PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION CONCERNING A SPECIFIC PROGRAMME OF RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ( 1990-1994 )
Date: 1990-05-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: information processing, information technology, microelectronics, office automation, research and development, software

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

m 

COM(90)  153 f i n al  -  SYN  258 

Brussels, 23 May 1990 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning a specific programme of research and technological development 

in the field of Information Technology 

(1990-1994) 

(presented by the Commission) 

CONTENTS 

Proposal for a Council decision adopt i ng a 

specific  research  and development  programme  in the 

field of  information  technology  (1990-94) 

ANNEX I 
Scientific and Technical Objectives and Content 

ANNEX II 
Indicative Breakdown of Expenditures 

ANNEX III 
Rules for implementing the programme and activities 
for dissemination and exploitation of the results 

Page 

11 

19 

20 

Proposal for a 

C O U N C IL  D E C I S I ON 

adopting  a  specific  research  and  development  programme  in  the  field  of  information 
technology (1990-94) 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Economic  Community,  and  in 
particular Article 130q (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 its Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC4>, the Council adopted a third framework 
programme  for  Community  activities  in  the  field  of  research  and  technological 
development  (1990-94),  specifying  inter  alia  the  activities  to  be  pursued  in  the  field  of 

(1)  OJ No C 

(2)  OJ No C 

(3)  OJ No C 

(4)  OJ No L 117,8.5.1990, p.28. 

-4 

information  technology; whereas this Decision should be taken in the light of the grounds 
set out in the preamble to that Decision; 

Whereas Article  130k  of  the  Treaty  stipulates  that  the  framework  programme  is  to be 
implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity; 

Whereas  an  estimate  should  be  made  of  the  amount  of  Community  financial  resources 
needed to carry out this specific programme; whereas the definitive  amounts will be fixed 
by the budgetary authority in line with the financial perspectives covering the period 1988 -
1992 included  in the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  of  29 June  1988<5> and with  any future 
financial perspectives covering the period 1993 -1994; 

Whereas,  pursuant  to  Article  4  and  Annex  I  of  Decision  90/221/Euratom, EEC,  the 
amount deemed necessary for the whole framework  programme includes an amount of 57 
million ecus for the centralized dissemination  and exploitation  of results, to be divided up 
in proportion to the amount envisaged for each activity; whereas in view of the importance 
of  this  specific  programme  within  the  information  technology  and  communications 
activities the estimate of the financial resources needed by this programme is to be reduced 
by 13.52 million ecus, which amount is to be allocated to the centralized activities, in order 
to comply with the second sentence of Article 130p (2) of the Treaty; 

Whereas  this  programme  must  be  implemented  by  the  Commission;  whereas  to  help 
accomplish  this,  the  Member  States  are  bound,  pursuant  to  Article  5  of  the  Treaty,  to 
facilitate the achievement of its tasks where necessary, notably within a committee; 

Whereas this programme must be implemented essentially by the selection of research and 
development  projects  to  enable  them  to benefit  from  Community  participation; whereas 
the Commission  should  encourage the submission  of such projects by the usual means of 
publishing calls for proposals  in the  Official  Journal; whereas a special procedure should 

(5)  OJ No L 185,15.7.1988, p.33. 

also be  devised  so  as to  maintain a degree  of  flexibility  enabling the  Commission,  in the 
face of the continuous evolution and gradual acceleration of technological progress, also to 
take  into  consideration  spontaneous  proposals  consistent  with  the  objectives  of  the 
programme; 

Whereas the projects to be carried out under the programme must be selected with special 
attention  to  the  principle  of  economic  and  social  cohesion  in  the  Community,  the 
transnational nature of the projects and the support to be given to small and medium-sized 
enterprises; 

Whereas it is only in the light of experience gathered in the course of this programme that 
the  Commission  will  be  able  to  propose  and  the  Council  to  adopt  supplementary 
programmes by having recourse to the means provided for in Articles 1301, 130m or 130o of 
the  Treaty,  if  they  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  the  programme's  objectives,  in 
accordance  with 
the  option  made  available  by  Article  2(2)  of  Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC; 

Whereas, in accordance with Article  130g of the Treaty, the Community's activities aimed 
at  strengthening  the  scientific  and  technological  basis  of  European  industry  and 
encouraging  it  to  become  more  competitive  include  promoting  cooperation  on  research 
and  technological  development  with  third  countries  and  international  organizations; 
whereas  such  cooperation  may  prove  particularly  beneficial  for  the  development  of  this 
programme; 

Whereas Information Technology pervades throughout the economy and society, improves 
decisively the competitiveness of industry and services, as well as easing working conditions 
and  many  aspects  of  private  life;  whereas  Information  Technology  requires  important 
efforts  in  research  and  development  calling  for  transnational  cooperation;  whereas 
Microelectronics,  Information  Processing  Systems  and  Software,  Office  and  Home 
Systems,  Computer  Integrated  Manufacturing  and  related  Basic  Research  have  been 
identified as priorities in Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 

-6 

Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) has been consulted, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

- 7-

Article 1 

A specific research and technological development programme for the European Economic 
Community in the field of information technology, as defined in Annex I, is hereby adopted 
for a period of five years as from 1 January 1990. 

