Research and technological development activities of the European Union - 1998 Annual Report
Date: 1998-07-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU research policy, activity report, applied research, research and development, technological change

rt'  *-v« W%-.> 

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 15.07.1998 
COM( 1998)'439 final 

RESEARCH AND 

TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT 

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 

1998 ANNUAL REPORT 

(Presented by the Commission) 

SUMMARY 

This  Annual  Report  of  the  Commission  on  research  activities  in  1997  provides  an  overview  of 
developments  regarding  Community  research  policy  and  the  implementation  of  research  during  the 
year.  It  aims to  provide  information  which  is of interest  to  researchers  and  research  organisations, 
industrial  enterprises,  research  policy  specialists  and  politicians  with  an  interest  in  the  Community 
programmes, as well as. to the European Parliament  and Council of Ministers1. 

In order to take account  of the progressive refinement  of the data available on the implementation of 
Community  research  programmes,  and  to  accommodate  feedback  on  previous  reports,  in  particular 
from  the European  Parliament  and  the  Scientific  and  Technical  Research  Committee  (CREST),  the 
presentation  of this latest  Annual Report  has been further  modified  in comparison  with  earlier years. 
To facilitate  reference  and comparisons, its overall structure nevertheless has been  standardised.  The 
report  itself gives  a  synopsis  of the  main  activities  during  1997  (extending  into  1998  in  some  areas 
where  important  actions  or  decisions were taken).  Annex  1 gives  more  detailed  information  on the 
implementation  of  each  of  the  specific  programmes  of  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme,  and 
examples  of  projects  supported.  Annex  2  provides  statistical  information  on  contracts  signed,  on 
proposals  and  on  funding.  Annex  3  contains  a  list  of  complementary  sources  of  information  on 
Community Research (see note  overleaf). 

1997 was  a pivotal  year in the development  of Community  research  policy.  The  Amsterdam  Treaty 
modified  the  legal  base  for  research  which,  when  ratified,  will  eliminate  the  requirement  for 
unanimous  voting  in  Council,  thus  streamlining  decision  making  and  bringing  research  in  line with 
other  policy  areas  where  a  co-decision  of  EP  and  Council  is  required.  Agenda  2000  -  the 
Commission's  strategy  for  addressing  enlargement  and  the  challenges  of  the  future  -  also  gave an 
important  boost  for  research,  emphasising  the  key  role  for  knowledge-based  policies.  The 
Commission  presented  its formal  proposals  for  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  which  represent  a 
significant  departure  from  earlier  programmes  in  the  direction  of  a  more  strategic,  focused  and 
integrated  set of activities designed to further  improve the impact of Community  funding. 

* ** 

Implementation  of  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme  continued  at  a  similar  level  to  1996,  with 
nearly  24000  proposals  received  and  evaluated  across  all  the  specific  programmes,  6000  contracts 
signed  and ECU  3 000 million of Community  funds  attributed  to  research  projects,  involving  24000 
participants.  Cumulatively,  more  than  15000  research  projects  had  been  established  under  the 
Fourth  Framework  Programme  by  the  end  of  1997,  amounting  to  ECU  8  200  million  in  signed 
contracts,  with  10000  projects  ongoing.  Strong  growth  has  been  achieved  in  the  level  of 
participation  of  SMEs  (24%  of  total  participants  in  1997  as  compared  to  18%  in  1996)  and  the 
budgetary  contribution  they  receive  (16%  of  total  budgetary  contributions  in  1997  against  13% in 
1996),  largely  through  the  success  of  stimulation  measures  (cooperative  research  and  exploratory 
awards) and take up actions (for  information  technologies). 

* ** 

i  Article  130P  of  the  EC  Treaty  and  the  Framework  Programme  Decisions  (EC  and  Euratom)  require  the 

Commission to send a report each year to the European Parliament and Council. 

The Fifth  Framework  Programme  was  again the main focus  for  policy  developments  during  the year, 
with  the  presentation  of  the  Commission's  formal  proposal  in  April  1997.  The  first  reading  of  the 
proposal  by the European Parliament  took  place  in December  1997,  followed  by  a modified  proposal 
from  the  Commission  in January  1998  and  the  Common  Position  of  Council  in March.  The  ground 
is thus  prepared  for  a Decision  on  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  and  the  specific  programmes  to 
implement  it  by  the  end  of  1998,  allowing  continuity  of  funding  to  be  maintained  beyond  the 
termination  of the Fourth Framework  Programme  in  1998. 

