Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base" (1998 to 2002)
Date: 1998-06-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, EU research policy, innovation, research and development, research expenditure (EU), research staff

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Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  adopting  a  specific  programme  for  research,  technological
development  and  demonstration  on  ‘Improving  the  human  research  potential  and  the
socio-economic  knowledge  base’  (1998  to  2002)

(98/C  260/07)

(Text  with  EEA  relevance)

COM(98)  305  final  —  98/0183(CNS)

(Submitted  by  the  Commission  on  10  June  1998)

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European
Community,  and  in  particular  Article  130i(4)  thereof,

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission,

Having  regard 
Parliament,

to 

the  opinion  of 

the  European

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee,

Whereas  by  Decision  No  . . ./98/EC (1),  the  European
Parliament  and  the  Council  adopted  the  fifth  framework
programme  of  the  European  Community  (hereinafter
referred  to  as  ‘the  fifth  framework  programme’)  for
research,  technological  development  and  demonstration
(hereinafter referred to as ‘RTD’) activities for the period
1998–2002 specifying inter alia the activities to be carried
out  in  the  field  of  improving  the  human  research
potential  and  the  socio-econimic  knowledge  base;

Whereas  Article  130i(3)  of  the  Treaty  stipulates  that  the
framework  programme  shall  be  implemented  through
specific programmes developed within each activity under
the  framework  programme,  and  that  each  specific
programme 
for
implementing  it,  fix  its  duration  and  provide  for  the
means  deemed  necessary;

the  detailed 

shall  define 

rules 

Whereas, in accordance with Article 4(2) of Decision No
1110/94/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the
fourth
Council  of  26  April  1994  concerning 
framework  programme  of  the  European  Community
activities 
technological
development  and  demonstration  (1994–1998) (2)  and

field  of 

research, 

the 

the 

in 

the 

implementing 

Article  4(2)  of  the  Council  Decisions  on  the  specific
programmes 
framework
programme,  the  Commission  has  had  an  external
assessment  conducted  which  it  has  transmitted  to  the
European  Parliament,  the  Council,  the  Economic  and
Social  Committee  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions
together  with  its  conclusions  and  comments;

fourth 

Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee
has  been  consulted  on  the  scientific  and  technological
content  of  the  specific  programmes,  as  set  out  in
the  working  paper  adopted  by  the  Commission  on
5  November  1997 (3);

Whereas,  in  accordance  with  Article  130j  of  the  Treaty,
Council  Decision  98/. . ./EC  of  . . .,  concerning  the  rules
for  the  participation  of  undertakings,  research  centres
and  universities  and  for  the  dissemination  of  research
results (4)  (hereinafter  referred  to  as 
‘the  rules  for
participation  and  dissemination’)  applies  to  this  specific
programme  and  allows  the  participation  of  the  Joint
Research  Centre  in  the  indirect  actions  covered  by  this
specific programme;

for 

implementing 

the  purpose  of 

Whereas, 
this
programme,  in  addition  to  cooperation  covered  by  the
Agreement  on  the  European  Economic  Area  or  by  an
Association  Agreement,  it  may  be  appropriate  to  engage
in  international  cooperation  activities,  on  the  basis  of
Article  130m  of 
international
organisations  and  with  third  countries;

the  Treaty,  with 

Whereas  implementation  of  this  programme  will  also
comprise activities and mechanisms aimed at stimulating,
disseminating  and  exploiting  RTD  results,  in  particular
vis-à-vis 
small  and  medium-sized  enterprises,  and
activities  to  stimulate  the  mobility  and  training  of
researchers;

(1)  Common  position  31/98,  adopted  by  the  Council  on  23

March  1998  (OJ  C  178,  10.6.1998,  p.  1).

(2)  OJ  L  126,  18.5.1994,  p.  1.  Decision  as  last  amended  by
Decision  No  2535/97/EC  (OJ  L  347,  18.12.1997,  p.  1).

(3)  COM(97)553  final.
(4)  COM(97)587  final  (OJ  C  40,  7.2.1998,  p.  14).

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Whereas,  in  accordance  with  the  objectives  of  the  first
action  plan  for  innovation,  research  activities  under  the
fifth  framework  programme  should  be  geared  more
towards  innovation;

are  set  out  in  Annex  II.  They  are  consistent  with  the
fundamental  principles  and  the  three  categories  of
selection  criteria  indicated  in  Annex  I  of  the  fifth
framework  programme.

Whereas  the  implementation  of  this  programme  should
be  monitored  with  a  view  to  adapting 
it,  where
appropriate, to scientific and technological developments;
whereas in due course there should also be an assessment
of  progress  with 
independent
experts,

the  programme  by 

2.
In  accordance  with  these  principles  and  criteria  the
selection  criteria  indicated  in  Article  10  of  the  rules  for
participation  and  dissemination  shall  be  applied  for  the
selection  of  the  RTD  activities  to  be  carried  out.

Selection  criteria  specific  to  this  programme  are  given  in
Annex  IV.

HAS  ADOPTED  THIS  DECISION

Article  1

these  criteria  shall  be  complied  with 

All 
the
implementation  of  the  programme,  including  the  work
programme referred to in Article 5(1), although they may
be  weighted  differently.

in 

In  accordance  with  Article  3(1)  of  the  fifth  framework
programme,  the  specific  programme  on  ‘Improving  the
human  research  potential  and 
the  socio-economic
knowledge  base’  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  ‘the  specific
programme’)  is  hereby  adopted  for  the  period  from  [the
date  of  adoption  of  this  programme]  to  31  December
2002.

3. The  rules  for  participation  and  dissemination  shall
apply  to  the  specific  programme.

4. Detailed  rules  for  financial  participation  by  the
Community  in  the  specific  programme  are  defined  in
Article  4  of  the  fifth  framework  programme.

Article  2

1.
In  accordance  with  Annex  III  to  the  fifth  framework
programme,  the  amount  deemed  necessary  for  carrying
out the specific programme (hereinafter referred to as ‘the
amount’)  is  ECU  1 402 million, including a maximum of
6,35 % 
ex-
penditure.

the  Commission’s  administrative 

for 

2. An  indicative  breakdown  of  this  amount  is  given  in
Annex  I.

3. Of  this  amount

—  ECU  288,5  million  is  for  the  period  1998  to  1999,

and

—  ECU  1 113,5  million  is  for  the  period  2000  to

2002.

Where  appropriate,  the  latter  figure  will  be  adapted  in
accordance  with  Article  3(3)  of  the  fifth  framework
programme.

4. The budgetary authority shall, in compliance with the
scientific  and  technological  objectives  and  priorities  laid
down  in  this  Decision,  set  the  appropriations  for  each
financial  year  taking  into  account  the  availability  of
resources  within  the  multiannual  financial  perspective.

indirect  RTD  actions  under 

5. The 
specific
programme  are  defined  in  Annexes  II  and  IV  to  the  fifth
framework  programme.

the 

Specific  rules  for  implementing  the  programme  are  set
out  in  Annex  III.

Article  4

In  the  light  of  the  criteria  set  out  in  Article  3,  and  the
scientific  and  technological  objectives  and  priorities  set
out  in  Annex  II,  the  Commission  shall:

(a)  monitor 

the 

specific
implementation  of 
programme and, where appropriate, submit proposals
for adapting it, in accordance with Article 5(1) of the
fifth  framework  programme,

the 

(b) have  the  external  assessment  provided  for  in  Article
5(2)  of  the  fifth  framework  programme  conducted
concerning  the  activities  carried  out  in  the  fields
covered  by  the  specific  programme.