Article 2 

1.  The  Community  funds  estimated  as  necessary  for  the  execution  of  the programme 
under this Decision amount to 1352 million ecus.  Of this amount 13.52 million ecus is 
drawn for the centralized dissemination and exploitation of results.  The amount thus 
reduced  to  1338.48  million  ecus  includes  staff  costs which  may  not  exceed  4%.  An 
indicative breakdown of expenditure is set out in Annex II. 

2.  Should  the  Council  take  a  decision  in  implementation  of  Article  1(4)  of  Decision 
90/221/Euratorn, EEC, this Decision shall be adapted  to take account  of the above-
mentioned decision. 

3.  The budgetary authority shall decide on the appropriations available for each financial 

year. 

Rules for the implementation of the programme are set out in Annex III. 

Article 3 

Article 4 
The rate  of  the Community  financial  contribution  shall  be laid  down in  accordance with 
Annex IV to Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC. 

Article 5 
1.  During 1992 the Commission shall review the programme and address a report on the 
results  of  the  review  to  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament,  together  with 
proposals for any necessary changes. 

8-

2.  At  the  end  of  the  programme  the  Commission  shall  assess  the  results  obtained. 

It 

shall address a report  thereon  to the Council and  the  European  Parliament. 

3.  The reports  shall be drawn  up having regard  to the objectives  set out  in Annex I to  this 

Decision  and  in accordance with Article 2(4) of Decision  90/221/Euratom,  EEC. 

Article 6 

1.  The  Commission  shall be  responsible  for  the  execution  of  the  programme.  It  shall  be 

assisted  by  a  committee,  hereinafter  referred  to  as  "the  Committee",  composed  of 

representatives  of  the  Member  States  and  chaired  by  a  representative  of  the 

Commission. 

2.  The  contracts concluded  by the  Commission  shall govern  the  rights  and  obligations of 

each  party,  including  the  procedures  for  disseminating,  protecting  and  exploiting  the 

research  results, in  accordance with  the  arrangements  adopted  pursuant  to  the  second 

paragraph  of Article  130k of the  Treaty. 

3.  A  work  programme  for  each year  shall  be drawn  up and  updated  where  necessary.  It 

shall  set  out  the  detailed  objectives  and  types  of  projects  to  be  undertaken,  and  the 

financial  arrangements  to  be  made  for  them.  The  Commission  shall  make  calls  for 

proposals for  projects  on the basis of the annual work  programmes. 

Article 7 

1. 

In  the  cases  envisaged  in Article  8(1),  the  Commission  representative  shall  submit  to 

the  Committee  a  draft  of  the  measures  to  be  taken.  The  Committee  shall  deliver  its 

opinion  on  the  draft  within  a  time  limit  which  the  chairman  may  set  according  to  the 

urgency  of  the  matter.  The  opinion  shall  be  delivered  by  qualified  majority  as 

provided  for  in Article  148(2) of  the Treaty  in the  case of  decisions which  the  Council 

is required  to  adopt  on  a  proposal  from  the  Commission.  The  votes  of  the  Member 

States' representatives  within  the  Committee  shall  be weighted  in  the  manner  set  out 

in that Article.  The chairman  shall not vote. 

2.  The  Commission  shall  adopt  the  measures  envisaged  where  they  are  in  accordance 

with the Committee's  opinion. 

3. 

If  the  measures  envisaged  are  not  in  accordance  with  the  Committee's  opinion,  or  if 

no  opinion  is  delivered,  the  Commission  shall  forthwith  submit  to  the  Council  a 

- 9-

proposal relating  to the  measures to be taken.  The  Council  shall  act by a  qualified 
majority. 

4. 

If  the  Council  has  not  acted  within  one  month  of  submission  of  the  proposal,  the 

proposed measures shall be adopted by the Commission. 

1.  The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply to: 

Article 8 

-  the preparation and updating of the work programmes referred to in Article 6(3); 

-  evaluation  of  the  projects  referred  to  in  point 2  of  Annex III,  as  well  as  the 
estimated  amount  of  the  Community's financial  contribution  when  these  projects 
are submitted through the ordinary procedure referred  to in point  4 of Annex III 
and the abovementioned amount is more than 5 million ecus; 

-  evaluation of all projects submitted through the exceptional procedure referred to 
in  point  4  of  Annex  III,  as  well  as  the  estimated  amount  of  the  Community's 
financial contribution; 

-  measures for evaluating  the programme. 

2.  The Commission may consult the Committee on any matter falling within the scope of 

the programme. 