A  decision  was  reached  during  the  year  1997  on  the  Commission's  proposal  for  supplementary 
funding  of the Fourth  Framework  Programme,  presented  early  in  1996.  This  resulted  in  an  increase 
of  funding  of  ECU  115  million  for  a  number  of  specific  research  areas  including  transmissible 
spongiform  encephalopathies  (TSE).  Concrete  progress was  also  achieved  in implementing  the First 
Action Plan for  Innovation  in Europe,  which  includes  a wide  range  of measures  designed  to  improve 
the climate for innovation  in Europe. 

Considerable  attention  was  given  to  programme  management  during  the  year,  and  into  1998. 
Besides  the  efforts  towards  progressive  improvement  of  management  performance  and  quality, 
significant  advances  were  made  in the  evolution  and further  development  of  management  systems  to 
reflect  fully the new  principles of focus,  coordination  and flexibility  in the  implementation  of the  Fifth 
Framework  Programme. 

NOTE 

Extensive information is available on EU research through regular complementary reports relating 
to  different  aspects  of  research  activities.  In  addition  to  the  present  Report,  which  is  issued 
annually,  the  following  main  types  of  documents  are  published  by  the  European  Commission 
which together provide a very comprehensive picture: 

-  Annual Monitoring  Reports,  for  the  Framework  Programme  and  the  Specific  Programmes, 
independent  feedback  on  the  state  and  quality  of  programme 

which  provide  rapid, 
implementation. 

-  Five-year  Assessment  Reports,  issued  every  fourth  year,  both  for  the  Framework  and  the 
Specific  Programmes,  which  present  an  independent  retrospective  evaluation  on the  relevance, 
efficiency,  effectiveness,  results and impact of the EU RTD programmes. 

-  The European Report on Science and  Technology Indicators,  the second edition of which was 
issued  in  December  1997  and  which  gives  data  and  comparative  analyses  on  European  and 
national RTD in the world context. 

-  Research  and  development:  annual  statistics,  a  Eurostat  report  issued  each  year,  which 
provides  extensive  data  on  Community  and  national  R&D  expenditures,  R&D  personnel  and 
patents 

-  The  Commission's  main  annual  budgetary  documents  i.e.  the  preliminary  draft  budget,  the 

budget and the consolidated revenue and expenditure account and balance sheet. 

-  Various  studies  and  analyses  conducted  and  published  on  the  initiative  of  the  research 

programmes and which address issues specific to the RTD domains they cover. 

The main documents are listed in Annex III. 

*  *  * 

CONTENTS 

THE COMMUNITY'S RTD POLICY IN 1997 -1998 

1.  NEW  DEVELOPMENTS  IN RESEARCH  POLICY 

1.1. The context  of the RTD policy 
1.2.  Preparation  of the Fifth  Framework  Programme 
1.3. Implementation  of the First  Action Plan for Innovation  in Europe 

2  OTHER  MAIN ASPECTS  OF COMMUNITY  RESEARCH  POLICY  IN 

1997-1998 
2.1.  Supplementary  financing  for the Fourth Framework  Programme 
2.2.  CREST  and coordination  between  Community policies and national 

policies 

2.3.  Advisory Committees 
2.4.  Economic and social cohesion 
International  cooperation 
2.5. 

3.  RESEARCH  ACTIVITIES  IN  1997 AND IMPLEMENTATION  OF THE 

Issues and scientific  and technical  results 

FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMMES 
3.1. 
3.2.  Monitoring  of the framework  programmes 
3.3.  Contracts  signed  and payments made in  1997: Annual basis and 

3.4. 

framework  programmes 
Implementation  of the framework  programmes and objectives  of European 
research  policy 
3.4.1. 
3.4.2.  Technology  stimulation  measures for  SME access to RTD 
Contribution  of Community  research to the development  of 
3.4.3 
the European  economy 

Industrial  participation 

4  MANAGEMENT  OF RESEARCH 

ANNEX  I: RTD ACTIVITIES  IN  1997 AND WORK  PROGRAMMES 

FOR  1998 

ANNEX  II:  STATISTICAL AND  FINANCIAL  DATA: ANNUAL BASIS 
1997 AND FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMMES 

ANNEX  III:  MAIN  REPORTS  RELATING  TO COMMUNITY  RESEARCH 

ACTIVITIES 

LIST OF MAIN ACRONYMS  AND ABBREVIATIONS  USED 

1 
1 
2 
5 

6 
6 

7 
8 
10 
12 

13 
14 
15 

15 

16 
16 
17 

18 

19 

21 

71 

92 

93 

THE  COMMUNITY'S RTD POLICY IN 1997-1998 

The research  and technological  development  (RTD)  policy of the European  Union aims to 
strengthen  Europe's  scientific  and  technological  base  and  thus  to  contribute  to  the 
development  of the  competitiveness  of  European  industry  and  to  promote  the  quality  of 
life  of Europe's  citizens.  EU RTD  policy  complements  Member  States' national  research 
efforts  and  supports  other  Union  policies  such  as  in  agriculture,  economic  and  social 
cohesion, transport,  environment,  health,  education,  energy, etc. 

