Paper “Towards a Future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European Vision for the Oceans and Seas”, which was adopted on 7 June 2006 and launched at “The European Maritime Policy and the Regions” Conference in the Azores which took place in June 2006.

EU and Russia signed a Joint Statement on Rail Transport Research cooperation

A ‘kick-off’ workshop on EU-Russian cooperation on rail transport research took place in Moscow in April 2006. The result was a new ‘EU-Russian Railway Research Joint Statement’ and an ‘Action Plan’ aimed at establishing an operational platform for EU-Russian collaboration in this strategic transport arena.

In view to increasing cooperation between Europe and Russia, but also with countries like China, India, Brazil and South Africa, a Specific Call was launched to involve partners from targeted third countries in FP6 projects.

Conference & EXPO TRA 2006: Greener, safer and smarter road transport for Europe

In 2006, a major international conference and exhibition on road transport research 'Transport Research Arena (TRA)', jointly organised by the Commission services, the CEDR, the Conference of European Directors of Roads, and ERTRAC, the Advisory Council for European Road Transport Research, was held in Gothenburg in June. It has set the basis for a permanent bi-annual conference and exhibition on surface transport research which will represent the European counterpart of the American TRB conference. It is hoped that TRA 2006 has played a role in creating a more sustainable, safer and more efficient road transport system in Europe.

Environment

Environmental problems go beyond national frontiers and require a coordinated approach at a pan-European and often global level. With the overall aim of promoting the sustainable management of the environment and its resources, EU research has the objective to strengthen the capacity to understand, detect and predict and global change and develop strategies for prevention, mitigation and adaptation, and to preserve the ecosystems and protect biodiversity, including the sustainable use of land and marine resources. The overall budget allocated to environmental research projects in FP6 was EUR 852 million, of which 214 engaged in 2006.

European land use: creation of land use alternatives for sustainable development

The Integrated Sink Enhancement Assessment (INSEA) project created a methodology utilised for the impact assessment of erosion control measures for the Soil Thematic Strategy launched by the Commission. In parallel, the "Sustainability Impact Assessment: Tools for Environmental, Social and Economic Effects of Multifunctional Land Use in European Regions" (SENSOR) project developed a new typology of European regions combining social, economic and environmental characteristics. This methodology was adopted by the European Environmental Agency. Both projects are a tool for identifying alternative land uses within Climate Change policies, facilitating technological adoption, forestation and bio fuels.

Oceans contain 90% of the life forms on our planet: researchers explain how to use and protect them

The "Hotspot Ecosystem Research on the Margins of European Seas" (HERMES) project is a major international research project on Europe’s deep seas. It is implementing a science policy interface linking research and policy. It also provides policymakers and stakeholders with good, relevant and timely scientific knowledge in support of European and international deep-sea governance. The results of this research were shown in a documentary on Europe's mud volcanoes, which can still be viewed online via the EuroNews website[24]. The project seeks to understand how to protect the oceans, their fauna and flora for the future.

Earth Observation: the EU contribution to the world effort on data collection

In 2005 the Group on Earth Observation (GEO), an international partnership of countries, the Commission and international organisations, embarked on establishing a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) within the next 10 years. In 2006, the GEONETCast project began to provide Europe and Africa with a global data dissemination system that can continuously distribute data and information directly to end-users, minutes after its acquisition 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Desertification: published results of ten years' research activities for mitigation of land degradation and desertification in Southern Europe

Many FP6-funded research projects on desertification have covered a wide spectrum of topics from the biophysical to its policy dimensions. Among the main achievements is the variety of methods developed to better study the biophysical aspects of land degradation and desertification, as well as desertification risk assessment and land degradation assessment. The results of these research projects are now available through the OPOCE in a specific publication of the Commission[25]. This publication is a direct contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) for the restoration of desertified areas.

Promoting European-funded innovative technologies and integrated methodologies for solving water problems

The real-time flood decision support system integrating hydrological, meteorological and remote sensing radar technologies (FLOODRELIEF) project has developed a new powerful and highly accessible Internet-based real-time decision support system. This system has advanced the capabilities and accuracy of present forecasting systems and has demonstrated the ability of such systems to save lives and property. The results of this project, together with results from other EC-funded projects, were presented in two major international water forums: the World Water Forum in Mexico City in March and the IWA World Water Conference in Beijing in September.

European research results presented at an event of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference in Nairobi

The African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA) provides African decision-makers with an improved assessment of rainfall changes which are likely to occur during the 21st century as a result of anticipated global climate change. In parallel, "Developing Arctic Modelling and Observing Capabilities for Long-term Environmental Studies" (DAMOCLES) is an integrated ice-atmosphere-ocean monitoring and forecasting system specifically concerned with significantly reduced sea ice cover. Both projects facilitate the analysis of possible impacts on environment and human activities. By observing, understanding and quantifying climate changes, a broad perspective is given to decision-makers and stakeholders to consider adaptation to climate change.