3.  The Commission shall inform the Committee with regard to; 

-  the progress of the programme; 

-  planned calls for proposals, referred to in Article 6 (3); 

-  projects,  referred  to  in  point 2  of  Annex III,  submitted  through  the  ordinary 
procedure, for which the  Community contribution  is less  than 5 million ecus, and 
the results of their evaluation; 

-  accompanying measures, referred to in point 2 of Annex III;; 

-  concerted actions, referred to in point 2 of Annex III. 

10 

Article 9 
In  implementing  this  programme,  supplementary  programmes  within  the  meaning  of 
Article 1301, participation within the meaning of Article 130m and joint undertakings or any 
other structures within the meaning of Article 130o of the Treaty may also be decided on as 
the need arises. 

Article 10 
Where cooperation with third countries and international organisations aiming at achieving 
the objectives of this programme requires legal undertakings between the Community and 
the  third  parties  concerned,  the  Commission  shall  be  authorized  to  negotiate,  in 
accordance with Article  130n of the Treaty, international agreements laying down the terms 
of such cooperation. 

Decisions on  the conclusion  of such  agreements shall be adopted  in accordance with the 

procedure referred to in Article 130q (2) of the Treaty. 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Article 11 

Done  at  B r u s s e l s, 

For the Council, 
The President 

- 1 1-

ÀnnexI 

Scientific and Technical Objectives and Content 

The approach  embodied  in  the  third  Framework  Programme,  the  scientific  and  technical 
objectives and  the underlying aims which it pursues, form  an integral part  of  this  specific 
programme. 

Paragraph  I.1.A  of Annex II  of  the Framework  Programme  forms  an  integral part  of  this 
specific programme. 

The following presents an analytical description of the content of the programme based on 

and taking account of the above elements. 

The  programme  constitutes  a  new  phase  of  the  European  Strategic  Programme  for 
Research  and  Development  in  Information  Technology  (ESPRIT), oriented  towards  the 
new generations of technologies. 

The programme will be carried out in five areas: 

Area  1:  Microelectronics 

Area 2:  Information  Processing Systems and Software 

Area 3:  Advanced Business and Home Systems; Peripherals 

Area 4:  Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering 

Area 5:  Basic Research. 

Accompanying measures comprise technology transfer  and training activities carried  out in 
each of  the  areas.  They  include special actions, which  aim at  increasing the potential  for 
participation in Community R&D in Information Technology of organisations in peripheral 
regions and  likewise their  ability  to  make  use  of the  results.  They  include  acquisition of 
information  both  within  the  programme  and  from  the  IT community  at  large, as well  as 
measures  to  create  awareness of  opportunities and  availability  of  results, and  to  develop 
synergies between participants and with the FT community at large.  They also include the 
Information  Exchange Systems for  programme  participants (IES) and participation  in  the 
EUREKA  project  Cooperation  for  OSI  Networking  in  Europe  (COSINE).  Specific 
information  on  projects will be provided  in close cooperation with  the  Community  R&D 
Information  Service (CORDIS). 

12 

Area 1:  Microelectronics 

Emphasis  will  be  on  Application  Specific  Integrated  Circuits  (ASICs),  including  notably 
multi-function  circuits, high speed circuits, optoelectronic circuits, advanced  power circuits 
("smart  power"),  new  equipment,  manufacturing  technology  and  materials  for  integrated 
circuits  and,  in  conjunction  with  other  initiatives  in  the  Community  such  as  the  Joint 
European  Submicron  Silicon  project  (JESSI),  the  advanced  technologies  linked  to 
submicron silicon. 

Work will be addressed to the major components of the chain  of designing,  manufacturing, 
testing and applying advanced  semiconductor products.  The activities will be organised  so 
as to link users and producers, ensuring the participation  of a wide range of actors to the 
benefit  of all.  It will address the complete set  of technologies that are needed  to produce 
new generations  of  integrated  circuits  (ICs),  on  the  basis  of  the  work  carried  out  under 
ESPRIT  in  process  technologies,  Computer  Aided  Design  (CAD)  and  Computer  Aided 
Testing, and by taking up newly emerging topics. 

An essentially new topic is Manufacturing  Science and Technology.  Work in this area will 
aim to improve the manufacturing capability of European  IC industry by addressing all the 
aspects  that  are  necessary  to achieve  higher  quality  low cost  ICs.  This  includes  R&D in 
equipment engineering, automation, clean room technology and quality control. 

The  following  topics  will  be  regarded  as  priorities:  equipment  for  semiconductor 
processing, covering the most demanding technological steps (lithography, layer processing 
and metrology in particular); packaging and connectivity (comprising electrical and  optical 
solutions);  advanced  materials,  addressing  silicon-related 
films  and  compound 
semiconductor  (especially  III-V)  materials,  the  latter  being of  crucial  importance  for  the 
further  development in optoelectronics and high speed integrated circuits. 