Article  5

1. The  Commission  shall  draw  up  a  work  programme
specifying:

Article  3

(a)  the  content  of  Annex  II,

1. The  general  outlines,  the  scientific  and  technological
objectives  and  the  priorities  for  the  specific  programme

(b) the indicative timetable for the implementation of the

specific programme,

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(c)  the  coordination  arrangements  indicated  in  Annex,

Article  7

III;

(d) and,  where  necessary,  the  selection  criteria  and  the
arrangements  for  applying  them  for  each  type  of
indirect  RTD  action.

The  work  programme 
appropriate.

shall  be  updated  where

2. For  the  purpose  of  implementing  the  indirect  RTD
actions,  the  Commission  shall,  on  the  basis  of  the  work
programme,  initiate  the  procedures  set  out  in  the  rules
for  participation  and  dissemination,  primarily  through
calls  for  proposals.

Article  6

1. The  Commission  shall  be  responsible 
implementation  of  this  specific  programme.

for 

the

2.
It  shall  be  assisted  by  a  Programme  Committee
composed  of  representatives  of  the  Member  States  and
chaired  by  the  representative  of  the  Commission.

3. The representative of the Commission shall submit to
the  Programme  Committee  a  draft  of  the  measures  to  be
taken  concerning:

—  the drawing-up and updating of the work programme

referred  to  in  Article  5(1),

—  the  drawing-up  of  the  terms  of  reference  for  the
external assessment provided for in Article 5(2) of the
fifth  framework  programme,

—  any  adjustment  to  the  indicative  breakdown  of  the

1. The  Programme  Committee  shall  deliver  its  opinion
on the draft measures referred to in Article 6(3) within a
time  limit  which  the  Chairman  may  lay  down  according
to  the  urgency  of  the  matter.  The  opinion  shall  be
delivered  by  the  majority  laid  down  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  representatives  of  the  Member  States
within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set
out  in  that  Article.  The  Chairman  shall  not  vote.

The  Commission  shall  adopt  the  measures  envisaged  if
they  are 
the
Committee.

in  accordance  with 

the  opinion  of 

If  the  measures  envisaged  are  not  in  accordance  with  the
opinion  of  the  Committee,  or  if  no  opinion  is  delivered,
the  Commission  shall,  without  delay,  submit  to  the
Council  a  proposal  relating  to  the  measures  to  be  taken.
The  Council  shall  act  by  a  qualified  majority.

If, on expiry of a period of six weeks from the referral of
the matter to the Council, the Council has not acted, the
the
proposed  measures 
Commission.

adopted 

shall 

by 

be 

regularly 

shall 
of 

the
2. The  Commission 
the
Programme  Committee 
implementation  of  the  specific  programme,  and  shall  in
particular provide it with information about the results of
the  evaluation  and  selection  of  the 
indirect  RTD
actions.

inform 
progress  with 

Article  8

amount  as  set  out  in  Annex  I.

This  Decision  is  addressed  to  the  Member  States.

ANNEX  I

INDICATIVE  BREAKDOWN  OF  THE  AMOUNT

Type  of  activity

Total

Total

ECU  1 402  million

Including  the  key  action:  Improving  the  socio-economic  knowledge  base

10 %

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ANNEX  II

THE  GENERAL  OUTLINES,  THE  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNOLOGICAL  OBJECTIVES  AND  THE
PRIORITIES

INTRODUCTION

The world is increasingly based on knowledge. The Community’s prime asset in this area is the quality of its
researchers,  engineers  and  technicians.  The  aim  is  to  preserve  and  help  develop  this  knowledge  potential
through  greater  support  for  the  training  and  mobility  of  researchers  and  by  enhancing  access  to  research
infrastructures.

The  Community  also  has  a  solid  tradition  of  research  in  social  and  economic  science  and  the  humanities,
which  needs  to  be  mobilised  to  identify  economic  and  social  trends  and  requirements,  both  current  and
future,  in  order  to  contribute  to  the  Community’s  competitiveness  and  quality  of  life  of  its  citizens.

General objectives

The  general  objectives  of  this  programme,  to  be  realised  in  concert  with  related  activities  elsewhere  in  the
Framework Programme, are centred on two main areas of activity, to improve the human research potential
and  to  strengthen  the  socio-economic  knowledge  base.  To  this  end,  actions  will  be  undertaken:

—  to  develop  the  Community’s  human  research  potential,  making  special  efforts  to  ensure  equality  of
access  and  a  better  balance  between  men  and  women,  notably  through  the  training  and  mobility  of
researchers  so  as  to  contribute,  inter  alia,  to  efforts  for  creating  new  jobs;

—  to  enhance  access  to  research  infrastructures;

—  to help make the Community an attractive location for researchers and to promote European research in

the  international  arena  and  to  promote  a  European  scientific  and  technological  culture;

—  to  strengthen,  through  a  specific  key  action,  the  socio-economic  knowledge  base  for  a  better

understanding  of  key  problems  facing  European  society;

—  to  help  develop  scientific  and  technological  policies  and  other  Community  policies.

1.  ACTIONS  SPECIFIC  TO  THE  PROGRAMME

SUPPORTING  TRAINING  AND  MOBILITY  OF  RESEARCHERS

The  individual  and  collective  expertise  of  the  Community’s  researchers  is  a  considerable  asset.  However,
scientific  research  takes  place  in  a  strongly  competitive  world-wide  environment  and  compared  with  our
main  competitors,  the  Community  has:  a  relative  shortage  of  researchers;  a  rather  high  fragmentation  and
duplication  of  research  effort;  a  certain  isolation  of  research  teams,  particularly  in  the  peripheral  and
less-favoured  regions  of  the  Community;  a  relatively  low  mobility  of  researchers,  both  geographically  and
between  academia  and  industry;  a  general  tendency  towards  an  ageing  workforce,  which  also  affects  the
research  field;  and  underuse  of  the  potential  of  female  scientists.

a  European  Research  Area 

To  address  these  issues,  ‘Supporting  Training  and  Mobility  of  Researchers’  will  concentrate  on  helping  to
stimulating
create 
training-through-research  of  young  researchers,  especially  those  in  the  early  stages  of  their  professional
career;  promoting  equality  of  opportunities  between  woman  and  men  in  the  research  field;  promoting
transnational  cooperation  between  research  teams,  particularly  through  networking  around  a  common
research  project,  promoting  the  mobility  of  researchers  throughout  Europe;  encouraging  cooperation,

following  overall  objectives: 

through 

the 

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interactions  and  staff  mobility  between  academic  and  industrial  research;  and  promoting  the  scientific  and
technological  cohesion  of  the  Community,  particularly  with  respect  to  its  less-favoured  regions.

This  action  of  the  Programme  will  be  implemented  through  two  lines:  Research  Training  Networks  and  a
coherent  system  of  Marie  Curie  Fellowships.  They  will  be  open  to  all  fields  of  scientific  research  that
contribute  to  the  Community’s  objectives  in  research,  technological  development  and  demonstration,  for
projects  chosen  freely  by  the  participants  themselves.  In  the  selection  of  projects,  there  will  be  no
pre-established  target  in  terms  of  scientific  discipline  or  topic  the  selection  being  made  on  the  criteria  of
scientific  excellence  and  relevance  to  the  objectives  of  the  actions  alone  (i.e.  ‘a  bottom-up’  approach).

Research  training  networks

The  primary  objective  is  to  promote  training-through-research,  especially  of  young  researchers  at
pre-doctoral and at post-doctoral level, within the frame of high quality transnational collaborative research
projects,  including  those  in  emerging  fields  of  research.  The  Community  support  will  be  awarded  both  to
reinforce the research teams of a network through the temporary appointment of young researchers coming
from  a  country  other  than  that  of  the  team  concerned  and  to  contribute  towards  the  costs  of  coordinating
the  collaborative  research  project  on  which  the  network  is  based.

