COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0MC89) 264 final - SYN 197 
Brussels/ 24 May 1989 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the 
European Economic Community and the Republic of Austria on a 
programme plan to stimulate the international cooperation 
and interchange needed by European research scientists 
(SCIENCE) 
- 2 -
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
Subject: Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of a 
Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and 
the Republic of Austria on a programme plan to stimulate the 
international cooperation and interchange needed by the European 
research scientists (SCIENCE). 
1. By its Decision of 29 June 1988, the Council adopted a programme plan to 
stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by 
European research scientists (SCIENCE, 1988 to 1992). Article 5 of this 
Decision authorises the Commission to negotiate agreements with third 
countries and in particular with those European countries having 
concluded framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation 
with the Community with a view to associate them wholly or partly with 
the programme plan. 
2. In the context of the implementation of the Framework Agreement for 
scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and 
the Republic of Austria, the conclusion of which on behalf of the EEC was 
approved by the Council Decision of 9 February 1987, Austria has 
expressed an interest in cooperating in the implementation of the 
above-mentioned programme plan. 
3. Considering that the association of Austria with the implementation of 
the Community programme plan can be of mutual advantage and help to 
improve the efficacy of Europe's scientific and technical potential, the 
Commission has negotiated a draft cooperation agreement with Austria. 
4. The draft agreement, which is annexed to the attached proposal for a 
Council decision, provides for: 
- the association of Austria with the implementation of the Community 
programme; 
- a financial contribution from Austria for the funding of the work to 
be carried out in the framework of research contracts and of the 
management and administrative operating expenditure for the Community 
programme plan; this financial contribution is proportional to 
Austria's gross domestic product; 
- the entitlement of Austrian persons and research bodies to submit 
research proposals and to conclude the related research contracts with 
the Commission; 
- the enlargement of the Committee for the European development of 
science and technology (CODEST) to include an Austrian representative. 
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In view of the nature of the cooperation, any additional expenditure paid 
from the Community budget (relevant budget heading 7381) resulting from 
the implementation of this draft agreement will be covered by Austria's 
financial contribution. 
The funds paid by Austria will 
(relevant budget article 602). be credited to the Community budget 
The Commision proposes that the Council adopt the attached proposal for a 
decision. 
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Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the European 
Economic Community and the Republic of Austria on a programme plan to 
stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by European 
research scientists (SCIENCE). 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and 
in particular Article 130 Q (2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), 
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2), 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), 
WHEREAS by Decision 88/419/EEC (4), the Council adopted a programme plan to 
stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by European 
research scientists (SCIENCE, 1988 to 1992); whereas Article 5 of this 
Decision authorises the Commission to negotiate agreements with third 
countries and in particular with those European countries having concluded 
framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation with the 
Community with a view to associate them wholly or partly with the programme 
plan, 
(1) O.J. N° C 
(2) O.J. N° C 
(3) O.J. N° C 
(4) O.J. N° L 206, 30.07.1988, p. 34 
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WHEREAS by Decision 87/177/EEC (1), the Council approved the conclusion on 
behalf of the European Economic Community of the the Framework Agreement for 
scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and, 
among others, the Republic of Austria, 
WHEREAS the cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and 
,-^the. Republic of Austria on a programme plan to stimulate the international 
cooperation and interchange needed by European research scientists (SCIENCE) 
should be approved, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the 
Republic of Austria on a programme plan to stimulate the international 
cooperation and interchange needed by European research scientists (SCIENCE), 
is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. 
The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. 
Article 2 
The President of the Council shall carry out the notification as provided for 
in Article 11 of the Agreement. 
Article 3 
The present Decision shall enter into force on the day following its 
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 
Done at .... 
