WRITTEN QUESTION E-1145/96 by Bernd Lange (PSE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)

Subject: Implementation of the programme to support international cooperation in science and technology (INCO)

A large number of complaints concerning this support programme have been received from frustrated applicants who criticize the poor information provided by the Commission and the Commission's information sheets before applications are submitted, the unusually low approval quota resulting from the extremely large number of applications and the excessive demands placed on the programme's management in trying to cope with them.

1. What measures has the Commission taken to prevent or lessen the frustration felt by applicants due to the programme's management in future? What further measures is the Commission planning to introduce?

2. How will the Commission ensure that applicants receive better and fuller information in future?

3. What steps is the Commission taking to make the decision-making process more transparent, particularly as regards the fixing of topics and criteria for approval?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (11 June 1996)

Information on the programme on cooperation in the field of research and technological development (RTD) with third countries and international organizations can be found in the fourth framework programme of the European Community activities in the field of research and technological development and demonstration (1994 to 1998) ((OJ L 126, 18.5.1994. )), in the Decision adopting the programme and in the calls for proposals. To date, one call for proposals concerning cooperation with the Central European countries and the newly independent States of the former Soviet Union, two calls concerning the developing countries and one concerning a programme of grants for Japan and Korea have been published in the Official Journal.

To implement the programme, the Commission has prepared information packs on each field covered. These contain full details of the programme and have been sent to thousands of applicants at their request. They also contain the addresses to contact in the countries participating and in the non-Community countries mentioned.

All the Central European countries and several States of the former Soviet Union have designated contacts with whom the Commission holds regular meetings. There are also plans to set up innovation relay centres in the associated countries in Central Europe.

The calls for proposals were publicized by a series of conferences, some in the capital cities of the countries concerned. Numerous publications (RTD INFO, RTD Magazine, etc.) have also been issued covering all the RTD programmes, including the programme for cooperation with third countries. All the relevant documents are accessible via Internet (Cordis). Thousands of potential applicants have used this facility in recent months. The project selection criteria were published in Annex II to Decision No 1110/94/EC ((OJ L 306, 30.11.1994. )), Article 4(3) of Decision No 94/763/EC (2) and Annex I to Decision No 94/807/EC ((OJ L 334, 22.12.1994. )) and are set out in the information packs.

Part of the explanation for the low acceptance rate and consequent frustration of some applicants lies in the fact that the resources available under the fourth framework programme for RTD cooperation with third countries are far more limited than during the previous period. For this reason, the Commission intends to focus its calls for proposals on even more closely defined subjects.

To this end, fuller use will be made of the contacts as a filter to raise the quality of the proposals and, hence, the acceptance rate and to improve feedback to applicants. Codes of conduct will be established to make the evaluations more transparent and increase the success rate.

Optimization of management of the RTD programme is one of the Commission's constant objectives. This will be discussed at a seminar specially on the subject in June 1996, to which representatives of industry, research establishments and universities have been invited.