WRITTEN QUESTION E-4091/00

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2001)

Subject: Promotion of research and technology in the EU

What many EU companies desire most is to progress in the fields of research and technology, although most of them would acknowledge that day-to-day business and the urgent need to satisfy immediate requirements cause them to delay projects in such areas.

Furthermore, ignorance regarding how to develop a project, what projects could be tackled with EU aid, where to obtain relevant information and what other logistical facilities are available discourages them from undertaking more extensive research within their own company and further technological development intended to improve their production.

What instruments has the Commission devised in order to provide Community businesses with the basic information which they need in order to tackle new research projects, and what guides could be of assistance, particularly in the application of new business technologies?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2001)

There are a number of information services developed by the Commission within its framework programme for research and technological development (RTD) and designed to provide help with tackling new research projects. Apart from the dedicated web site, Cordis (www.cordis.lu), and the monthly publication RTD Info, which together provide copious information on the Community's RTD programmes and on applying for funding, the Commission has set up, with the help of the Member States and associated States, a network of National Contact Points (NCPs) for each of the Community RTD programmes.

The NCPs are intended to be the first port of call for any researcher interested in the programmes. They provide detailed information and assistance on the RTD programmes and on applying for funding and, among other tasks, will help with finding other research partners.

The programme on promotion of innovation and encouragement of small and medium sized enterprises (SME) participation has also put in place a number of initiatives designed to assist companies (particularly small companies) and other researchers to benefit from Community research funding and to promote the uptake of technologies. Such measures include economic and technical intelligence for small companies, measures for technology transfer and exploiting research results, such as the Innovation Relay Centres and an intellectual property help-desk, and an information and assistance service to facilitate access to sources of private financing. The Innovation Help Desk of the Commission provides further information regarding the participation in the innovation programme and there are dedicated help desks for each individual specific programme.

Innovation Help Desk, e-mail: innovation@cec.eu.int.

Furthermore, when proposals for new projects are invited, open information days are organised in the main European cities in order to help potential proposers. Workshops and publications are foreseen to disseminate good practices (that have been identified in successful projects) that help to stimulate innovation and enterpreneurship.