Each  network  will  be  required  to  define  an  appropriate  training  programme  for  its  young  researchers.  Its
training programme will take advantage of the international nature of the network and, when relevant, the
multidisciplinarity of its joint project, the complementarity of its teams and the network’s connections with
industry.  Research  training  networks  will,  in  particular,  promote  the  training  of  researchers  in  an
industrially  relevant  environment  as  well  as  encourage  interplay  between  academic  and  industrial  research.
All  networks  will  be  required  to  offer  equal  opportunities  to  male  and  female  researchers.

System  of  Marie  Curie  Fellowships

This  line  consists  of  a  coherent  system  of  Marie  Curie  Fellowships  centred  on  individual  fellowships  for
young  high-quality  researchers  with  the  necessary  research  experience,  awarded  for  topics  chosen  by  the
researchers themselves. This system is a focused attempt at a more efficient use of the Community funding
of  fellowships  for  training  through  research.

The  researchers  participating  are  in  three  categories:  postgraduates;  young  researchers  with  the  necessary
research experience; these are typically researchers with a doctoral degree or at least four years of full-time
research  experience  at  post-graduate  level  other  than  doctoral  studies;  experienced  researchers;  these  are
typically  researchers  with  at  least  ten  years  of  research  experience  at  post-doctoral  level  and  who  are
established staff members of a research institution. This action will provide equal opportunities for men and
women.

Marie  Curie  Individual  Fellowships

The scheme will provide advanced training through research for the best of Europe’s young researchers with
a  view  to  these  fellows  becoming  Europe’s  leading  researchers.  The  research  institutions  will  host  young
researchers  with  the  necessary  research  experience.

In  addition,  after  completion  of  a  two-year  individual  fellowship,  fellows  originating  from  a  less-favoured
region and who wish to return to a less-favoured region in their country of nationality may receive a return
fellowship.

Marie  Curie  Industry  Host  Fellowships

The  scheme  will  provide  young  researchers  with  opportunities  to  carry  out  research  in  industrial  or
commercial  environments.  The  aim  is  also  to  stimulate  cooperation  between  industry  and  academia.  The
industrial  and  commercial  enterprises  will  host  postgraduates  and  young  researchers  with  the  necessary
research  experience.  The  host  will  be  expected  to  provide  adequate  research  facilities  and  supervision
arrangements for the fellow. There will be special measures for SMEs in order to stimulate the participation
of  these  enterprises  in  the  scheme.

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Marie  Curie  Development  Host  Fellowship

The scheme will help develop high-level research capacity in research institutions in the less-favoured regions
of  the  Community.  Research  institutions  established  in  less-favoured  regions  with  a  need  to  develop  new
areas  of  competence  will  host  young  researchers  with  the  necessary  research  experience.  By  this  means  the
scientific  and  technological  cohesion  of  the  Community  will  be  enhanced.

Marie  Curie  Experienced  Researchers  Fellowship

This  scheme  will  harness  the  expertise  of  Europe’s  experienced  researchers  for  the  transfer  of  knowledge
and  technology  between  industry  and  academia  (in  both  directions)  and  for  similar  transfer  to  the
less-favoured regions. The experienced researcher will come from an industrial or commercial enterprise and
go  to  a  university  or  research  centre,  or  vice  versa;  or  will  come  from  or  go  to  a  research  institution  in  a
less-favoured  region.

Stays  at  Marie  Curie  Training  Sites

The  scheme  will  provide  young  researchers  pursing  their  doctoral  studies  with  the  possibility  to  undertake
part of them at a Marie Curie training site, and by this means optimising the use of specialist training sites
in  order  to  create  Community  added  value.  In  addition,  organisers  of  international  doctoral  studies  in  the
framework  of  a  formal  collaboration  between  participating  organisations  in  different  countries  having  the
form  of  certain  common  requirements  for  achieving  the  doctoral  degree,  are  considered  possible  training
sites.

ENHANCING  ACCESS  TO  RESEARCH  INFRASTRUCTURES

Access  to  major  research  infrastructures  in  increasingly  indispensable  for  researchers  working  at  the
forefront of science. The ability of European research teams to remain competitive with teams elsewhere in
the  world  depends  on  their  being  supported  by  such  state-of-the-art  infrastructures.

The term ‘research infrastructures’ refers to facilities and establishments that provide essential services to the
research  community.  It  covers,  for  example,  singular  large-scale  research  installations,  collections,  special
habitats, libraries, data-bases, integrated arrays provide a service for the wider research community based on
an  assembly  of  techniques  and  know-how.

As most of the major research infrastructures in Europe are operated by national authorities principally for
the  benefit  of  their  national  researchers,  access  to  these  infrastructures  is  often  restricted  largely  or  even
entirely  to  national  research  teams.  The  result  is  that  researchers  do  not  always  have  the  opportunity  to
access  the  infrastructures  in  Europe  most  appropriate  for  their  work.  In  addition,  some  scarce
state-of-the-art facilities owned by industrial companies tend to be closed to researchers working outside the
company.

Another  feature  of  Europe’s  research  infrastructures  is  the  relatively  low  level  of  transnational  cooperation
that exists between infrastructure operators in many fields. A strong Community added-value would arise if
the  same  culture  of  cooperation  could  be  created  among  infrastructure  operators  as  is  now  beginning  to
exist  between  Europe’s  researchers.

In  the  context  that  the  construction  and  operation  of  infrastructures  is  the  responsibility  of  national
authorities,  ‘Enhancing  Access  to  Research  Infrastructures’  has  the  following  general  objectives:

—  to  sponsor  new  opportunities  for  transnational  access  to  major  research 

infrastructures  of

Community-wide  interest;

—  to stimulate infrastructure operators and users to work together in order to make more effective use of
research  infrastructures  and  hence  to  improve  the  service  they  provide  to  the  scientific  community;

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—  to  arrange  coordinating,  supporting  and  accompanying  actions  that  ensure  consistency  with  related

actions  undertaken  in  other  specific  programmes.

It  will  be  open  to  infrastructures  in  all  fields  of  scientific  research  that  contribute  to  the  Community’s
objectives  in  research,  technological  development  and  demonstration,  to  the  extent  that  such  measures  are
not  undertaken  by  other  activities  of  the  framework  programme.  It  will  be  implemented  primarily  through
an  action  to  help  researchers  with  Transnational  Access  to  Major  Research  Infrastructures.  In  addition,
there  will  be  two  complementary  actions  -  Infrastructure  Cooperation  Networks  and  Research
Infrastructure  RTD  Projects.

Transnational  access  to  major  research  infrastructures

The objective is to sponsor new opportunities for research teams (including individual researchers) to obtain
access  to  the  major  research  infrastructures  most  appropriate  for  their  work,  irrespective  of  where  in  the
Member  States  or  Associated  States  they  or  the  infrastructure  is  located.

To be considered for Community support, the infrastructure must provide a world-class service essential for
the  conduct  of  top  quality  research,  must  be  rare  in  Europe,  must  have  investment  or  operating  costs  that
are  relatively  high  in  relation  to  those  costs  in  its  particular  field,  and  must  provide  adequate  scientific,
technical  and  logistic  support  to  external,  particularly  first-time,  users.

Community  support  will  be  awarded  to  the  selected  infrastructure  operators  for  them  to  provide  access  to
their facilities free of charge to transnational users. Each selected infrastructure operator will be expected to
publicise widely the opportunities being offered and to arrange for an independent peer-review of proposals
submitted to it based on scientific merit, where in addition priority is to be given to first-time users and to
users  coming  from  countries  where  no  similar  facility  exists.