With  respect  to  IC  technology,  both  higher  density  and  higher  speed  circuits  will  be 
pursued  as well as integrated  systems of increased  performance  and  reduced  size and cost 
leading to the "system on a chip". 

Work  in  high  density  ICs will centre  on  0.5-0.3  micron  silicon  (Si)  complementary  metal 
oxide semiconductor  (CMOS) technology.  In addition  to the actual lithography  and  other 
semiconductor  process  and  material  technologies,  CAD  tools  and  systems  capable  of 
designing  and  testing  at  higher  complexity  levels  (between  4  and  8 million  transistors  of 
mixed memory and logic) will be developed.  Work on high density ICs will be carried  out 
in conjunction with JESSI. 

13-

Work in high speed  ICs will address both silicon bipolar and III-V technologies for  digital 
and  analog  circuits.  The  work  includes  semiconductor  technology  and  materials  and 
specific  aspects  of  design  and  testing of  high  speed  ICs  (for  instance  for  high  frequency 
digital ICs). 

Work  will progress  towards  the  "system  on  a  chip" through  the  development  of flexible 
processes  that  allow  the  combination  of  various  features  such  as  digital  and  analog 
functions,  non-volatile  memory,  low voltage, power  switching  and  sensors  onto  one chip. 
Such  features  will be  integrated  into  a  standard  submicron  digital  CMOS  process.  The 
increased process complexity  requires  special measures to  achieve sufficiently  high yields. 
Special CAD tools which are, for example, capable of simulating the different  functions on 
the chips, are also required. 

Technology transfer,  training and other accompanying measures will be undertaken where 
there is a specific  need for  action; special emphasis will be put on prenormative work on a 
standard  CAD  framework  with  interfaces  allowing  for  an  effective  integration  of  CAD 
systems.  Measures  to  tackle  specific  skills  deficits  that  can  only  be  addressed  in 
cooperation with industry (for instance, those that require access to industrial facilities) will 
be undertaken.  Measures to promote  uptake  of ASIC technology  in innovative products, 
especially by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will also be undertaken. 

Area 2:  Information processing systems and software 

in 

the 
Concurrent  architectures  are  seen  as  the  key  to  future  breakthroughs 
cost/performance  ratio  of  computers.  Work  in  this  area  will  lead  to  a  minimal  set  of 
machine  architectures  needed  to  satisfy  selected  target  applications  with  around  10 
computing elements.  Concurrent systems will improve systems reliability and security.  The 
work will include advanced  experiments to validate  selected  parallel  architectures.  It will 
take the requirements of distributed computing and of real-time applications into account. 
It will, in particular,  concentrate on tightly coupled  and  homogeneous systems.  Operating 
systems allowing information  sharing between existing systems and newly emerging parallel 
operating systems will be  addressed.  Technical  and  scientific workstations with very high 
performance will be based on parallel architectures. 

Future generations of computers will not only need better  and more reliable  performance, 
they  will  also  need  better  interfaces,  especially  man-machine  interfaces.  Efforts  will be 
undertaken  aimed at  establishing provision of user  interface  management  tools, as well as 
multi-lingual  intelligent  objects  in  a  distributed  operating  environment,  Stress  will  be 
placed  on  systems  for  the  perception  and  synthesis  of  information  from  highly  complex 
signals.  These concern, in particular, human speech recognition and image understanding. 

-14 

In the majority  of IT systems the software  component  is now seen as the dominant  element 
of cost.  Constraints in European software production capabilities are now seen as the most 
critical problem for  the IT industry.  Tools and methods to support systems integration and 
to  increase  software  productivity  will  be  enhanced  where  significant  progress  can  be 
expected.  The work will build on existing or emerging standards.  Particular  attention will 
be  paid  to  portability  of  software,  re-usability  and  design  of  standardised  modules. 
Renewed  emphasis,  concentrating particularly  on  the  transfer  of  modern  design  methods 
into  common  use,  will  be  given  to  improving  productivity,  quality  and  security. 
Industrialisation  of software  engineering tools and environments will be encouraged by the 
demonstration  of  applications.  This  work  includes  the  industrialisation  of  knowledge 
engineering  techniques,  in  particular  as  complements  to  existing  conventional  systems 
engineering techniques. 

Measures  will  be  undertaken  to  promote  the  take  up  of  new  software  production 
technologies and to increase skill levels on a broad scale.  This will include training oriented 
to industrial  needs.  These  measures  will build  on  the  results  of  projects  under  ESPRIT, 
EUREKA  and  Member  States'  programmes  concerned  with  the  provision  of  industrial 
methods and tools. 