For the Council 
The President 
(1) O.J. N° L 71, 14.03.1987, p. 29 
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\ 
COOPERATION A6REENENT 
BETWEEN 
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 
AND 
THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA 
ON 
A PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE 
THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY 
EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (SCIENCE) 
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COOPERATION AGREEMENT 
BETWEEN 
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 
AND 
THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA 
ON 
A PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE 
THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY 
EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (SCIENCE) 
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, hereinafter called "the Community", 
and 
THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, hereinafter called "Austria", 
both hereinafter called the "Contracting Parties", 
WHEREAS, by its Decision of 29 June 1988, the Council of the European 
Communities, hereinafter called "the Council", adopted a programme plan to 
stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by European 
research scientists, - 1988 to 1992 - (SCIENCE), hereinafter called "the 
Stimulation Plan"; 
WHEREAS the Contracting Parties concluded a framework agreement for 
scientific and technical cooperation which entered into force on 30 July 
1987; 
WHEREAS the association of Austria with the Stimulation Plan can help to 
improve the efficacy of Europe's scientific and technical potential; 
WHEREAS the Contracting Parties expect to obtain mutual benefit from 
Austria's association with the Stimulation Plan; 
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS : 
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Article 1 
Austria is hereby associated, as and from 1st July 1989, with the 
implementation of the Stimulation Plan. The summary of the Stimulation Plan 
and its objectives are set out in Annex A. 
Austria shall take part in a range of measures to promote training and improve 
the mobility of research scientists of the Contracting Parties, to develop, 
support and promote intra-European scientific and technical cooperation and 
interchange networks in all fields relevant to exact and natural sciences. 
Article 2 
The financial contribution of Austria, deriving from its association with the 
implementation of the Stimulation Plan shall be established in proportion to 
the amount available each year in the general budget of the European 
Communities for appropriations covering commitments to meet financial 
obligations of the Commission of the European Communities, hereinafter 
referred to as "the Commission", resulting from work to be carried out in the 
framework of research contracts necessary to the implementation of the 
Stimulation Plan and from management and administrative operating expenditure 
for the Stimulation Plan. 
The proportionality factor governing Austria's contribution shall be given by 
the ratio between Austria's gross domestic product (GDP), at market prices, 
and the sum of gross domestic products, at market prices, of the Member States 
of the Community and of Austria. This ratio shall be calculated on the basis 
of the latest available OECD statistical data. 
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the Stimulation Plan, 
the amount of Austria's contribution and the timetable of the commitment 
estimates are set out in Annex B. 
The rules governing Austria's financial contribution to the execution of the 
Stimulation Plan are set out in Annex C. 
Article 3 
For Austrian research and development bodies and persons, the terms and 
conditions for the submission and evaluation of proposals and the terms and 
conditions for the granting and conclusion of contracts under the Stimulation 
Plan shall be the same as those applicable to research and development bodies 
and persons in the Community. 
The contracts, drawn up by the Commission, shall show the rights and 
obligations of Austrian research and development bodies and persons, and in 
particular the methods of disseminating, protecting and exploiting the 
research results. 
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Article 4 
In the implementation of the Stimulation Plan, the Commission shall be 
assisted by the Committee for the European Development of Science and 
Technology (CODEST), set up by Commission Decision 82/835 (1), and by 
consultants. 
From a list submitted to it by the Austrian authorities, the Commission shall 
appoint an Austrian delegate to CODEST. He shall participate in the 
definition of outline plans for the stimulation of the international 
cooperation and interchange needed by European research scientists and in the 
examination of applications submitted under the Stimulation Plan. 
Article 5 
After 30 months from the beginning of the implementation of the Stimulation 
Plan, the Commission shall address a report to the Council and to the 
European Parliament on the basis of an evaluation of the results so far 
achieved. This report shall be accompanied by suggestions for changes which 
may be necessary in the light of these results. A copy of the report shall 
be transmitted to Austria which, in addition, shall be informed of any 
possible suggestions for changes. 
Article 6 
Each Contracting Party undertakes, in accordance with its respective rules 
and regulations, to facilitate the movement and residence of research workers 
participating in Austria and in the Community in the activities covered by 
this agreement. 
Article 7 
The Commission and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research 
shall ensure the implementation of this Agreement. 
Article 8 
This agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the 
Treaty establishing the European Economic Community is applied and under the 
conditions laid down in that Treaty and, on the other hand, to the territory 
of the Republic of Austria. 