As  a  general  rule,  users  conducting  proprietary  research  will  not  be  supported  under  this  action.  An
exception  will,  however,  be  made  in  the  case  of  SMEs  who  wish  to  use  a  particular  infrastructure  for  the
first  time.

Infrastructure  cooperation  networks

The  objective  is  to  catalyse  the  self-coordination  and  the  pooling  of  resources  between  infrastructure
operators  in  order  to  foster  a  culture  of  cooperation  between  them,  to  generate  critical  mass  for  research
into higher performance techniques, instrumentation and technologies, to spread good practice, to promote
common  protocols  and  interoperability,  to  encourage  complementarity  and  to  stimulate  the  creation  of
‘distributed’  and  ‘virtual’  large  facilities.

Community  support  will  be  awarded  to  help  coordinate  those  joint  activities  that  could  lead  to  the  more
effective  use  and  exploitation  of  present  and  future  infrastructures  relevant  to  the  network.  Participants  in
these  networks  will  be  operators  of  research  infrastructures,  research  teams  in  universities,  in  research
centres  and  in  industry,  representatives  of  users  of  the  infrastructures,  and  equipment  manufacturers.  Each
network  will  be  devoted  to  different  aspects  of  Europe’s  research  infrastructures.

Research  infrastructure  RTD  projects

The  objective  is  to  support  cooperative  research  efforts  that  could  have  widespread  significance  at  a
Community  level  for  enhancing  access  to  and  improving  the  service  provided  by  infrastructures  in  a
particular field. Such RTD projects will be particularly encouraged when they are in support of the work of
the  infrastructure  cooperation  networks  of  this  Programme  or  of  the  precursor  concerted  actions  of  the
earlier  Training  and  Mobility  of  Researchers  Programme.

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PROMOTING  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNOLOGICAL  EXCELLENCE

Scientific  and  technological  excellence  are  essential  prerequisites  for  Europe  to  succeed  in  the  competitive
environment  of  international  research  and  scientific  development.  The  promotion  of  excellence  would  be
expected to encourage the best individuals and teams to become involved in and be committed to European
research  and  to  increase  the  visibility  of  outstanding  research  findings  produced  by  European  researchers.

At  the  same  time  it  will  be  important  to  improve  the  image  of  science  and  research  in  society  with  the
objective of creating a favourable environment for research and technological development, and in particular
for  activities  carried  out  under  Community  framework  programmes.  Scientific  activities  and  research  can
only succeed and have the expected beneficial impact if citizens develop a basic understanding of science and
scientific  issues  and  come  to  an  overall  positive  perception  of  relevant  activities  and  their  results.

Where  possible,  activities  will  build  on  and  complement  national  activities.

High-level  scientific  conferences

High-level  Scientific  Conferences  will  contribute  to  the  advancement  of  science  through  exchange  and  to
create  conditions  for  experienced  researchers,  working  at  the  cutting  edge  of  scientific  and  technological
development,  to  impart  their  knowledge  and  experience  to  the  younger  generation.  Scientific  Conferences
will also create the framework for the networking of Community researchers active outside the Community
to  build  up  or  preserve  their  contacts  and  scientific  relations  with  colleagues  in  Europe.

Scientific  Conferences  may  be  organised  as  Euro-conferences,  -courses,  -workshops  or  -summer  schools.
They  will,  as  a  general  rule,  be  small  scale  events.  Bigger  events  may  be  supported  with  the  objective  of
facilitating  the  participation  of  young  researchers.  Non-traditional  forms  of  scientific  conferencing  such  as
electronic  conferences  will  be  encouraged.  Scientific  Conferences  will  be  open  to  all  fields  of  scientific
research  on  topics  freely  chosen  by  the  researchers  themselves.

Distinctions  for  high-level  research  work

These  distinctions  will  give  public  recognition  and  visibility  to  European  researchers  having  successfully
completed  outstanding  transnational  projects  in  fields  of  research  and  technological  development,  in
particular those supported under Community framework programmes. Distinctions for younger people who
have carried out remarkable scientific work whilst being still in the secondary or tertiary educational system
will motivate them to continue their efforts in the interest of Europe’s scientific and technological future and
also  encourage  other  individuals  of  the  same  age  to  take  an  active  interest  in  science  and  research.

Distinctions  will  be  foreseen  as  follows:  the  ‘Descartes  Prize’  for  outstanding  scientific  and  technological
achievements resulting from European cooperation, in particular from cooperative projects supported under
Community  framework  programmes;  an  award  to  undergraduate  students  of  higher  education  institutions
in  Europe  having  developed  original  scientific  ideas  or  concepts  in  areas  which  are  relevant  to  the
advancement of European science; the ‘European Union Contest for Young Scientists,’ catering for scientific
talents  in  the  age  range  15  to  20  years,  to  be  organised  in  conjunction  with  the  appropriate‘public
awareness’ activities.

Raising  public  awareness

The main objective will be to raise public awareness for scientific activities and technological developments,
in  particular  those  undertaken  in  European  research  programmes,  and  thereby  bridge  the  gap  between
science  in  its  European  dimension  and  the  public.  This  should  help  European  citizens  to  better  understand
both  the  beneficial  impact  of  science  and  technology  on  their  day-to-day  lives  as  well  as  limitations  and

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possible  implications  of  research  and  technological  developments.  The  activity  will  also  aim  to  increase
scientists’  awareness  of  issues  and  subjects  that  are  of  concern  to  the  public.

Community  support  will  be  provided:  to  promote  European  networking  and  the  exchange  of  best  practice
between  successful  projects  and  initiatives  at  national  or  regional  level;  to  arrange  for  regular  encounters
between scientists and science communicators; to promote the participation of women in science; to support
the  organisation  of  a  ‘European  Science  and  Technology  Week’  as  a  show-case  for  the  concerted  and
coordinated  display  of  European  efforts  in  science  and  research;  to  provide  via  electronic  networks  and
other  appropriate  means  information  on  topical  scientific  and  technological  subjects  in  a  language  that  is
understandable  to  the  scientifically  interested  but  non-specialist  citizen.

KEY  ACTION:  IMPROVING  THE  SOCIO-ECONOMIC  KNOWLEDGE  BASE

The European Union draws its strength both from the social and cultural diversities between its members as
well  as  from  the  similarities  of  their  experiences  and  common  values.  The  Community  also  has  a  solid
tradition  of  research  in  social  and  economic  science  and  the  humanities,  which  need  to  be  mobilised  to
identify economic and social trends and requirements, both current and future, in order to contribute to the
Community’s  competitiveness  and  quality  of  life  of  its  citizens.

In  a  period  of  increasing  challenges,  such  as  unacceptable  levels  of  unemployment,  an  increase  in
inequalities,  and  a  declining  relative  contribution  to  the  world  economy,  European  society  will  have  to
undergo  changes  towards  achieving  sustainable  socio-economic  development,  the  improvement  of  the
quality  of  life  of  all  its  citizens  and  to  maintain  and  enhance  Europe’s  competitive  position  in  the  world.
Social sciences must therefore be in a position to respond to these challenges, overcome national boundaries,
reinforce  their  cooperation  and  enhance  their  analytical  capacity.  Furthermore  the  process  of  European
integration itself has given rise to a new object of study - European society - which is different from the sum
of  its  components,  although  clearly  dependent  on  them.

The objective of this key action will be to improve our understanding of the structural changes taking place
in the European society in order to identify ways of managing change and to involve European citizens more
actively  in  shaping  their  own  futures.  This  will  involve  the  analysis  of  the  main  trends  giving  rise  to  these
changes,  the  analysis  of  the  relationships  between  technology,  employment  and  society,  the  re-appraisal  of
participation  mechanisms  for  collective  action  at  all  levels  of  governance  and  the  elaboration  of  new
development  strategies  fostering  growth  employment  and  economic  and  social  cohesion.