Area 3:  Advanced Business and Home Systems; peripherals 

Advanced Business and  Home  Systems will  aim  for  function  integration  in  the  business 
environment  as  well  as  in  the  home  environment.  It  will  also  aim  at  easing  the  use  of 
systems.  An  especially  high  priority  will  be  given  to  prenormative  work.  Distributed 
computing  including  data  base  management, 
the  corresponding  workstations  and 
microprocessor systems and technologies will be of major concern throughout the activities. 
The work  in  distributed  computing will, in particular,  concentrate  on  loosely  coupled  and 
heterogeneous systems.  Systems assurance experiments will be carried out, as appropriate. 
In  this  context,  the  integration  of  tools  and  facilities  in  specific  applications  of  real  user 
interest  will  be  demonstrated,  as well  as  the  integration  of  different  streams  of  activity 
leading to more efficient  data flow across organisations. 

Two complementary, but interrelated areas are addressed. 

R&D  work  on  integrated business  systems  addresses  the  information  flow  across 
departments  and  sites  within  an  enterprise  and  enables  the  close  integration  of  various 
activities  between  functional  units.  It  includes  the  integration  of  mobile  terminals  into 
business  information  systems. 
In  this  context,  systems  for  cooperative  work  play  an 
important  role.  They  allow  cooperation  through  the  provision  of,  e.g.,  the  following 

15 

facilities:  cooperative  writing,  file  processing,  project  management,  decision  making, 
informal  interaction,  problem  definition  and conferencing.  The  improvement  of  working 
conditions and job-level qualifications are of major concern. 

The  R&D  activities  concerning  intelligent  homes and  intelligent  buildings  are  partially 
similar  to  those  concerning  integrated  business,  but  obey  different  boundary  conditions 
concerning functionality  and cost.  They aim at integrating IT with other building  functions 
such as security, privacy, voice and document communication,  heating, lighting and energy 
management.  Requirements  analysis,  functional  specifications  and  prenormative  work 
include various  aspects  of  quality  of  life  such  as ergonomy  and  improvement  of  working 
conditions. 

In  the  context  of  business  and  home  systems,  peripherals are  taking  on  increasing 
importance.  The objective  of  R&D work in  peripherals is to reinforce  the scientific  and 
technological  bases  for  new  generations  of  peripherals,  which  are  reliable,  cheap  and 
capable of being produced  in large  quantities.  In order  to contribute  to  the  renewal of a 
European  industry  in the field  of components  and  sub-assemblies  for  peripherals  through 
R&D, synergies between producer and user industries need to be established, and a critical 
mass must be reached. 

The  peripherals  technology  activities  include  R&D  aspects  of  specific  peripheral 
technologies for  printers, displays, input and storage devices.  Special emphasis will be put 
on  flat  panel  display  technologies,  magneto-optical  storage  systems,  non-impact  printing 
technologies, and scanning technologies. 

Specialised  technology  transfer  and  training  measures  in  the  field  of  integrated  business 
systems  include  demonstrations  of  advanced  IT  solutions  suited,  in  particular,  for  small 
enterprises. 

Area 4:  Computer integrated manufacturing and engineering 

The activities aim at providing the technology base for  open systems, multivendor  systems 
and  distributed  operations  in  engineering  and  manufacturing  environments  as well  as  to 
contribute  to  better  integration  of  advanced  IT  systems  components  in  engineering 
industries.  The  work  will  focus  on  new  generations  of  basic  CIM  technologies  and  on 
demonstrating their applicability in selected manufacturing and other engineering domains. 
Synergy with  the specific  programme  on  industrial  and materials technologies foreseen  in 
Decision 90/.../Euratom, EEC will be assured. 

-16-

R&D  work  will  include  Technological  Infrastructure  and  Application  Experiments. 
Technological  Infrastructure  work  will  involve  the  development  of  the  advanced  CIM 
techniques,  methods  and  tools  to  facilitate  manufacturing  and  engineering  applications 
within  the  different  domains  where  IT  is  of  particular  strategic  importance.  Aimed  at 
improving cost-efficiency, flexibility and high quality, the approach will be based on open 
systems  concepts  supported  by  appropriate  prenormative  work,  and  will  recognise  the 
multi-site, multi-supplier  nature of  most engineering  enterprises.  Topics include logistics 
and  distribution,  communications  and  architectures  for  engineering  applications,  the 
management  of 
industrial  processes,  engineering  design,  robotics  and  equipment 
technologies  (control  and  instrumentation),  mechatronics  and  microsystems.  On-line 
quality assurance  technologies will  be developed  to ensure  safe and  reliable operation of 
products and processes throughout their total life cycle. 

Building  on  the  results  already  achieved  in  ESPRIT,  new  engineering  test-beds  will  be 
addressed.  Vendor  industries  involved  include  system  integration  and  software  houses, 
manufacturers  of  computers  and  communications  equipment,  machine  tools,  robots, 
autonomous  vehicles,  cranes,  electronics,  control  and  instrumentation,  sensors  and 
actuators.  Work will be geared  to serve the small and medium sized users, who form the 
majority of all engineering enterprises, as well as the large users who lead the field in the 
application of high technology.  Collaboration between users and vendors will continue to 
be strongly encouraged. 