Article 9 
1. This agreement is concluded for the duration of the Stimulation Plan. 
Should the Community revise the Stimulation Plan, the agreement may be 
renegotiated or terminated under mutually agreed conditions. Austria 
(1) OJ NU L 350 of 10.12.19S2, p. 45 
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shall be notified of the exact content of the revised plan within one 
week after its adoption by the Community. The Contracting Parties shall 
notify each other within three months after the Community decision has 
been adopted if a termination of the agreement is envisaged. 
2. This agreement shall be renewed by tacit agreement when the Community 
adopts a new Stimulation Plan, for the duration of the new plan, unless 
it is terminated by one Contracting Party by written notification to the 
other Contracting Party within three months following the adoption of the 
new plan. The provisions of the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 above 
remain applicable. 
3. Whenever a decision on a Stimulation Plan is taken by the Community, 
Annexes A and B shall be amended in accordance with the Community's 
decision, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Contracting Parties. 
4. This agreement shall not be regarded as having expired merely because 
there is a delay in the adoption of a future Stimulation Plan. 
5. Excepted as provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, either 
Contracting Party may at any time terminate the agreement with 6 months' 
notice. The projects and work in progress at the time of termination 
and/or expiry of this agreement shall be continued until they are 
completed under the conditions laid down in the contracts referred to in 
Article 3 of this agreement. 
Article 10 
The Annexes A, B and C to this Agreement shall be an integral part thereof. 
Article 11 
This agreement shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance 
with their existing procedures. It shall enter into force on the date on 
which the Contracting Parties have notified each other of the completion of 
the procedures necessary for this purpose. 
Article 12 
This agreement shall be drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, 
French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish languages, each of 
these texts being equally authentic. 
Done at 
For the Council of the 
European Communities 
For the Republic of Austria 
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ANNEX A 
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE STIMULATION PLAN (1988 to 1992) 
The Stimulation Plan consists of a range of activities selected on the 
basis of their scientific and technical quality, which have as their aim 
the establishment of a network of scientific and technical cooperation 
and interchange at European level which will gradually be extended. The 
overall objective is to improve the efficacy of scientific and 
technological research in all the Member States and to contribute thereby 
to the reduction of scientific and technical disparities between the 
different Member States of the European Community. It covers all fields 
of science and technology (the exact and natural sciences). 
Whilst the Stimulation Plan therefore aims to improve the overall 
scientific and technical quality of research and development in all 
Member States of the Community, its specific objectives are to: 
- promote training through research and, by means of cooperation, the 
better use of high level researchers in the Community, 
- improve the mobility of research scientists of the Member States of 
the Community, 
- develop and support intra-European scientific and technical 
cooperation on high quality projects, 
- promote the setting-up of intra-European cooperation and interchange 
networks with a view to reinforcing the overall scientific and 
technical competitivity of the Community and thereby strengthening its 
economic and social cohesion. 
2. The objectives set out above will be achieved by means of support 
measures for research scientists, teams of research and development 
organisations to ensure the harmonious scientific and technical 
development of the Community. These will take the following forms: 
- Research bursaries 
Financial support granted to scientists to enable them to acquire 
additional training by participating in a research project in a 
laboratory in a Community country other than their own for a period of 
at least one year and at most two years. 
- Research grants 
These cover the cost to the laboratories concerned of the transfer or 
secondment of a research scientist from one Community country to 
another, either to allow a scientist to be taken on in a team in a 
country other than his own or to enable a science graduate to 
specialise before joining a university or industrial research 
laboratory. 
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Depending on the type of scientist and the purpose of the research 
allocation, it may take different forms: 
" funding to enable a research scientist to make short stays (from 15 
days to 2 months) in a foreign country within the Community to 
carry out specific experiments in a particular scientific or 
technical facility not available in his own country; 
funding to cover the costs associated with mobility (travel, 
subsistence, insurance, removal, etc.), the research work and 
possibly the salary of a scientist seconded to or incorporated in a 
research team in a country (in the Community) other than his own, 
for a period of at least six months and at most three years; 
funding to cover the costs associated with the mobility and 
research work of a scientist taken on in industry, who goes to 
follow a lengthy training course (from one to three years) in a 
public sector laboratory in a foreign country (within the 
Community); 
subsidies for high-level training courses: financial support 
granted to a body offering a specialised high-level course held 
within a Member State so that it can accept scientists from 
different Community Member States to give them additional training 
or enable them to retrain for other functions. 