This  key  action  covers  a  number  of  subjects  linked  to  the  general  objectives  of  the  framework  programme
and aims at defining the base for employment-generating social, economic and cultural development and for
building  a  European  knowledge  society.  These  subjects  should  not  be  seen  in  isolation,  but  as  interrelated
parts  of  a  coherent  and  comprehensive  framework.

Support  will  aim  at  developing  a  conceptual  understanding  of  the  processes  described  above,  built  upon
empirical,  comparative  and  prospective  research,  including  constructing  and  integrating  data  and  indicator
systems  and  establishing  a  common  research  infrastructure.  These  activities  will  therefore  contribute  to
provide the policy decision-making process with a sound knowledge of the challenges facing Europe, of their
main  consequences  and  of  possible  policy  options  to  tackle  them.

Societal  trends  and  structural  changes

Against  a  background  of  profound  structural,  demographic  and  social  changes,  research  within  this  theme
will  aim  at  elucidating  the  complex  interactions  between  societal  trends,  life  chances,  economic  changes,
labour  market  institutions  and  cultural  pattern,  taking  into  account  European  regional  diversities.  The
analysis  will  include  the  phenomena  of  xenophobia,  racism  and  migration.  Attention  will  be  accorded  on
the  impact  on  economic  development,  social  integration  and  social  protection.

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The  study  of  these  interactions  will  provide  a  better  understanding  of  the  changing  patterns  of  work  and
organisation of time, of the use of new types, of atypical and part-time or temporary jobs, of the capacity of
education and training to prepare individuals over their lifetime to a changing environment and to enhance
knowledge  and  of  the  gender  issue  in  European  society.  Research  work  will  provide  a  sound  knowledge
base  and  contribute  to  the  formulation  and  development  of  the  relevant  European  policies.

Technology,  society  and  employment

Research  under  this  theme  aims  to  understand  better  the  relationship  of  interdependency  and  embeddness
between  technology  and  society.  While  the  need  for  integrating  social,  institutional  and  environmental
concerns  in  the  technological  development  process  is  now  accepted,  the  possible  options  vary  according  to
different  kinds  of  technologies,  the  state  of  their  development  and  diffusion  in  society.  Research  will  be
undertaken  on  methods  of  interaction  between  the  various  actors  concerned  -  suppliers,  users,  advisory
bodies,  decision  makers  and  public  authorities.  An  improved  understanding  of  the  deployment  and  the
impact of technologies in various socio-economic, territorial, institutional, political and cultural contexts in
the Union is expected to arise from this work. Research will also examine the role of the public sector in the
innovation  process  and  how  authorities  interact  with  other  partners.

Attention  will  be  paid  to  the  relationships  between  technology  and  employment,  in  particular  the  new
information  and  communications  technologies  and  the  new  ways  of  organising  production  and  labour,
including  newly  emerging  professions,  the  geographical  location  of  employment,  changes  in  the  working
conditions and in the workforce skills. The role of innovation in education and training, the concept of life
long learning, as well a show education and training can stimulate innovation, promote employment, social
integration  and  equal  opportunities,  will  also  be  examined.

Governance  and  citizenship

In  the  context  of  European  integration,  there  is  a  need  to  re-assess  the  role  of  the  different  levels  of
governance  in  Europe  (local,  regional,  national  and  supranational).  The  aim  will  be  to  analyse  the  mutual
articulation  of  responsibility  and  accountability  at  all  levels  and  their  real  capacity  as  agents  of  change,
whilst allowing for the development of mechanisms of dialogue, deliberation and decision-making to ensure
effective  cooperation  between  all  the  actors  concerned.

Research  will  set  out  to  explain  to  what  extent  the  various  types  of  economic  and  social  regulation  in
Europe  are  the  consequences  of  a  specific  socio-institutional  and  cultural  construction,  in  order  to  define
better  European  integration  strategies.  It  will  address  both  regulation  by  public  authorities  as  well  as  civil
initiatives  and  structures  such  as  political  parties,  public  interest  groups  and  social  partners.  The
examination of the role of public authorities will also cover the re-assessment of their missions, and of the
concept of public service and the notion of public interest. In this framework, the analysis of the evolution
of  welfare  systems  will  be  a  key  element.

The analyses will be accompanied by the study of the concept of citizenship across Europe, and of types and
systems  of  regulation  to  which  they  give  rise.  Research  will  also  analyse  the  influence  of  the  various
components  of  culture  (traditions,  language,  history  heritage,  religions,  migrations)  and  of  educational
models  on  the  development  of  values.  Analysis  at  the  level  of  the  individual  could  complement,  where
appropriate, research in this area. The role of media in a global economy, in which international audiovisual
cultural  products  are  increasingly  present,  will  also  be  examined.

New  development  models  fostering  growth  and  employment

This  prospective  work  will  seek  to  explore  new  sustainable  development  models  to  foster  growth,  job
creation,  equal  opportunities,  the  reduction  of  inequalities  and  the  improvement  of  quality  of  life.  It  will
investigate  the  dynamics  of  creation  and  distribution  of  wealth,  in  a  globalised  economy  where  ‘intangible’
and  service  factors  predominate.  This  will  involve  the  development  of  indicators  and  methodologies  for
assessing the social and economic added value of the various production models, identifying competitiveness
factors  including  human  capital,  and  characterising  the  different  policies  best  adapted  to  the  European

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economic  area,  taking  into  account  Europe’s  regional  divergencies,  and  to  the  evolution  of  Europe  in  the
world  economic  relations.

Research  will  concentrate  on  analyses  of  issues  such  as  organisational  innovations,  new  types  of  work  and
employment,  the  responses  to  the  increasing  demand  for  services,  the  development  of  non-profit  mutual
supporting  activities,  and  innovations  in  socio-economic  partners  cooperation.  Socio-economic  and
demographic  differences  across  Europe  and  the  impact  of  the  development  models  on  economic  and  social
cohesion  will  be  included  in  the  analysis.

SUPPORT  FOR  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNOLOGY  POLICIES  IN  EUROPE

To fulfil the tasks conferred on it by the Treaty in the field of research and innovation, the European Union
needs to increase its ability to anticipate the issues at stake for Europe in the field of science and technology
by  exploiting  the  resources  available  to  it  in  this  area  more  effectively.

A  considerable  amount  of  research  work  and  studies  are  carried  out  and  indicators  produced  ahead  of  the
framing  of  science  and  technology  policy  at  national  and  European  level.  The  inadequate  interaction
between  very  diverse  national  approaches,  and  the  complexity  and  often  transnational  dimension  of  the
issues addressed by the work in question call for networking and the collation and coordinated exploitation
of  results  at  European  level  in  order  to  shed  light  on  certain  major  issues  in  good  time.

In  order  to  support  the  development  of  the  specific  base  of  knowledge  about  scientific  and  technology
policy  issues  which  is  needed  by  both  national  and  European  decision-makers  and  other  users,  these
activities provide a flexible, strategic intelligence-gathering, collating and evaluation service. By underpinning
and complementing the activities carried out at national and international level, the activities are intended to
promote  the  exchange  of  information  and  experience  between  decision-makers  and  researchers  and  enable
knowledge  to  be  put  to  better  use.