Application  experiments  to validate advanced  IT solutions will  be carried  out  in discrete 
parts  manufacturing,  process  industry  applications,  mass  manufacturing,  and  other 
engineering applications. Attention will be paid to cleaner industrial operations. 

The existing profile of human resources in this domain does not yet match the demands of 
the advanced  manufacturing and engineering industries  and this will limit  progress if not 
swiftly addressed.  Technology transfer and training activities will be most effective  if there 
is  a  multi-disciplinary  approach,  if  users  are  strongly  involved,  and  if  they  are  closely 
coupled  with  the  R&D  activities,  in  some  cases  actually  as  part  of  major  projects. 
Specifically  tailored  education  and training  actions will  include  the  possibility  to  involve 
students and young graduates in demonstrator projects. 

Area 5:  Basic research 

Basic  research  actions  contribute  to  maintaining  and  expanding  the  knowledge  and 
expertise which underpin the scientific basis of European Information Technology.  Areas 
that such actions support are selected on the grounds of: 

-17-

-  Their potential to produce future breakthroughs or important advances even if they have 

no immediately visible application. 

-  Their ability  to benefit  from  the added value which cooperation  on a European  scale 

provides. 

-  Their positioning clearly upstream of R&D efforts, while contributing to the overall aims 

of the programme. 

-  The reinforcement of interdisciplinary links. 

Research is planned for the achievement of low noise and high speed elements through the 
use of low temperatures and by incorporation  of new high temperature  superconductivity 
materials.  The need  for ultra high complexity components, which will build the hardware 
base for future massively parallel systems, will lead to research in the nanometre scaling of 
electronic  circuits.  This  includes  investigations  of  physical  properties  of  organic  and of 
optical  materials with  high  potential  for  application  in IT devices  and systems.  Synergy 
with activities in material research carried out in the specific programme on industrial and 
materials technologies foreseen  in Decision 90/.../Euratom,  EEC will be established.  The 
research  of  future  hardware  possibilities  will  be  complemented  by activities  on  the new 
generation of hardware design methodologies. 

Breakthroughs  needed  for  the  effective  and  efficient  software  engineering  of  the  future, 
and to some extent of computing systems generally, will be predicated on the strengths of 
the  formal  description  of  systems.  Therefore  the  logical  and  algebraic  foundations  of 
computer  science  will  be  addressed  providing  the  necessary  framework  for  the 
development of concurrent systems, specification  and verification techniques, as well as the 
next generation  of  programming  languages  and  algorithms.  With  the  target  of  enabling 
reliable distributed  systems, basic research will be  encouraged  on  dependable  distributed 
systems and integrated data bases. 

Still  existing  constraints  in  the  foundations  of  artificial  intelligence  are  limiting  the 
necessary improvements in many application areas where a change from currently available 
dataprocessing and networking to more intelligent systems and procedures is required.  To 
to  massive  parallelism, 
help  overcome  this,  basic  research  will  be  addressed 
neurocomputing  and  other  critical  issues  in  this  field  which  include  the  handling  of 
uncertainty and knowledge representation, theories of automated manufacture and human-
computer interaction. 

These  measures  in  technology  transfer  and  training aim  at  establishing  and  maintaining 
close links with the industrially-oriented activities within the programme. 

18 

In the context of basic research, the growing problem of skill shortages will be addressed in 
universities  and  research  centres.  Both  technology  transfer  and  training  demand  the 
emergence of  European centres of  excellence  in different  areas of  IT.  Basic research is 
uniquely positioned to play an important role in meeting this demand by acting as a catalyst 
for the emergence of such centres of excellence. 

19 

Annex II 

Indicative Breakdown of Expenditures 

in %, for the period 1990-1994. 

Area  1.  Microelectronics 

Area 2. 

Information  processing systems and software 

Area 3.  Home and business systems; peripherals 

27-31 

23 - 27 

15 -19 

Area 4.  Computer integrated manufacturing and engineering 

17-21 

Area 5.  Basic research 

9-11 

The breakdown  between  different  areas does not exclude the possibility that projects could 
cover several areas. 

- 2 0-

Annex III 

Rules for Implementing the Programme 

and Activities for Dissemination and Exploitation of the Results 

1.  The  Commission  shall  implement  the  programme  on  the  basis  of  the  scientific  and 

technical content described in Annex I. 

2.  The  rules  for  implementing  the  programme,  referred  to  in  Article  3,  comprise 
research  and  technological  development  projects,  accompanying  measures  and 
concerted actions. 

The  projects  shall  be  the  subject  of  shared-cost  research  and  technological 

development contracts. 