- Twinning of laboratories in different countries 
This enables researchers who are working in isolation in an advanced 
field in several Community countries to bring their efforts together, 
without coming into one laboratory, and thus encouraging the formation 
of a research team exceeding the necessary "critical size". Funding 
is granted to allow the researchers to meet, to carry out joint 
experiments, to exchange results, to add to their equipment or to 
strengthen their teams by temporarily taking on other scientists, 
preferably from a different country. 
- Development of multidisciplinary, multinational operations 
This would, by virtue of the financial resources made available, 
enable the associated research teams to have enough resources 
(including equipment) and be able to bring together the best expertise 
available in different countries and disciplines, in order to achieve 
a pre-determined objective or to undertake jointly a pre-determined 
scientific task in the framework of a S/T cooperation "network". 
In addition, the Plan will be complemented by sectoral incentive 
measures: research bursaries, research grants and subsidies financed 
in the framework of each of the Community research and development 
programmes following the agreement of the appropriate Management and 
Coordination Committee (CGC). 
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3. Measures to stimulate interchange and cooperation apply to all fields 
relevant to the exact and natural sciences, such as: 
- mathematics 
- physics 
- chemistry 
- life sciences 
- earth sciences and ocean sciences 
- scientific instrumentation 
- engineering sciences. 
4. In the fields in which support will be granted, multinational projects to 
benefit from the Community support measures will be chosen essentially on 
the basis of their quality, the extent to which they are 
multidisciplinary in content, their innovative aspects and their value in 
terms of breaking down barriers between different forms of research and 
development in all parts of the Community. Where scientific and 
technical quality is comparable, particular attention will be given to 
projects likely to reduce scientific and technical development 
disparities between Member States and thereby to contribute to economic 
and social cohesion within the European Community. 
5. The choice of stimulation incentive measures and the teams concerned will 
be made by the Commission which, with the help of the Committee for the 
European Development of Science and Technology (CODEST), will make use of 
a peer review system. The Commission will see to it that there is 
consistency between the stimulation activity and programmed Community 
R&D activities. 
6. The Commission will at the same time undertake a series of consultations, 
surveys and seminars with the cooperation of Community scientific and 
technical circles in order to analyse and evaluate scientific and 
technical needs and opportunities, with the aim of providing more detail 
to the content of the Stimulation Plan. 
The Commission will cooperate closely with the national authorities to 
ensure consistency between these activities and national policies on 
research stimulation. 
7. In order to evaluate the scientific and/or technical quality of requests 
for support, as well as to analyse scientific and technical opportunities 
and needs or to assess projects which have been financed or the actiity 
itself, the Commission may call upon expertise from outside its own 
staff. 
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ANNEX B 
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 
Article 1 
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the Stimulation Plan 
amount to 167,000,000 Ecu. 
Article 2 
Austria's financial contribution to the execution of the Stimulation Plan is 
estimated to be 3,271,800 Ecu. 
Article 3 
The timetable of the commitment estimates and of Austria's financial 
contribution is given in the following page. 