Researchers develop new method for better Mediterranean Tsunami warnings

The " Tsunami Risk ANd Strategies For the European Region" ( TRANSFER) and "Seismic eArly warning For EuRope" (SAFER) projects are elaborating an early warning Tsunami system for the Mediterranean. A specific EuroNews video presented[26] interviews of key scientists and presents the first results of on-going work using sophisticated seismometers, computer modelling, animations and data-sharing networks. The projects contribute to the development of an effective early warning system to protect those who live along sensitive European coastlines.

Energy

Energy technologies are tools which will help Europe to face the joint issues of global climate change, the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions, energy independence and competitiveness. The sustainable energy component of this priority supports the development of the range of technologies necessary to provide Europe with clean, reliable and affordable technology. It had a budget of EUR 124 million for 2006. Forty three projects were launched in the last year of FP6 in the areas of Conversion, Transport and Renewable Energy Sources. It also supports the development of the European Area of Energy Research necessary for a true Europe of Energy. It is worth noting that projects in that area are also funded outside the Framework Programme under the research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (see section below).

Energy conversion and distribution systems

The aim is to develop cleaner, efficient and CO2 free conversion systems as well as more resilient and intelligent energy networks able to deal with the challenges of the future.

Three European Technology Platforms aim to integrate activities and to develop links with the European actors concerned. Dealing with Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants and Future Electricity Networks, they developed their respective visions for the necessary research strategies throughout 2006.

As a result of the interest shown by stakeholders, the preparation of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative, aiming to create a critical mass of interest, competence and resources at EU level, continued with the intention of making a proposal in 2007.

The capture and transport of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources to an appropriate site for secure and long-term storage is one of the most promising technologies for CO2 free conversion systems. A high profile project launched in 2006 includes "CO2REMOVE", which looks at the important issues of reliability and safety of CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS).

For future electricity networks, large projects studying alternative advanced architectures for future distribution networks with a high Renewable Energy Source (RES) and Distributed electricity Generators (DG) penetration have started the on-site validation of the most promising concepts. Furthermore, in line with the Energy Green Paper 2006, the preparatory work on the possible creation of a European Centre for Energy Networks has continued.

International cooperation has strongly developed. An agreement was signed with China for the demonstration of a near-zero emissions coal power plant with carbon dioxide capture and storage. The EU has also co-financed a project with the US on the development of fuel cells for residential heating.

New and renewable energy sources

One of the main European energy policy targets is the development of a range of technologies to complement and replace fossil fuels for electricity and fuel production. Renewable sources such as wind, Photo Voltaic, Bio Fuels, ocean and biomass are supported and it is aimed to bring them to a competitive level.

Nowhere has the progress of renewable energies been more spectacular than in the area of wind. Because of the combination of research activities and public support measures, wind energy has become a major component of CO2 free indigenous electricity production in countries such as Denmark, Germany and Spain. The Up Wind Project, launched in April 2006, looks towards the wind power of the future, where very large turbines of 8 to perhaps 20 MW will stand in wind farms of several hundred MW, the order of a unit of a nuclear power plant.

The new European Technology Platform on Bio Fuels launched in 2006 is the most recent initiative of this nature following the one on Photo Voltaic. It aims to develop cost-competitive, world-class bio fuel technologies to achieve the vision that the EU will cover one fourth of its road transport fuel needs by clean and CO2-efficient Bio Fuels by 2030, allowing the European economy and citizens to bypass or buffer possible oil shortages or oil price peaks.

Towards a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan

The Commission released a series of communication proposing "An Energy Policy for Europe" at the end of 2006. This package includes the Communication "Towards a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan", highlighting the key role of energy technology and stressing the need for a sea-change in European energy technology and innovation from basic research to market take-up needed in order to address the challenges of security of supply, climate change and competitiveness.

1.2.7. Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-Based Society

Launching FP7 – Consultations and publication of the first Work Programme

A large web consultation was organised on the Socio-Economic and Humanities (SESH) research agenda for the first FP7 Work Programme in order to obtain the views of the scientific community and interested stakeholders. Note was taken of the comments content in the 450 responses received. These helped to structure the first calls for proposals that were published on 22 December. These calls concentrate on 33 research topics and 7 strategic topics, including impact assessment studies of the EU research in SESH. The research topics address important issues for the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas, new trends in European societies such as demographic changes and civic participation, but also the development of new and more reliable socio-economic and scientific indicators. Besides, a totally new area for research called "Europe and the world" is opened up. It relates to the wider political and economic role of the EU as a world region.