The accompanying measures consist of applying the means to ensure proper  technical 
execution,  management  and  evaluation  of  the  programme,  as  well  as  adequate 
dissemination  and  accessibility  of  the  results,  and  coordination,  training  and 
consciousness-raising of the participants in the programme. 

The concerted actions are those defined  in the Financial Regulation. 

3.  The  participants  in  the  projects  must  be  natural  or  legal  persons  established  in  the 
Community^,  such  as  universities,  research  organizations  and  industrial  firms, 
including small  and  medium-sized  enterprises,  or  associations  thereof,  in  particular 
European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs). 

Natural  or  legal  persons  established  in  countries  which  have  concluded  agreements 
with  the  Community  foreseeing  scientific  and  technical  research,  may, based  on  the 
criterion  of  mutual  advantage,  take part  in  the projects  undertaken  in the context of 
this programme.  The  contracting parties  under  such  arrangements  shall not  benefit 
from  Community funding.  They shall contribute to the general administrative costs. 

4.  The choice of projects shall be carried out according to the following order of priority, 

the first method being the rule, the second the exception: 

(6)  For the purposes of this programme, the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN), whose 

headquarters are in Geneva and most of whose installations are on Community territory, may be a party to 
the contracts. 

21 

The  participants  in  the  projects  shall  be  selected  on  the  basis  of  the  ordinary 
procedure  of  calls  for  proposals  referred  to  in  Article 6 (3)  and  published  in  the 
Official Journal of the European Communities. 

The  Commission  may also  accept  proposals  according  to  an  exceptional  procedure 
and under the conditions mentioned below, when they make a particularly promising 
and  significant  contribution  as  regards  the  originality  of  the  theme  proposed,  the 
novelty  of  the  scientific  and  technical  approach  and  the  methodology  of  execution, 
also taking into account the particular nature of the proposers. 

A favourable  technical evaluation of such proposals shall not by itself be a  sufficient 
justification  for  accepting a project; this exceptional procedure  may only apply after 
verification that the nature of the project, as defined above, does not justify the use of 
the normal procedure for calls for proposals. 

The exceptional procedure must be completed before the ordinary procedure in such 
a  way  that  the  available  amount  for  the  Community's  financial  participation  in 
projects retained by the ordinary procedure can be determined precisely. The closing 
date for the exceptional procedure shall be published each year in the Official Journal. 

The  amount  of  the  financial  participation  of  the  Community  for  all  the  projects 
retained by the exceptional  procedure will  be decided  each year,  in  relation  to  the 
projects selected according to particularly strict criteria of excellence.  In any case, this 
amount may not exceed 15%; it may be revised each year in the light of experience. 

The Commission  shall draw up a vade mecum setting out  all the rules applicable to 
this exceptional procedure in order to guarantee full transparency. 

5.  The projects must involve at least  two mutually  independent  partners established in 

different Member States. 

6.  The  Commission  may  encourage  the  participants  to  form  a  European  Economic 
Interest Grouping (EEIG) or make other arrangements for carrying out projects, such 
as those on a large scale, permitting decentralized management adapted to the specific 
requirements of the project. 

7.  The knowledge acquired during the course of the projects shall be disseminated on the 
one  hand  within  the  specific  programme  and  on  the  other  hand  by  means  of  a 
centralized  activity,  pursuant  to  the  decision  referred  to  in  the  third  paragraph  of 
Article 4 in Decision 90/221 /Euratom, EEC. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1.  BUDGET HEADING AND TITLE 

Subsection 6, Item B 6111 

Specific  programme  of  Community  RTD  activities  in  the  field  of  Information 
Technologies (1990-1994) 

2.  LEGAL BASE 

Article 130 Q (2) of the Treaty. 

3.  OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION 

See Annex I of the proposal. 

4.  FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

Amounts deemed necessary in MioECU: 

Programme implementation 

Centralised action for dissemination and valorisation 

TOTAL 

1338.48 

13.52 

1352.00 

The  indicative  internal  breakdown  of  the  1338.48 MioECU  for  the  programme 
implementation  is given in Annex II of the proposal. 

Indicative multiannual schedules 

in MioECU 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994* 

TOTAL 

Commitments 

-

345.00 

19526 

512.00 

286.22 

1338.48 

Payments 

80.00 

290.00 

305.00 

663.48 

1338.48 

* for the payment appropriations: 1994 and beyond. 

The  definitive  yearly  amounts  will  be  determined  by  the  budgetary  authority  in 
accordance with  the financial  perspectives for  the period  1990-1992 (annexed  to  the 
Interinstitutional  Agreement  of  29  June  1988)  and  with  subsequent  financial 
perspectives which may be adopted for  1993 and 1994. 

5.  STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE 

In addition to the principal means of action, which are contracts (annex III), the above 
amounts include programme-related staff and administrative expenditure estimated at 
no more than 94 MioECU. 

The expenditure on staff will not exceed 4% of the amount deemed necessary for the 
programme  implementation. This  implies  a maximum  of  301  statutory  posts  (A, B 
and/or  C)  at  any given time during the life  of  the programme.  The  infrastructure 
costs related to statutory staff will be borne by Part A of the budget. 

6. 

IMPLICATIONS FOR REVENUE 

The contributions  by third country contractors towards the cost  of administration of 
the  programme  will  be  reused  pursuant  to  articles 27.2  and  96  of  the  Financial 
Regulation*1) 

7.  TYPE OF CONTROL 

Control will be exercised by: 

-  the Programme Management Committee (scientific control) 

-  the services  of  the  DG  responsible  for  the execution  of  the  programme, possibly 

assisted by independent experts 

-  the Commission's Financial Controller. 

In accordance with Article 2 of the Financial Regulation^), the use of appropriations 
will  be  subject  to  analyses  of  cost-effectiveness  and  the  realization  of  quantified 
objectives will be monitored. 

External audits may be carried out by the Court of Auditors in accordance with the 
Treaty. 

(1)  Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977, as last amended by Regulation 610/90 of  13 Mardi 1990. 

Competitiveness and Employment Impact Statement 

Subject:  Proposal for a Council Decision concerning a specific programme of research 

and technological development in the field of Information Technology (1990-
1994) 

I  Reason for Introducing Measure 

The proposal  is being submitted in order to implement the Information Technology 

part  of  the  third  Framework  Programme  of  Community  activities  in  the  field  of 

research and development (1990-1994). 

II  Features of the Businesses in Question 

The proposal  is  of  an  industrial  nature  and  is  primarily  directed  to  enterprises  in 

Information  Technology.  This  sector  includes  a  large  proportion  of  SMEs, which 

already participate in the ESPRIT Programme to a considerable extent.  In fact SMEs 

participate in 80% of projects in the second phase of ESPRIT. 

The  businesses  in  question  are  spread  throughout  the  Member  States  including 
regions which are eligible for regional aid and eligible under the ERDF. 

III  Obligations Directly Imposed on Businesses 

The  proposal  confirms  the  principles  of  existing  administrative  procedures  for 

participation in the programme and takes account of the continuous need for  efforts 

in  terms  of  encouraging  industrial  actors  towards  further  transnational  initiatives, 

including  an  increase  of  the  potential  for  such  cooperation  of  organizations  in 

peripheral Member States. 

There  are  no  disadvantages  to  enterprises  except  for  the  additional  costs,  quite 
minimal, relating to the preparation of unsuccessful proposals. 

IV  Indirect Obligations Likely to be imposed on businesses by local authorities 

None are envisaged. 

V  Special measures in respect of SMEs 

The major  advantage for  SMEs is that  all signatories to contracts are treated  on  an 

equal footing,  so that  even with a  relatively small contribution  to make, a  contractor 

has  the  right  of  full  access  to  and  exploitation  of  results.  SMEs  participate  in  all 

technology areas of ESPRIT and in both large pre-planned projects and smaller  more 

speculative projects. Their participation  is far  from  secondary.  92 ESPRIT  projects 

(25%) have SMEs operating as prime contractors. 

With  respect  to  the  technical  content  of  the  Specific  Programme,  new  increased 
emphasis will be given to areas such as software,  computer  integrated  manufacturing 
and engineering which are particularly suited to SMEs because of their large presence 
and vital impact  in these areas.  Aside from  the  R&D activity per se, accompanying 
measures, some aimed specifically at SMEs, constitute an  integral part of the current 
proposal. 

VI  Likely Effects on Competitiveness of Businesses and on Employment 

The effects on competitiveness and employment (inasmuch as these can be measured) 

of R&D programmes such as the Specific Programme in IT are and will continue to be 

of an  indirect and positive nature in the medium  term.  ESPRIT has so far  permitted 

over 410 SMEs to participate  in research  and development,  thereby  enhancing  their 

technological capabilities  and their  international  market  prospects.  An  independent 

high-level review of ESPRIT conducted  in  1939 report  that  SMEs are positive  about 

the effects  of ESPRIT on their competitive position. Beneficial  effects  quoted  include 

:  improved  access  to  markets,  better  understanding  of  international  market  needs, 

improved 

international  marketing  contacts, 

improved  corporate 

image  and 

acceptability  to  international  customers.  Without  ESPRIT  many  SMEs  would  not 

have  the  funds  available  for  significant  research  activity  nor  would  they  be  able  to 

benefit  from  international  collaboration.  The  Programme  is expected  to  offer  to  a 

considerable  number  of  high-tech-oriented  SMEs  chances 

to  participate 

in 

international projects. 

VII  Consultation of Industry 

The proposal is the result of a broad consultation of representatives from  Community 

industry  and  science.  The  proposal  will  be  submitted  to  the  Economic  and  Social 

Committee for opinion. 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(90) 153 final 

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