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TIMETABLE OF THE COMMITMENTS ESTIMATED AS 
NECESSARY FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE STIMULATION 
PLAN (COMMITMENT APPROPRIATIONS) 
AND OF AUSTRIA'S CONTRIBUTION (ECU) 
j j COMMITMENTS FOR j AUSTRIA'S CONTRIBUTION | 
| YEAR | MANAGEMENT AND | | | MANAGEMENT AND | | | 
| | ADMINISTRATIVE | CONTRACTS | TOTAL | ADMINISTRATIVE j CONTRACTS j TOTAL | 
| j OPERATION | | j OPERATION j j j 
| 1988 | 220,000 | 28,780,000 | 29,000,000 | - I - I - I 
| 1989 | 1,930,000 | 28,070,000 | 30,000,000 | 25,669* | 373,331* | 399,000* | 
| 1990 | 2,120,000 | 32,880,000 | 35,000,000 | 56,392 | 874,608 | 931,000 | 
| 1991 | 2,250,000 | 32,750,000 | 35,000,000 | 59,850 | 871,150 | 931,000 | 
| 1992 | 2,380,000 | 35,620,000 | 38,000,000 | 63,308 | 947,492 | 1,010,800 | 
| ®J^JJ | 8,900,000 | 158,100,000 | 167,000,000 | 205,219 | 3,066,581 | 3,271,800 | 
* contribution for the period 1st July to 31st December 1989 
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ANNEX C 
FINANCING RULES 
Article 1 
These provisions lay down the financing rules for Austria referred to in 
Article 2 of the agreement. 
Article 2 
At the beginning of each year, or whenever the Stimulation Plan is revised so 
as to involve an increase in the amount estimated as necessary for its 
implementation, the Commission shall send to Austria a call for funds 
corresponding to its contribution to the costs under the agreement. 
This contribution shall be expressed both in Ecu and in the Austrian 
currency, the composition of the Ecu being defined in the Council Regulation 
3180/78 (1). The value in Austrian currency of the contribution in Ecu shall 
be determined on the date of the call for funds. 
Austria shall pay its contribution to the annual costs under the agreement at 
the beginning of each year and at the latest three months after the call for 
funds is sent. Any delay in the payment of the contribution shall give rise 
to the payment of interest by Austria at a rate equal to the highest discount 
rate in force in the Member States of the Community on the due date. The rate 
shall be increased by 0.25 of a percentage point for each month of delay. 
The increased rate shall be applied to the entire period of delay. However, 
this interest shall be payable only if the contribution is paid more than 
three months after a call for funds has been made by the Commission. 
Article 3 
The funds paid by Austria shall be credited to the Stimulation Plan as budget 
receipts allocated to its appropriate heading in the statement of revenu* of 
the general budget of the European Communities. 
Article 4 
The Financial Regulation in force applicable to the general budget of the 
European Communities shall apply to the management of the appropriations. 
Article 5 
The travel and subsistence costs of the Austrian delegate to CODEST deriving 
from his participation in the meetings of this committee, shall be reimbursed 
by the Commission in accordance with the procedures currently in force for 
the delegates of the Member States of the Community. 
Article 6 
At the end of each year, a statement of appropriations for the Stimulation 
Plan shall be prepared and transmitted to Austria for information. 
<U OJ Nu L 379 oi 30.12.1978, p.1 
Jft 
FICHE D'IMPACT SUR LA COMPETITIVITE ET L'EMPLOI 
Ce projet a trait à une décision du Conseil concernant la conclusion d'un 
accord de coopération entre la CEE et l'Autriche relatif au plan de 
stimulation des coopérations internationales et des échanges nécessaires aux 
chercheurs européens (1988-1992) (SCIENCE). 
En tant que tel, ce projet peut avoir un impact positif sur les PME, dans la 
mesure où i l constitue un instrument facilitant l'accès à la connaissance et 
à l'échange d'expériences. 
Commission of the European Communities 
COM(89) 264 final 
Communication from the 
COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
and proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the 
European Economic Community and the Republic of Austria on a pro­
gramme plan to stimulate the international cooperation and interchange 
needed by European research scientists (Science) 
24.5.1989 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L - 2985 Luxembourg l 
Series: DOCUMENTS 
1989 — 17 pp. - Format: 21.0 x 29.7 cm % 
i 
EN 
ISSN 0254-1475 
ISBN 92-77-50013-1 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-204-EN-C 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(89) 264 final 
DOCUMENTS 
Communication from the 
COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
and proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation 
Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and the Republic of Austria on a 
programme plan to stimulate the international 
cooperation and interchange needed by 
European research scientists (Science) 
11 16 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-204-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-50013-1 24.5.1989 
€ 
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES