EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/527

(2004/C 88 E/0540)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0744/04

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Encouraging the participation of SMEs in innovative and R&D projects

Does the Commission hold any information concerning the number of, and the level of funding for, projects involving European SMEs in innovative and R&D policies which have been undertaken since the sixth R&D Framework Programme was launched?

What percentage of the total is constituted by projects involving Spanish SMEs?

In the Commission's opinion, what would be the most suitable policy to be applied in Europe in order to encourage European SMEs to take part in innovative and research projects, thereby reducing the gap between them and companies in the USA?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

Under the 6th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration 2002-2006 (FP6) the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is strongly encouraged mainly in the following two ways: in addition to the horizontal activities for SMEs (a budget of EUR 430 million), at least 15 % of the budget relating to the seven thematic priorities (about EUR 1 700 million) is to be allocated to SMEs. Realizing that SMEs are vital for Europe to make breakthrough progress in science and technology, but also in transforming research results into successful products and services, the participation of SMEs, with universities and larger corporations, is very much encouraged throughout the Specific Programme ‘Integrating and Strengthening the ERA’, whether through Integrated Projects or the other research instruments.

Based on the first calls for proposals (deadlines before 24 June 2003) of the seven thematic priorities of the Specific Programme ‘Integrating and Strengthening the ERA’ of FP6, implemented through four main instruments (Integrated Projects, Specific Support Actions, Co-ordination Actions and Specific Targeted Research Projects), the following indicative information is available:

— 21,0 % of the participants in submitted proposals were SMEs (12 503 SMEs) and these SMEs have requested 17,4 % (EUR 3 122 million) of the overall requested funding.

— 19,0 % of the participants in the main-listed proposals (proposals selected for funding) were SMEs (2 158 SMEs) and these SMEs have requested 14,4 % (EUR 449 million) of the overall requested funding. For clarity, this figure becomes 13 % when the other instrument Networks of Excellence are taken into account.

— 7,4 % of the participants in submitted proposals are from Spain (3 754 Spanish participants) of which 24,5 % are SMEs. These 919 Spanish SMEs participants have requested 19,5 % (EUR 232,8 million) of the total contribution requested by Spanish participants.

— 6,2 % of the participants in main-listed proposals are from Spain (577 Spanish participants) of which 18,2 % are SMEs. These 105 Spanish SMEs participants have requested 13,4 % (EUR 26,3 million) of the total contribution requested by Spanish participants.

Please note that these figures are only provisional based on submission of proposals. More definitive data will become available after the conclusion of the negotiation of the contracts of the successful proposals.

The Economic and Technological Intelligence scheme is used to promote innovation by SMEs and to facilitate their participation in FP6. Under certain thematic priorities Integrated Projects specifically devoted to SMEs have been organised. Finally, encouraging the participation of SMEs with limited research capacity is actively done through the horizontal programmes including Cooperative and Collective Research.