The impact of the EU Socio-Economic and Humanities Priority on research

In 2006, there was the first opportunity to look at the impact of the SESH FP6 funding on research. From 2002 to 2006, 169 SESH projects were funded under Priority "Citizens and Governance in a Knowledge-based society" (as well as, to a certain extent, under Priority "Specific Measures Covering a Wider Filed of Research), involving 2,043 participants from 67 countries. A formal impact assessment study of EU SESH research on policy and science will be launched at the start of FP7.

Improving international cooperation in socio-economic sciences and the humanities in FP6

2006 saw the launch of a specific dedicated Call for the strengthening of international cooperation in the SESH programme. FP6 has included 77 international cooperation partners from 33 different countries in 35 projects, which is a clear improvement since FP5. Besides, regular contacts are now made with the US National Science Foundation, which materialised through a joint seminar on "Towards big social science; transatlantic perspectives" at the Euroscience Open Forum in Germany, and the UNESCO, with the participation of the Commission in the Steering Committee at the Buenos Aires International Forum on "The social-science-policy nexus" which brought together 2,000 participants from more than 80 countries.

1.2.8. Specific Measures Covering a Wider Field of Research

International Scientific Cooperation – From Knowledge to Action

Activities in international cooperation aim to enhance the production of knowledge and scientific excellence by enabling European universities, research institutions and firms to establish contact with their partners in third countries, thereby facilitating access to research environments outside Europe and promoting synergies on a global scale.

European research meets the world

The FP6 Work Programme in support of international cooperation was successfully completed with about EUR 350 million invested in collaborative research actions between EU and Developing countries (comprising Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) countries, Asian and Latin American countries), Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs), the Western Balkans, Russia and the Newly Independent States. In addition, specific Calls for Proposals were implemented targeting the increase of capacities of the best research institutes in Associated Candidate Countries for a better integration of these countries into the Framework Programmes and the European Research Area as a contribution to full integration. In 2006, this concerned three countries, Bulgaria, Romania (becoming Member States) and Turkey. For FP6 a total of 393 specific international cooperation contracts were signed involving EU and third country participants in equitable partnerships.

Key thematic foci of the specific international scientific cooperation addressing the specific socio-economic context of partner countries and regions were health and health systems, food security and sustainable use of natural resources and their ecosystems. The combination of these thrusts is considered critical for sustainable development in partner regions. Water and agriculture under conditions of desertification and scarcity, renewable energies as well as cultural heritage were the strongest collaborative themes with MPCs. Thematic thrusts with Russia and the other NIS focused on environmental and other challenges of these transition economies. Priorities were principally derived in response to international commitments (international conventions, Millennium Development Goals, etc.) and through policy dialogue with the countries and regions concerned so as to mobilise the best science in response to societal challenges. An illustration of what this can mean to harness successful international scientific cooperation is given below.

An international conference on Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs) took place in Brussels, in November 2006. NIDs are responsible for an estimated 500,000 deaths and millions of disabilities each year, with 90 per cent of cases occurring in low income countries. The conference brought together the European and non-European scientific community including policy makers, research managers, representatives of relevant international NGOs, UN bodies and other interested parties to discuss what needs to be done to increase the impact of EU-funded collaborative research on the control of NIDs. As part of FP6 and its predecessors, the International Cooperation Programme has been one of the few international research funding bodies focussing on the control of NIDs. At present there are 45 active projects with a total budget of EUR 42 million in FP6. The conference gave delegates an opportunity to discuss future European funding strategies for research into NIDs.

Looking at all international scientific cooperation across all components of the 6th Research Framework Programme, mobilisation effects were encouraging. Teams from 188 non-EU countries have participated in research and research coordination proposals across FP6. Of these, 121 were developing countries and emerging economies, so-called INCO target countries. Eventually, some 3,316 teams from 99 INCO target countries have been selected for funding after competitive and independent evaluation of proposals.

Among the INCO target countries with more than 100 individual participations, Russia and China stand out well above the others (in decreasing order: Croatia, Brazil, India, Morocco, South Africa, Serbia and Montenegro, and Tunisia).

International Collaborative Mobilisation Effects of FP6 (2002-2006)

Region (Number of participating INCO countries) | Number of participations in proposals | Number of participations in contracts | Number of countries in the region | Total financial contribution from FP6 (rounded to next '000 Euro)** |

Africa (47) | 2,285 | 476 | 35 | 60,868,000 |

Asia (15) | 3,842 | 689 | 15 | 60,237,000 |

Caribbean (15) | 85 | 9 | 5 | 813,000 |

Latin America (17) | 3,010 | 507 | 17 | 45,549,000 |

Mediterranean Partner Countries (8) | 2,224 | 523 | 8 | 37,917,000 |

Pacific (2) | 21 | 2 | 2 | 89,000 |

Russia and other New Independent States (12) | 4,021 | 684 | 12 | 57,982,000* |

Western Balkan Countries (5) | 2,652 | 426 | 5 | 39,934,000 |

Total (121) | 18,140 | 3316 | 99 | 303,389,000* |

* plus about 50 million Euro invested into scientific cooperation through INTAS

** total resources were higher because contributions to European partners are not included

Research in water management has helped

One of the most prominent goals of the EU is to halve the number of people with no access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation by 2015. Within FP6, continued attention was focused on water; the EU Water Initiative creates action programmes involving a partnership between the EU, Africa and 12 countries from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Research activities under the EU Water Initiative take a pro-active role in promoting research on integrated water resources management that engages fully with stakeholders and therefore has high impact potential[27].

At the Fourth World Water Forum in Mexico in March 2006, the Commission presented an independent review of a sample of about 70 international research projects dedicated to improving the management of water funded under the past and current Framework Programmes. The review shows that the international partnership approach has borne fruit, but there needs to be even more engagement with policy-makers and civil society for the research to have greater impact[28]. As a direct follow-up to recommendations, a workshop was convened for almost 50 researchers from four continents in on-going water research projects to help them improve their communication and engagement capabilities[29].

New and emerging science and technology (NEST)

The full implementation of the New and Emerging Science and Technology ( NEST) activities has been achieved. This activity, which represents a point of departure for Community research in the area of frontier research, has generated broad recognition of the quality and innovation of its trans-disciplinary agenda, including fields such as "synthetic biology" and "measuring the impossible". It has also acted as an important "precursor" to the development and implementation of the ERC (European Research Council).

Scientific support to policies (SSP)

The SSP Programme was completed in 2006, with the evaluation and negotiation and contracts being issued for all projects arising from the 5th call for proposals and the specific call on avian and human influenza. SSP projects' management has been pursued and the contributions to policy developments have been developed in a range of areas (agriculture, fisheries, animal health and welfare, environment, health, migration, security, crime and drugs, economic development and cohesion, energy, transport, information society, cultural heritage). For the purpose of this document, successful projects are illustrated from the specific fields of agriculture and fisheries and health.

Improving the coordination of agricultural and fisheries research efforts across Europe

Scientific Support to Policies supports strategic research directed towards Community policy development and legislation. Research delivers tools and analyses for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common fisheries policy (CFP), trade, rural development, organic agriculture, animal health and welfare, bio security and environment and health issues.

In 2006, 16 new research projects have been funded in the field of fisheries and aquaculture for a total EC contribution of around 15 M€. The last call for proposal provided a wide range of coverage of important topics (Fisheries management, aquaculture, environment and control) in support of the CFP and offered the possibility to address topics such as climate change on fish distribution and a foresight exercise on research needs with the view to prepare FP7. This call represent an important contribution to the implementation of the development and successful implementation of the ongoing CFP which is highly dependent on research and objective advice provided by scientific Institutions.

Major events included a conference in February 2006, organised jointly with the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) to discuss agricultural trade perspectives with Mediterranean Partner Countries[30].

The renewed Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) which includes all 27 Member States, the Candidate Countries and the countries associated to the FP, undertook 3 major initiatives: the mapping of the European research capacity and infrastructure, the starting of a process towards a European research agenda and a foresight exercise on the European agricultural research needs from now until 2020. SCAR Collaborative Working Groups have been set up in 12 thematic areas. They cover thematic fields in which several Member States have a strong interest in European collaboration.

The European Initiative for Agricultural Research for Development (EIARD) is an informal coordination mechanism of European government departments responsible for funding agricultural research for development. EIARD provides the coordination platform for 44% of funds provided to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (around EUR 220 million annually). Elements of coordination include a common strategy for funding agricultural research, for the development at global, regional and national levels.

Research has helped to combat emerging threats in the field of animal infectious diseases.

A dedicated Call in the area of research on animal diseases in particular on avian and pandemic flu was published in December 2005 with a closing date in March 2006. A total of 26 proposals were submitted on avian flu and 11 were selected for funding with a total EU contribution of EUR 14 million and covering all the topics open in the Call, namely vaccines, diagnosis, pathogenesis and transmission, wild birds, virus survival and technology transfer to INCO countries.

In addition, two projects were funded on bluetongue disease: one targeted the development of new vaccines and a Coordination Action networking EU and third countries' laboratories involved in bluetongue and other similar emerging diseases. In both cases the workplan and the partnership were adapted to the unexpected situation following the ou