Strategic  analysis  of  specific  political  issues

This  activity  involves  the  provision  of  support  for  the  analytical  and  collating  work  to  be  carried  out  on  a
limited  number  of  specific  issues  relating  to  scientific  and  technology  policy.  This  work  will  be  carried  out
by groups of experts from specialised national and international organisations and include studies, seminars
and  conferences.  The  matters  to  be  dealt  with  will  be  identified  by  decision-makers  and  other  players
concerned  with  science  and  technology  policies  in  the  following  fields:

—  Matters  relating  to  the  implications,  for  science  and  technology  policies,  of  the  challenges  posed  by
scientific  and  technological  change,  globalisation,  changes  in  social  demands,  the  new  forms  of
competition  and  cooperation  between  businesses,  and  job-creation  and  growth  in  a  manner  that  is
environmentally  sound  and  contributes  to  social  cohesion;

—  Matters  relating  to  how  the  objectives  and  priorities  of  these  policies  and  the  instruments  used  to

implement  them  enable  them  to  be  tackled  and  analysis  of  their  socio-economic  impact.

The  JRC’s  Institute  for  Prospective  Technological  Studies  will  be  closely  involved  in  the  preparation  of  the
options  and  recommendations  in  which  this  work  should  culminate,  through  its  technology  assessment,
technology  watch  and  technology  foresight  work.

Common  basis  of  science,  technology  and  innovation  indicators

The design, coordination and assessment of RTD strategies in Europe require the availability of relevant and
comparable  indicators  at  different  levels  (national,  regional,  European,  world),  including  indicators
measuring  progress  towards  sustainable  development.  This  second  type  of  activities,  carried  out  in
conjunction  with  the  Statistical  Office  and  the  relevant  Commission  Services  and  in  cooperation  with  the

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Specialist  Institutes  in  Europe,  should  gradually  establish  a  common  European  base  of  science,  technology
and  innovation  indicators.  It  will  be  a  question  of  coordinating  and  funding  the  work  needed  in  order  to
compile appropriate statistics and new indicators covering the Union and the main third countries; it will in
this way be possible to make available to the authorities concerned in the Member States, the European and
national parliamentary assessment offices, and the Commission Services and all interested parties, a coherent
set  of  data  sent  electronically  and  accompanied  by  the  services  needed  for  their  processing,  analysis  and
proper  use.

2.  INTERACTION  WITH  RELATED  ACTIONS  IN  THE  OTHER  FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMME

ACTIVITIES

A  major  feature  of  this  programme  will  consist  of  the  coordination  and  support  of  relevant  activities
throughout the framework programme, concerning, in particular, researcher’s training, support for research
infrastructures  and  the  overall  socio-economic  dimension  of  Community  research.  More  specifically:

—  for the Marie Curie Fellowships: these could also be implemented by the thematic programmes. In order
to  ensure  consistency,  common  rules  will  be  defined  concerning  eligibility,  implementation  modalities,
legal  and  financial  provisions,  and  a  single  entry  point  for  the  reception  of  proposals  will  be  set  up.

—  for  major  research  infrastructures:  consistency  and  complementarity  of  approach  will  be  ensured  with

the  relevant  actions  of  the  other  specific  programmes.

—  for  socio-economic  research:  coordination  will  be  achieved  through  participation  in  the  elaboration  of
the work programmes, support in the creation of appropriate evaluation mechanisms and collection and
dissemination  of  relevant  information,  in  order  to  ensure  that  the  socio-economic  dimension  is
consistenly  taken  into  account  in  the  specific  programmes.

—  for the activities in support of the development of science and technology policies in Europe: consistency
and  complementarity  with  the  actions  of  the  other  specific  programmes  will  be  ensured  through
coordination,  the  use  of  harmonised  instruments  (e.g.  policy-oriented  thematic  networks  and  expert
panels)  and  a  common  approach  for  the  dissemination  of  results  (e.g.  publications,  seminars  and
conferences).

ANNEX  III

SPECIFIC  RULES  FOR  IMPLEMENTING  THE  PROGRAMME

The specific programme is implemented by means of the indirect RTD actions described in Annexes II and
IV  of  the  fifth  framework  programme.  Furthermore,  the  following  specific  rules  for  the  programme
apply:

1. SPECIAL  CONDITIONS

SUPPORTING  TRAINING  AND  MOBILITY  OF  RESEARCHERS

Research  training  networks

A  research  training  network  will  normally  consist  of  a  least  five  non-affiliated  legal  entities  from  at  least
three  Member  States  or  Associated  States.

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Community  funding  will  cover  up  to  100 %  of  the  additional  eligible  costs  connected  with  the  temporary
appointment  of  young  researchers,  both  pre-doctoral  and  post-doctoral,  and  with  coordinating  the  joint
project on which the network is based. The maximum funding for a network as a whole will correspond to
the cost of taking on a young researcher in each of its partners as well as making a contribution to the costs
of coordinating the project. At least 60 % of the funding for each network will be attributed to the costs of
appointing  young  researchers.

Community support will normally not be granted to procure durable equipment nor to finance the research
work  itself.

System  of  Marie  Curie  Fellowships

Researchers  eligible  to  participate  in  the  system  of  Marie  Curie  Fellowships  are  of  three  categories,  as
defined  in  Annex  II  of  this  programme.  They  must  be  nationals  or  residents  of  a  Member  State  or
Associated  State.  Only  legal  persons  established  in  a  Member  State  or  Associated  State  are  eligible  to
participate as host institutions. The research will be undertaken in a country other than that of the fellow’s
nationality  and  recent  centre  of  activity,  except  for  individual  return  fellowships  and  for  experienced
researchers  fellowships.  For  experienced  researchers  fellowships,  in  particular,  the  research  will  be
undertaken  in  a  country  other  than  the  one  in  which  the  experienced  researcher  is  a  staff  member  of  a
research  institution.

Marie  Curie  Individual  Fellowships

The  application  for  an  individual  fellowship  will  be  made  by  the  fellow  in  conjunction  with  the  host
institution.  The  fellows  will  be  selected  by  the  Commission  on  the  basis  of  the  criteria  stipulated  in  Annex
IV  of  the  present  programme.

The  fellowships  will  be  paid  to  the  host  institution  in  accordance  to  Annex  IV  of  the  fifth  framework
programme.  The  amount  of  the  allowance  for  the  fellow  will  be  established  for  each  Member  State  and
Associated  State  taking  into  account  both  the  high  standard  of  the  Marie  Curie  fellows  and  the  overall
situation  of  researchers  of  a  corresponding  level  in  the  host  country,  it  will  include  a  provision  for  proper
social  security  expenses.

Each  host  must  ensure  that  the  fellow  is  covered  under  the  social  security  scheme  which  is  applied  to
employed  workers  within  the  Member  State  or  Associated  State  concerned,  or  under  a  social  security
scheme  providing  a  protection  which  is  at  least  comparable,  in  terms  of  level  and  scope.

Marie  Curie  Industry  Host  Fellowships

The host institutions will be selected by the Commission on the basis of the criteria stipulated in Annex IV
of  the  present  programme.  The  fellows  will  subsequently  be  selected  by  the  host  institution.  The
Commission will establish detailed criteria, concerning notably qualification and equal access opportunities
to  be  followed  by  the  industry  host  in  the  selection  of  fellows.  Before  a  fellowship  contract  is  offered,  the
selected  fellows  will  have  to  be  confirmed  by  the  Commission.

A  joint  funding  from  the  Community  and  the  host  institution  will  enable  the  host  institution  to  finance
postgraduates  and  young  researchers  with  the  necessary  research  experience.

Marie  Curie  Development  Host  Fellowships

The host institutions will be selected by the Commission on the basis of the criteria stipulated in Annex IV
of  the  present  programme.  The  fellows  will  subsequently  be  selected  by  the  host  institution.  The
Commission will establish detailed criteria, concerning notably qualification and equal access opportunities
to  be  followed  by  the  host  in  the  selection  of  fellows.  Before  a  fellowship  contract  is  offered,  the  selected
fellows  will  have  to  be  confirmed  by  the  Commission.

