Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers (1994 to 1998) (94/C 262/11) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(94) 243 final - 94/0094(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 A (2) of the EC Treaty on 6 June 1994)

The proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of the training and mobility of researchers (1994 to 1998) (COM(94) 68 final - 94/0094(CNS)) is amended as follows:

Recital 4

Whereas in accordance with Article 130i (3), an estimate shall be made of the financial amount necessary to carry out this specific programme; whereas the definitive amount shall be decided by the Budgetary Authority in accordance with the resources available under the financial perspective and with the share fixed by the framework programme;

Recital 5a

(new)

Whereas any increase in the overall maximum amount of the framework programme will depend in particular on the evaluation of the progress made in implementing the programme; whereas the progress made in this programme will be deemed satisfactory only if the first commitments of appropriations are effected within a reasonable period following the adoption of the programme; whereas that period may not exceed 12 months;

Recital 5b

(new)

Whereas Community activities in the field of the training and mobility of researchers should contribute to increasing Community prosperity, on the basis of industrial competitiveness, the quality of life and sustainable development and to supporting growth and high levels of employment;

Recital 7

Whereas intensification of Community collaboration by the networking of laboratories and research teams in different countries is an important means of strengthening the European research base, whereas it is also important to facilitate the access of Community researchers to large-scale facilities essential to high quality research;

Recital 9a

(new)

Whereas the participation in networks of laboratories and research teams from less-favoured regions, together with measures seeking to encourage leading scientists to work for extended periods in these regions, will help to strengthen and harmonize the scientific and technical capacities and potential in the Community as a whole;

Recital 13a

(new)

Whereas it is appropriate to establish a scheme for Community research grant-holders that will ensure, while taking account of local conditions, equality of treatment between Community research grant-holders of the same category, independent of the Member State where their host institution is situated;

Recital 13b

(new)

Whereas the Community grants are to be wholely used for their intended purpose, and are therefore to be exempt from national income tax;

Recital 14a

(new)

Whereas the Commission's efforts to simplify and speed up the application and selection procedures and make them more transparent must be continued in order to support the implementation of the programme and to facilitate the action which firms, and particularly SMEs, research centres and universities have to undertake in order to participate in a Community RTD activity;

Article 2 (1)

1. The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme amount to ECU 744 million including a maximum of 7,6 % for staff and administrative expenditure.

The first appropriations shall be committed no later than 12 months following the adoption of the programme, unless good reason is given for exceeding this deadline.

Article 2 (4)

4. The budgetary authority shall define the appropriations available for each financial year in accordance with the availability of resources under the financial perspective and the scientific and technological priorities fixed by the fourth framework programme.

ANNEX I

Point 1.1, sixth paragraph

In order to stimulate fully the mobility of researchers and to ensure equal treatment for all researchers receiving Community training grants, it is appropriate to establish a single grants scheme.

Point 2.1.1, first paragraph

Networks will allow researchers from as many countries as possible to join their efforts in 'European Laboratories Without Walls` and to constitute, in this manner, groups capable of performing research of higher quality. Small associations of Laboratories and research teams from different countries will also be eligible for support when they are considered to form the core of a future larger network.

Point 2.2.2, second paragraph, second indent

- support for improvement to large-scale facilities where such support is necessary in order to provide wider access to Community researchers, thus encouraging more efficient use of these facilities.

Point 2.2.3, first indent

- Implementation of an activity of training through research and stimulation of researcher mobility in all the fields covered by the programme. Training periods may have a duration of between three months and three years and will allow European researchers to undergo training or specialization outside their country of origin. With regard to cohesion, measures will be taken to encourage the return to their region of origin of researchers from the less-favoured regions.

Other measures shall be taken, in particular as regards grant levels, to enable leading scientists from the industrialized regions to work for extended periods in research centres in the less favoured regions. The main aim of their visits shall be to enable these centres to benefit from their knowledge and the results of the research they are undertaking. These scientists shall not come under the status of research fellow.

Point 2.2.3, third indent

- Terms and conditions for Community research grant-holders. The work programme, foreseen in Article 5, will detail the arrangements that will apply to research grant-holders. It will establish a single scheme for the training grants awarded in the frame of this and the other specific RTD programmes, covering all Member States while taking account of local conditions. Grants paid directly by the Commission to the research grant-holders will be exempt from national income tax.

Point 2.2.4, second paragraph, fourth indent

(new)

- the study of the participation in the Programme of women researchers and of measures that could be implemented with a view to its improvement.

ANNEX III

Point 1, second paragraph

As a general rule, a network shall consist of at least five research teams from at least three countries. The lifetime of a network shall be at least three years. However, networks of less than five teams in different countries may be supported when they are considered to form the core of a future larger network. Such networks will be supported, in a starting phase, for a maximum of only two years; the continuation of support will depend on the number of participants having increased to five or more from at least three countries.

Point 3, seventh paragraph

Return grants are reserved for researchers from less-favoured regions who have been in receipt of a grant for at least two years for training through research. Their purpose is to enable the researcher to return to his region of origin for an additional period of one year. An applicant for a return grant must provide proof of links (birth or extended period of residence during the last few years) with his region of origin.