Community funding will enable the host institution to finance young researchers with the necessary research
experience.

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Marie  Curie  Experienced  Researchers  Fellowship

The application for an experienced researcher fellowship will be made by the fellow in conjunction with the
host institution. The experienced researchers will be selected by the Commission on the basis of the criteria
stipulated  in  Annex  IV  of  the  present  programme.

Community  funding  will  enable  the  host  institution  to  finance  an  experienced  researcher.

Stays  at  Marie  Curie  Training  Sites

A  training  site  is  a  clearly  identifiable  part  of  a  research  organisation,  such  as  a  research  group  or
interrelated  research  groups.  The  training  site  must  be  internationally  recognised  within  its  respective  field
and  have  proven  experience  of  international  doctoral  training.  In  addition,  organisers  of  international
doctoral studies, in the framework of a formal collaboration between participating organisations in different
countries having the form of certain common requirements for achieving the doctoral degree, are considered
possible  training  sites.

The training sites will be selected by the Commission on the basis of the criteria stipulated in Annex IV of
the  present  programme.  The  young  researchers  will  subsequently  be  selected  by  the  training  site.  The
Commission will establish detailed criteria, concerning notably qualification and equal access opportunities
to  be  followed  by  the  training  site  in  the  selection  of  fellows.  Before  a  fellowship  contract  is  offered,  the
selected  fellows  will  have  to  be  confirmed  by  the  Commission.

The young researchers must be pursuing doctoral studies in a country other than that of the host institution
in  a  subject  area  similar  to  that  of  the  training  site.  They  must  undertake  the  period  of  training  at  the
training  site  as  an  integral  part  of  their  doctoral  studies.

Community  funding  will  enable  the  training  site  to  finance  short  stays  for  the  young  researchers  of  a
maximum  duration  of  an  academic  year.

ENHANCING  ACCESS  TO  RESEARCH  INFRASTRUCTURES

Transnational  Access  to  Major  Research  Infrastructures

Participants in this line will be legal entities which operate major research infrastructure. Financial support
to  international  organisations  operating  major  research  infrastructure  in  the  Member  States  or  Associated
States  will  be  provided  only  for  those  services  that  are  complementary  to  the  mission  of  the  organisation
concerned.

Community  funding  is  intended  to  covert  100 %  of  the  travel  and  subsistence  costs  of  visits  to  the
infrastructure by teams of researchers working in Member States and Associated States other than the state
where  the  owner  and  operator  of  the  facility  is  located.  However,  only  researchers  within  these  teams  of
researchers who are either nationals of or residents in the Member States and the Associated States will have
their  travel  and  subsistence  costs  reimbursed.  Community  funding  will  also  cover  up  to  100 %  of  the
additional  eligible  costs  of  providing  teams  of  researchers  with  access  to  the  infrastructure;  such  costs  will
be calculated either on the basis of a unit user fee to be negotiated with each infrastructure operator and to
be  derived  from  its  direct  operating  costs,  or  on  the  basis  of  the  actual  additional  costs  connected  with
making the facility available to the visiting teams of researchers. Eligible costs will exclude all contributions
to  capital  costs.

Infrastructure  cooperation  networks

Infrastructure  cooperation  networks  will  be  implemented  as  thematic  networks.  Each  network  will  contain
at  least  three  non-affiliated  legal  entities  which  operate  research  infrastructure  from  at  least  three  different
countries  of  the  Member  States  and  Associated  States  and  will  be  co-ordinated  by  a  legal  entity  which
operates  a  research  infrastructure.

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Research  infrastructure  RTD  projects

RTD projects will contain at least two non-affiliated legal entities which operate research infrastructure in at
least  two countries of the Member States and Associated States. The project will be coordinated by a legal
entity  which  operates  a  research  infrastructure.

Concerted  actions

The  Commission  may  initiate,  in  conjunction  with  legal  entities  which  operate  research  infrastructure  and
are  contractors  under  this  Programme  (or  under  the  earlier  Training  and  Mobility  of  Researchers
Programme), concerted actions, to encourage the exchange of information between infrastructure operators
and  researchers  from  Member  States  or  Associated  States  on  subjects  of  common  interest,  complementing
national  and  international  efforts.

PROMOTING  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNOLOGICAL  EXCELLENCE

High-level  scientific  conferences

Participants  in  this  line  will  be  legal  entities  from  all  fields  of  scientific  endeavour  who  wish  to  organise  a
scientific  conference,  involving  researchers  from  a  cross-section  of  the  respective  scientific  community.

Community  funding  is  intended  to  contribute  to  organisational  costs,  to  the  participation  of  speakers  or
teaching staff and to cover up to 100 % of expenses related to the participation of young researchers in the
selected  event.  Support  will  also  be  made  available  to  facilitate  the  participation  of  researchers  who  are
nationals of one of the Member States and Associated States and who at the time of the event are active in
laboratories  or  institutions  outside  Member  States  or  Associated  States.

Distinctions  for  high-level  research  work

Participants  in  the  ‘Descartes  Prize’  will  be  legal  entities  who  have  obtained  outstanding  scientific  and
technological  achievements  resulting  from  European  cooperation,  in  particular  from  cooperative  projects
supported  under  Community  framework  programmes.

Participants  in  the  Award  for  undergraduate  students  of  higher  education  institutions  and  in  the  European
Union  Contest  for  Young  Scientists  will  be  legal  entities.  Young  people  may  participate  on  an  individual
basis  provided  that  projects  have  been  preselected  under  the  respective  national  schemes.

Community  funding  will  cover  up  to  100 %  of  costs  related  to  the  preparation  and  organisation  of
appropriate selection procedures, including the awarding or monetary prizes or equivalent recognition to the
most  deserving  participants.

2. ACCOMPANYING  MEASURES

Accompanying  measures  will  primarily  consist  of:

—  studies  in  support  of  this  programme  and  in  preparation  for  future  activities,  including  on  strategic

issues  arising  in  the  course  of  the  programme;

—  exchanges  of  information,  conferences,  seminars,  workshops,  round  tables,  study  panels  or  other

scientific  or  technical  meetings;

—  use  of  external  expertise  for,  inter  alia,  the  purpose  of  the  monitoring  of  the  specific  programme  as
foreseen  in  Article  5(1)  of  the  fifth  framework  programme,  the  external  assessment  of  the  action
foreseen  in  Article  5(2)  of  the  fifth  framework  programme,  the  evaluation  of  proposed  indirect  RTD
actions,  or  the  monitoring  of  their  implementation;

—  information,  communication  and  dissemination  activities,  including  scientific  publications  and  activities

for  the  promotion  and  exploitation  of  results  and  the  transfer  of  technology;

—  the  promotion  of  the  identity  and  prestige  of  Marie  Curie  fellows,  especially  through  the  Marie  Curie

Fellowship Association;

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—  support in order to bring together potential participants for the purpose of elaborating a detailed work
plan for a research proposal, in particular as a means of stimulating proposals in newly emerging fields
of  science  and  technology  or  in  novel  transdisciplinary  approaches,  or  in  fields  where  there  is  little
history  of  transnational  cooperation;

—  support  for  awareness-raising  activities  and  assisting  research  players,  including  SMEs.

3. COORDINATION  ARRANGEMENTS

The  Commission  will  endeavour  to  ensure  complementarity  between  the  indirect  RTD  actions  within  the
programme,  in  particular  by  grouping  them  around  a  common  objective,  and  to  avoid  duplication,  while
respecting  the  legitimate  interests  of  proposers  of  indirect  RTD  actions.

Coordination  will  also  be  ensured  between  actions  under  the  specific  programme  and  those  carried  out
in:

—  other  specific  programmes  implementing  the  fifth  framework  programme,

—  the research and training programmes implementing Council Decision . . ./. . ./Euratom of . . . concerning
the fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for research and
training  activities  (1998-2002),

—  other  European  research  frameworks  such  as  Eureka  and  COST,

—  other  Community  research-related  instruments  such  as  PHARE,  TACIS,  MEDA,  the  EIF,  the  Structural

Funds,  the  EIB  and  programmes  in  the  field  of  education,  training  and  youth.

It  will  comprise:

(i)  the  identification  of  common  themes  or  priorities,  resulting  in  particular  in:

—  the  exchange  of  information,

—  the carrying out of work decided upon jointly, entailing in particular the joint initiation of one of the

procedures  referred  to  in  Article  9  of  the  rules  for  participation  and  dissemination,

(ii) the  reassignment  of  proposals  for  indirect  RTD  actions  between  specific  programmes  or  between  a

specific  programme  and  a  research  and  training  programme.

ANNEX  IV

SELECTION  CRITERIA  FOR  THE  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE  PROGRAMME

The  specific  selection  criteria  for  certain  parts  of  this  programme,  which  supplement  those  referred  to  in
Article  3,  are  the  following:

SUPPORTING  THE  TRAINING  AND  MOBILITY  OF  RESEARCHERS

Research  training  networks

Networks will be selected on the basis of the scientific merit of the collaborative research project on which
the  network  is  based  and  the  quality  and  content  of  the  network’s  training  programme.  Networks

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promoting  interactions  between  different  disciplines  and  those  containing  complementary  teams  as  well  as
those  involving  meaningful  connections  with  industry  will  be  preferred  over  networks  of  otherwise  equal
merit,  where  these  features  are  exploited  in  the  network’s  training  programme.

System  of  Marie  Curie  Fellowships

Marie  curie  Individual  Fellowships

The selection criteria will include the research experience and the aptitude of the candidate, the impact and
benefit of the training for the candidate, the research quality of the hosting research group, the ability of the
host to meet the specific research training needs of the candidate, and the scientific and technological quality
and  relevance  of  the  project.

For  return  fellowships,  the  selection  criteria  will  include  the  results  and  research  experience  gained  by  the
candidate  during  the  initial  fellowship,  and  the  benefit  to  the  new  hosting  research  group.

Marie  Curie  Industry  Host  Fellowships

The  host  institutions  will  be  selected  by  the  Commission.  The  fellows  will  subsequently  be  selected  by  the
host institution. The Commission will establish detailed criteria, concerning notably qualification and equal
access  opportunities,  to  be  followed  by  the  industry  host  in  the  selection  of  fellows.  Before  a  fellowship
contract  is  offered,  the  selected  fellows  will  have  to  be  confirmed  by  the  Commission.

The  selection  criteria  will  include  the  research  quality  of  the  host,  the  ability  to  provide  adequate  training,
supervision  arrangements  and  research  facilities  for  the  fellow,  collaborative  arrangements  with  other
research  organisations,  and  the  scientific  and  technological  quality  and  relevance  of  the  proposed  research
area.

The  fellows  will  be  selected  by  the  host  on  the  basis  of  their  scientific  ability  and  on  the  compatibility  of
their  research  experience  with  the  proposed  research  area.

Marie  Curie  Development  Host  Fellowships

The  host  institutions  will  be  selected  by  the  Commission.  The  fellows  will  subsequently  be  selected  by  the
host institution. The Commission will establish detailed criteria, concerning notably qualification and equal
access opportunities to be followed by the development host in the selection of fellows. Before a fellowship
contract  is  offered,  the  selected  fellows  will  have  to  be  confirmed  by  the  Commission.

The  selection  criteria  will  include  the  relevance  and  impact  of  the  competence  which  is  sought,  the
compatibility  of  the  new  competence  with  the  existing  competence  of  the  host,  the  appropriate  size  of  the
hosting research group in order to allow adequate working conditions for the fellows, and the international
nature  of  the  research  activities  of  the  hosting  research  group.

The  fellows  will  be  selected  by  the  host  on  the  basis  of  their  scientific  ability  and  on  the  compatibility  of
their  research  experience  with  the  needs  of  the  host.

Marie  Curie  Experienced  Researchers  Fellowships

The  selection  criteria  will  include  the  scientific  excellence  of  the  candidate,  the  scientific  and  technological
quality and relevance of the project, and the relevance, impact and benefit of the fellowship for the parties
involved.

Stays  at  Marie  Curie  training  Sites

The  training  sites  will  be  selected  by  the  Commission.  The  young  researchers  will  subsequently  be  selected
by  the  training  site.  The  Commission  will  establish  detailed  criteria,  concerning  notably  qualification  and
equal access opportunities to be followed by the training site in the selection of fellows. Before a fellowship
contract  is  offered,  the  selected  fellows  will  have  to  be  confirmed  by  the  Commission.

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The  selection  criteria  will  include  the  research  quality  of  the  training  site,  the  ability  of  the  training  site  to
provide research training, the evidence of past successful international doctoral training, and the appropriate
size  of  the  training  site  in  order  to  allow  adequate  working  conditions  for  the  young  researchers.

The young researchers will be selected by the training site on the basis of their scientific ability and on the
suitability  of  the  training  site  for  their  particular  doctoral  studies.

ENHANCING  ACCESS  TO  RESEARCH  INFRASTRUCTURES

Transnational  access  to  major  research  infrastructures

The criteria for selecting infrastructure to be supported will be the quality of the infrastructure, the quality
of  the  research  that  external  users  are  able  to  conduct  there,  the  quality  of  the  scientific,  technical  and
logistic  support  provided  for  these  external  users,  the  scale  of  interest  being  demonstrated  by  new
transnational  users  coming  from  countries  where  no  similar  infrastructure  exists,  and  the  cost-effectiveness
of  Community  support.

Infrastructure  cooperation  networks

Networks  will  be  selected  on  the  basis  of  their  potential  to  enhance  the  access  to  and  the  service  provided
by  research  infrastructures  that  have  a  Community-wide  interest  and  on  the  basis  of  the  ability  of  the
participant  to  provide  an  effective  coordination  of  the  network’s  activities.

Research  infrastructure  RTD  projects

RTD  projects  will  be  selected  on  the  basis  of  the  scientific  originality  of  the  project,  the  quality  of  its
research method and work plan, the potential of the project to improve infrastructure provision in Europe,
and  the  degree  of  interest  shown  generally  by  infrastructure  operators  in  the  field  and  by  the  user
community.

PROMOTING  SCIENTIFIC  AND  TECHNOLOGICAL  EXCELLENCE

High-level  scientific  conferences

The criteria for the selection of scientific meetings to be supported will be the interest of the proposed topic
for  a  wider  scientific  community,  the  quality  of  the  proposed  conference  programme  and  its  relevance  for
the  training  of  the  younger  generation  of  European  researchers.

Distinctions  for  high-level  research  work

Distinctions  will  be  awarded  on  the  basis  of  the  scientific  quality  and  the  relevance  of  presented  projects.
Age  and  scientific  background  of  participants  will  duly  be  taken  into  consideration.

Raising  public  awareness

To  qualify  for  Community  support  projects  need  to  address  an  issue  of  broader  European  interest  and
involve  high  quality  interaction  between  scientists  and  science  communicators  for  the  benefit  of  European
citizens.  preference  will  be  given  to  projects  and  initiatives  involving  at  least  three  non-affiliated  partners
from  at  least  three  different  Member  States  or  Associated  States.  Other  projects  may  qualify  for  support  if
they  promise  to  produce  transferable  results  that  could  be  used  by  actors  not  involved  in  the  respective
project.