The  European  Union's  RTD  policy  is  implemented  by  means  of  specific  research 
programmes  which  associate  companies  -  including  SMEs  -  universities  and  research 
centres  from  various European  countries  in joint  research  projects.  The  research  themes 
covered  by  EU  RTD  are  defined  in  multiannual  Framework  Programmes.  The  current 
Framework  Programme  (1994-1998)  has  a  total  budget  of  ECU  13  215  million:  ECU 
11 879 million for  the Fourth  EC Framework  Programme  and  ECU  1336  million for  the 
Euratom Framework Programme (see Annex II, table 9). 

The  Joint  Research  Centre  (IRC),  with  its  seven  institutes,  is  the  Community's  own 
research  centre  which  contributes  to  the  implementation  of  the  Framework  Programmes 
by carrying  out  research  directly,  and  provides  scientific  support  for  other Union policies. 
A separate  annual  report  of the JRC  for  1997  is available  (a brief summary  is included  in 
Annex 1). 

1.  NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN RESEARCH  POLICY 

1.1. 

THE  CONTEXT  OF RTD  POLICY 

1997 was a year  in which the role of research  within  the overall  political  objectives  of the 
Community  was  substantially  advanced.  Two  major  political  developments  of  the  year 
were  the  finalisation  of  the  Amsterdam  Treaty  and  Agenda  2000,  the  Commission's 
proposals  for  the  future  institutional  and  financial  development  of the  Community.  Both 
confirmed  the  need  to  attack  major  issues  such  as  employment,  competitiveness  and 
sustainability,  by further  developing  the  Community  as  a  society  founded  on  knowledge, 
and to build a Europe which is closer to its citizens. 

The  Amsterdam  treaty  signalled  a  true  maturity  in  research  policy  by  removing  the 
requirement  in the co-decision  process  of unanimous voting  in Council, thus bringing it in 
line with other policy areas, such as Single Market  policy.  This show of confidence  in the 
European  acquis  should  bring  a  more  balanced  debate  and  speed  decision-making  in the 
negotiation  of future  Framework  Programmes. 

Agenda  2000  provides  a  strategy  for  addressing  the  far-reaching  changes  -  geopolitical, 
demographic,  environmental,  technological  and  economic  -  which  Europe  is  facing,  and 
which  will  open  new  political  and  economic  horizons  in  the  next  century.  Achieving 
sustainable  growth  and  employment,  within  an inclusive  society with  a high  quality  of  life 
requires  dynamic  enterprises  and  skilled  and  knowledgeable  citizens.  Thus  knowledge 
policies  -  research,  innovation,  education  and  training  -  are  of  decisive  importance,  and 
must  be properly  resourced  and  effectively  targeted  to  get  the very best  value  for  Europe 

as  a  whole.  Agenda  2000  recommends  that,  within  a  more  constrained  budgetary 
framework,  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  should  be  given  a  somewhat  increased 
financial  allocation above the level of the current programme. 

1.2.  PREPARATION OF THE FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 

1997 was also a pivotal year in the development  of research policy,  with the Commission 
presenting  its  formal  proposals  for  the  Fifth  Framework  and  rules  for  participation  and 
dissemination  (Article  130j  Decision),  as  well  as  a  working  document  on  the  detailed 
content  of  the  Framework  Programme.  The  ground  is  therefore  prepared  for  the 
decisions  which  are  needed  before  the  end  of  1998  to  secure  continuity  of  research 
funding  in  1999.  Proposals  were  put  forward  by the  Commission  in June  1998  for the 
specific  programmes  concerning  the  EC2  and  Euratom3  Framework  Programmes,  and 
including the Joint Research Centre. 

The FP5 proposal 

The  Commission  presented  its  proposal  for  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  in  April 
1997*.  It  represented  a  significant  departure  from  earlier  programmes,  in  line  with the 
orientations  given  in  earlier  working  documents,  which  were  the  subject  of  extensive 
consultation,  and from which a general  consensus  emerged.  Research was  structured in 
six  programmes  -  three  thematic  programmes  and  three  horizontal  programmes  -  and 
followed  a highly targeted  and integrated  approach  encompassing  both EC  and Euratom 
programmes,  allowing  significantly  greater flexibility in implementation.  The criteria for 
selecting research themes were set out and included social and economic relevance as well 
as high European added value. 

The  proposal  predated  the  Commission's  forecast  of  the  economic  outlook  and  its 
proposals for  the  development  of the  overall  Community  budget  for  the  years 2000 and 
beyond.  These  were  presented  in  July  1997,  in  the  context  of  Agenda  2000,  and  a 
modified  proposal was put forward  at that time5.  This proposal  set out an overall budget 
corresponding to the political  objectives  and financial perspective  given  in Agenda 2000, 
and providing  for  an increase  in funds,  in comparison  with FP4 to  ECU  16  300 million, 
which represents a constant percentage of GDP plus 3%. 

Parliament's  first  reading  on  18  December  1997  supported  the  transition  to  a  more 
strategic  and focused  Framework  Programme,  addressing  major European  concerns, and 
involving  integrated  research  actions  in  a  small  number  of  large  thematic  programmes. 

2  COM (98) 305, adopted by the Commission on 10.06.1998. 

3  COM (98) 306, adopted by the Commission on 10.06.1998. 

4  Proposal  for  a  European  Parliament  and  Council  Decision  concerning  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration 
activities (1998-2002); Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Fifth  Framework Programme 
of the  European  Atomic Energy  Community  (Euratom)  for  research  and  training  activities (1998-
2002). COM(97) 142. 

5  COM(97) 439 final, 11.08.1997. 

This was  also  welcomed  by the Economic  and  Social  Committee6,  and  the  Committee  of 
the Regions7.  Parliament  proposed  an increase  in the budget  to ECU  16 700 million, and 
a  number  of changes  to  the  structure,  increasing  the  number  of  thematic  programmes  to 
four  and  bringing  energy  and  environment  research  together  in  a  separate  programme. 
Changes were also made to the research  content. 

Following  Parliament's  first  reading,  the  Commission  modified  its  proposal  in  two  major 
respects. 
In  the  first  place  it  took  up  a  number  of  Parliamentary  amendments  to  the 
research  content8  that  represented  an improvement  of the proposal.  Second,  it  proposed 
moving  to  a  structure  involving  four  thematic  programmes,  thus  responding  to  the 
substantive  concerns  of  Parliament  on  the  distribution  of  research  activities  but  at  the 
same  time  maintaining  an  integrated  approach,  focused  on  socio-economic  objectives, 
which  was  consistent  with  the  original  political  intent.  The  modified  proposal,  presented 
on  14 January  1998, retained the original budget  of ECU  16 300 million. 

Following a first examination  of the proposal  on  15 May and  a more substantial  debate on 
10  November  1997,  which  benefited  from  CREST's  advice  on  the  scientific  and 
technological  content, the Research Council  came to a common  position,  at  its meeting on 
12  February  1998,  which  was  formally  adopted  on  23  March.  This  confirmed  a  four 
programme  structure  and  developed  the  research  content  in  a  manner  which,  with  a 
number  of exceptions, was broadly convergent  with the position  of the Parliament  and the 
Commission's  modified  proposal.  However, 
the 
Commission's  proposal  in setting  out  an overall  budget  of ECU  14 000 million.9,  a figure 
which  would  fall  well  short  of the  allocation  for  the Fourth  Framework  Programme  once 
account  is taken  of inflation.  Council  also  proposed  that  the  fourth  thematic  programme 
should  give rise to two  committees  concerned  with  environment  and  energy  respectively. 
The  Commission  expressed  its  serious  reservation  on  these  matters  in  its  subsequent 
communication  to Parliament. 

it  diverged  considerably  from 

Consultation on the S/T content of the Fifth Framework Programme 

During the course of  1997, the detailed  content  of the new Framework  Programme began 
to be filled out with the twin  objective  of meeting the political  aims set  out  in the proposal 
and  providing  a  package  of  research  activities  which  corresponded  to  the  proposed 
budget.  Publication  of  the  Framework  Programme  proposal  followed  a  wide  ranging 

6  CES  1407 de  1997, JO C73 09.03.1998  p. 133. 

7  CdR  158/97  fin.  17/18.09.1997. 

Several  additional  key actions were proposed  by Parliament,  on chemical  and  molecular  bases  of  life, 
health  systems,  taking  account  of  ageing  and  the  handicapped,  global  change  and  climate,  social 
changes brought  about by the  introduction  of  new  ICTs,  and  land  and  marine  transport  technologies. 
Moreover,  Parliament  proposed  that  the  key  action  on  advanced  energy  systems  and  services  in  the 
Commission's  proposal  be  broken  down  into  two  key  actions,  dealing  respectively  with  fossil  and 
renewable energies. 

To  avoid  anticipating  a  decision  on  the  financial  perspective  for  the  years  2000+,  the  common 
position  specified  that  this budget  should  be segmented  into the years  1998-1999  and  2000-2002; the 
latter part being the subject  of revision  should  it not be compatible  with  a future  financial  perspective, 
or should  that  financial  perspective  not be decided. 

process of consultation and profited  from a considerable  effort  of analysis, taking account 
also of the many productive outputs of the research/industry task forces. 

Many  contributions  were  received  from  the  various  players  involved  in  European 
research.  By  the  end  of  1997  over  300  contributions  had been  received,  including just 
under  150 from European  associations  and  over  170  from  private  bodies  ;  among  the 
latter 50 were from European industrial and professional  federations.  A conference  on the 
scientific  and  technological  content  of  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  was  held  in 
February  1997,  at  which  comments  were  provided  by  representatives  of  the  research 
community,  industry and users.  This process of consultation was continued by a more in-
depth review,  in July  1997,  of the  prospective  content  of the  specific  programmes,  again 
with the help of the constituencies concerned.  Advice was also provided by the  Scientific 
and  Technical  Research  Committee  (CREST)  and  by  the  Commission's  advisory  bodies 
IRDAC and ESTA (see section 2). 

A working  paper on the  proposed  content  of the  specific  programmes  was  presented  in 
November  199710.  Updated  and  modified  in  the  light  of  comments  received  and 
developments in the programme structure signalled during the first readings by Parliament 
and Council, this forms the basis of the S/T content  of the Commission's proposals  on the 
specific programmes. 

Preparations for implementation 

Alongside the preparation and negotiation of the Framework Programme proposal  and the 
development  of  its  detailed  content,  the  Commission  commenced  preparations  for  its 
implementation,  these being  of  particular  importance  given the need to  adapt  to  the  new 
approach.  These involved, in particular: 

•  The rules for  participation  and  dissemination, on which  the  Commission  adopted  its 
formal  proposal  on  15  December  199711.  Consistent  with  their  key  role  in  the 
administration  of  the  Framework  Programme,  they  contain  several  innovations  with 
respect to earlier programmes.  For the first time a complete,  coherent and transparent 
set  of  rules  will  be  applied  consistently  across  all  the  specific  programmes, 
supplemented  as  required  by  a  minimal  number  of  specific  rules  adapted  to  each 
programme.  The  rules  for  dissemination  and  exploitation  will  normally  vary 
accordingly to the rate of Community financing,  reflected by the distance of the project 
to  the  market.  A  more  flexible  regime  will  apply  to  intellectual  property rights, 
allowing the contractors to negotiate  specific  agreements, notably concerning exclusive 
rights,  in  compliance  with  the  applicable  rules  on  competition.  This  will  be 
complemented  by  a more  stringent  monitoring  of  the  commitment  to  exploit  results, 
with a strengthened role of the technology implementation plan. 

10  COM(97) 553 final, 05.11.1997. 

11  Proposal for a Council Decision  concerning the rules for the participation  of undertakings,  research 
centres and  universities and  for  the dissemination  of research  results for  the implementation  of the 
Fifth  Framework  Programme  of  the  European  Community  (1998-2002);  Proposal  for  a  Council 
Decision concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities 
and  for  the  implementation  of  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  of  the  European  Atomic  Energy 
Community  (1998-2002);  COM(97)  587,  15.12.1997.  NB, in  the case of the Euratom  Framework 
Programme, the rules for dissemination are stated in the Euratom Treaty itself. 

4 

•  Development  of practical  arrangements  for  programme  implementation  which  are 
compatible  with  the  new  approach  for  FP5  and  which  provide  for  more  general 
improvements  in  management  efficiency,  matters  which  were  raised  in  successive 
research  Councils.  The new  structure  of FP5  will  open  the  possibility  of  streamlining 
and  improving  the  process  of  consultation  with  industry,  the  science  base  and  users, 
through  mechanisms  which  are  consistently  applied  across  the  programme.  The 
Commission's  initial  ideas  on  this  matter  were  discussed  informally  with  ministers' 
personal  representatives  towards  the  end  of  1997.  Work  was  also  done  to  take 
forward  the  conclusions  of  the  June  1996  seminar  on  management  of  research 
programmes  in developing  the  operational  aspects  of the  new Framework  Programme 
(see also section 4). 

1.3. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST ACTION PLAN FOR INNOVATION IN EUROPE 

Work  continued  during  1997 ir; taking forward  the  objectives  of the First  Action  Plan  for 
Innovation, by putting into place a series of coordinated  initiatives.  Mobilising the various 
services  concerned  (Innovation,  Internal  Market,  SMEs,  Industry,  Education  and 
Training,  Research  and  Development),  the  Commission's  activities  in  this  first  phase 
focused  mainly on 5 areas: 

•  Protection  of intellectual property : on 24 June  1997 the Commission  adopted  a Green 
Paper  on the Community  patent  and the  patent  system  in Europe  designed  to  launch a 
debate  leading  to  practical  proposals  to  simplify  the  patent  system  while  making  it 
more efficient  and less expensive.  To make those involved in innovation  aware of what 
is at  stake in the protection  of intellectual  property,  the Commission  is also  setting up, 
under the Innovation Programme, an assistance and  information  service for  participants 
in Community  research  programmes.  Lastly,  progress  has  been  made  with  protecting 
innovations  in  rapidly  expanding  sectors  such  as  biotechnology:  with  regard  to 
biotechnological  inventions,  the  Commission  has put  forward  a revised  draft  Directive 
which  was  endorsed  by  the  European  Parliament  and  agreed  upon  by  the  November 
1997 Internal Market Council. 

•  Innovation  financing:  particular  attention  was  paid  to  the  mobilisation  of  private 
capital  for  this  purpose,  in order  to  help  Europe  catch  up  in this  area  of  fundamental 
importance to innovation.  The Research  Council  of  10 November  1997 recognised  the 
legitimacy of Community action  in this connection,  and the need for  an approach  under 
the  Framework  Programme  allowing  better  account  to  be  taken  of  aspects  linked  to 
research  and competitiveness.  In addition,  the  strong backing given by the  Amsterdam 
and  Luxembourg  European  Councils  for  innovation  financing  will  allow  considerable 
resources  (EIB,  EIF,  Community  budget)  to  be  released  for  1998  and  1999,  thus 
enhancing  Europe's  capacity  to  provide  equity  finance  for  innovative  high-tech 
businesses.12  Other  initiatives  supplementing  these  measures  include:  investment 
forums  for  the  various  programmes;  setting  up  of  an  assistance  and  guidance  service 
and  a  performance  benchmarking  system  at  European  level  in  the  field  of  innovation 
financing. 

12  The  measures  taken  are  intended  mainly  to  channel  capital  (especially  venture  capital)  more 
effectively  towards  innovative  projects  in  their  early  stages.  The  I-TEC  pilot  project  launched  in 
1997  under  the  Innovation  Programme  is  helping  to  bring  this  about  by enabling  venture  capital 
companies to acquire a lasting ability to assess and manage high-tech projects. 

5 

The  regulatory  framework  and  administrative  simplification:  apart  from  pursuing 
the  SLIM  (Simplified  Legislation  for  the  Internal  Market)  measures  and  promoting 
various forms  of enterprise at European  level (European  company,  EEIG,  proposal  for 
a  statute  for joint  enterprises  in research  and  development),  the  major  initiative  in this 
field is  the  setting  up  of  the  BEST  task  force  with  a  mandate  to  formulate  (for  the 
Cardiff  European  Council  in  June  1998)  specific  proposals  aimed  at  simplifying 
administrative  procedures  and  improving  the quality  of legislation  (both  at  Community 
level and in the Member States). 

Education  and  training:  a  major  effort  was  devoted  to  training  and  education,  in 
particular  with  measures 
("Erasmus  Apprenticeship", 
EUROPASS-Training,  CAMPUS  VOICE  service)  and  to  make  better  use  of 
information  technologies  ("Learning  in  the  information  society"  initiative),  and  pilot 
projects  aimed  at  strengthening  the  innovation  culture  to  complement  projects  to 
exploit  research. 

stimulate  mobility 

to 

• 

Gearing  research  towards  innovation: 
the  preparation  of  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme  enabled  this  priority  to  be  taken  into  account.  The  proposed  Fifth 
Framework  Programme  is  more  focused  (4  thematic  programmes  and  3  horizontal 
programmes)  and  explicitly  includes  innovation  among  the  objectives  of  all  the 
programmes.  Within  the  thematic  programmes,  the  "key  actions"  are  aimed  at 
fostering  the emergence of targeted  industrial applications.  Lastly, the Commission  has 
taken  steps to ensure that the know-how and expertise of the Joint Research  Centre are 
better  exploited. 

At  the  Employment  Summit  on  20  and  21  November  1997,  the  Heads  of  State  and 
Government  solemnly  confirmed  the  need  to  promote  research,  innovation  and  the  spirit 
of enterprise in order to help reduce unemployment  in Europe.  Continued  implementation 
of the  Action  Plan for  Innovation  in  1998 will remain  one  of the  Commission's  priorities, 
in  particular  in  the  fields  of  intellectual  property,  access  to  financing,  administrative 
simplification,  and developing the spirit of enterprise. 

2.  OTHER  MAIN ASPECTS OF COMMUNITY  RESEARCH  POLICY  IN  1997  -

1998 

2.1.  FINANCIAL  SUPPLEMENT FOR THE FOURTH FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMME 

Negotiations on the Commission's January  1996 proposal for  a financial supplement  to the 
Fourth  Framework  Programme  continued 
throughout  1997,  following  a  modified 
proposal  presented  by the Commission  in November  1996 for  a  supplement  of ECU  100 
million.  The  common  position  of  Council,  reached  on  27  January  1997  confirmed  this 
sum,  while  the  European  Parliament,  in  its  second  reading  on  13  March  1997,  voted  5 
amendments,  increasing  the  supplement  to  ECU  200  million.  Rejection  of  these 
amendments  by  Council  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  a  conciliation  committee  which 
met twice, on 9 and 23  September. 

The  outcome  of  conciliation  was  agreement  on  a supplement  of  ECU  115 million,  which 
was officially  confirmed  in a Decision  of Parliament  and  Council  in December  199713.  A 
significant  proportion  of  the  new  funding  is  allocated  to  research  on  transmissible 
spongiform  encephalopathies.  The  increase  of  ECU  15  million  above  the  Commission's 
modified  proposal  (and  Council  common  position)  reflected  an  increase  in  the  allocation 
to  research  on  the  detection  and  destruction  of  landmines,  and  the  introduction  of  an 
additional theme on non-nuclear energy, in view of the Parliament's  preferences. 

2.2.  CREST AND COORDINATION  BETWEEN  COMMUNITY POLICIES AND NATIONAL 

POLICIES: 

In  1997  the  activities  of  CREST  (the  Scientific  and  Technical  Research  Committee)  were 
strongly  influenced  by  the  preparations  for  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme,  resulting  in 
particular  in opinions  on various  Commission  papers  related  to  this,  for  example the  second 
working  paper  on  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme,14  and  the  S/T  content  of  the  formal 
proposal on the Fifth Framework Programme.15 These opinions indicated, among other things, 
that  CREST  shares  the  Commission's  desire  for  a  focusing  of  efforts  and  welcomes  the 
concepts of key actions and generic technologies. 

Other  topics  were  discussed  within  the  Committee,  in  particular  the  coordination  of  RTD 
policies  and  the  assessment  of Community  RTD  activities.  In  the  latter  connection,  CREST 
endorsed  the  five-year  evaluation  and  monitoring  of  the  specific  programmes  and  the 
Framework Programme, and the 1997 Annual Report. 

With  regard  to  coordination  between  Community  policy  and  national  RTD  policies 
(Art.  130H), the  Commission  focused  on the continuation  of the  exchange  of  information 
on  national  RTD  activities  within  the  ad  hoc  Committee  set  up  in  accordance  with  the 
Council  conclusions  of  9  June  1995.  Other  efforts  related  to  indirect  RTD  support 
measures,  research  programming  methods  in  Member  States,  and  European  partnerships 
within the national RTD programmes. 

In  its  initial  conclusions16  on  the  exchange  of  information  on  national  RTD  activities, 
CREST  stressed  the  importance  of  the  work  accomplished  and  the  permanent  nature  of 
the  exercise.  At  a  seminar  with  the  rapporteurs  of  the  ad  hoc  Committees,  organised  by 
the  Commission  in  October  1997,  and  to  which  representatives  of  IRDAC,  ESTA  and 
CREST  were  also  invited,  there was  a fruitful  exchange  of experience  and  best  practices. 
In the  light  of the  results  of this  seminar,  December  1997  CREST  issued  a  second  series 
of  conclusions17  outlining  the  strengths  and  weaknesses  of  the  exercise.  For  example,  it 
was  recognised  that  the  exchange  of  information  results  in  better  knowledge  and  mutual 
understanding  of  national  RTD  activities  and  is a good  way  of  identifying  areas  in which 

13  Decision  No 2535/97/EC of the European  Parliament  and  of the  Council  of  1 December  1997  ; OJ L 

347/1,  18.12.97. 

(COM (97) 47 final; doc  CREST/1202/97) 

(COM (97)  142 final; doc CREST/1214/3/97 rev3) 

(doc CREST/1206/97) 

(doc  CREST/1220/97) 

14 

15 

16 

17 

coordination  could  be  strengthened.  However,  this  activity  imposes  a  heavy  burden  on 
rapporteurs  in  terms  of  the  communication  of  information  on  national  activities  (with 
problems  of  comparability),  and  does  not  always  have  a  sufficiently  high  priority  and 
profile. 

To  remedy  these  weaknesses,  CREST  and  the  Commission  have  specified  the  activities 
devolved  to  the  ad  hoc  Committees,  stressing  that  they  must  be  clearly  targeted  on 
selected  priority areas,  and that a clear  distinction  must be established  between  what  can 
be  done  by the  Committees  themselves,  in  particular  by adapting  the  work  programme, 
and what  must  be  brought  to  the  attention  of  CREST  for  its  opinion  and  future  action. 
The  driving  role  of  the  rapporteurs  and  the  need  to  give  them  increased  support  was 
stressed, as was the need to promote the circulation of the reports and work of the ad hoc 
Committees. 

In the first half  of  1998,  the  Commission  will  be  holding  a  second  workshop  with  the 
rapporteurs  in  order  to  continue  the  exchange  of  views  and  experience  and  ensure  that 
appropriate account  is taken  of CREST's  conclusions.  The Commission  will  analyse the 
1997 annual reports in order to identify  the main messages emerging from the work  of the 
ad  hoc  Committees  and  guidelines  for  the  future,  in  particular  the  adaptation  of  the 
exercise in the  context  of the Fifth  Framework  Programme.  In  1998,  CREST's  activities 
have  continued  to  be  influenced  by the  discussions  on the Fifth  Framework  Programme. 
For example,  at the  beginning  of the year the  Committee  considered  the  S/T  content  of 
the Commission's working paper on the specific programmes (COM(97)553), basing itself 
in particular on the work of the ad hoc workshops set up for this purpose, thus providing 
the  Commission  with  a contribution  that  sheds  light  on  the  S/T  content  of  the  specific 
programmes. Other topics will also be addressed by the Committee in the course of  1998, 
e.g.  the  second  European  Report  on  S/T  Indicators  and  international  cooperation  on 
RTD. The Committee's medium-term work programme will be updated. 

2.3.  ADVISORY  COMMITTEES 

Industrial Research and Development Advisory Committee (IRDAQ 

The  main  topics  addressed  by  IRDAC  were  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  and 
innovation.  IRDAC  presented  its  opinion  of  the  specific  programmes  under  the  Fifth 
Framework Programme to Mrs Cresson at the October  1997 plenary meeting,  and started 
deliberations on the revision  of the  standard  contract,  with a view to the  implementation 
of  the  new  Framework  Programme.  The  Committee  issued  a  report  concerning  the 
participation  and  dissemination  rules  and  will  continue  its  activities  in  this  connection, 
contributing  to  the  preparation  of  the  application  rules  and  the  standard  contract.  In 
addition, the Committee expressed its views on the structure of the programme, its budget 
and the composition of its consultative structures on a number of occasions. 

IRDAC also expressed  its views at length on the subject of innovation and the  conditions 
needed  to  promote  it.  For  example,  the  Committee  presented  its  opinion  on  the  Action 
Plan for  Innovation  and on the legal  and regulative  framework  for  RTD  and innovation. 
Venture capital was the subject of two  reports, one concerning the links between  venture 
capital  and  the  high-technology  sector  and  the  other,  in  preparation,  analysing  the 
measures  taken  by  the  Commission  to  ensure  the  provision  of  venture  capital  for 
Community RTD projects. 

Three  other  IRDAC  reports  were  noteworthy:  the  opinion  on  the  Agreement  for 
Cooperation  on  Science  and  Technology  between  the  EU  and  the  United  States,  the 
proposal  for  a European  system  of  industrial  host  fellowships  in the  context  of  the  Fifth 
Framework  Programme,  and  the  opinion  on  the  management  of  Community  RTD 
programmes.  IRDAC  plans  to  organise  round  tables  on  State  aid  for  RTD,  the  use  of 
"outsourcing"  by  European  industry,  and,  last  but  not  least,  the  Committee's  annual 
seminar  will  concern  the  contribution  of  RTD  and  innovation  to  competitiveness  and 
employment.  The  latter  topic  was  addressed  from  the  point  of  view  of  SMEs  by 
Commissioner Papoutsis at the last meeting. 

European Science and Technology Assembly (ESTA) 

ESTA  actively  contributed  to  the  debate  on Fifth  Framework  Programme  during  1997 at 
the  same  time  undergoing  a transition  from  an  Assembly  of  approximately  100  members 
to  a  smaller  body  of  64  which  saw  the  election  of  a  new  ESTA  chairman  and  a  new, 
smaller  Bureau.  Separate  reports  were  produced  in  early  1997  on  each  of  the  three 
thematic  priority  topics  put  forward  in  the  Commission's  Working  Paper,  "Inventing 
Tomorrow". 
the  development  and 
implementation  of  the  programmes,  in  advance  of  the  formal  proposals.  They  were 
complemented  by  a  series  of  meetings  between  small  groups  of  ESTA  members  and 
research Directors to discuss specific  programme details. 

These  reports  offered 

input  on 

strategic 

ESTA  also provided  input  for  the  development  of the  horizontal  programmes,  organising 
a round  table  on  International  Cooperation  and  addressing  a number  of issues in the  area 
of  "Improving  Human  Potential",  such  as  research  infrastructure,  centres  of  excellence 
and  research  training  networks.  An  exploratory  round-table,  bringing  together  experts 
from  the  main  European  academic  organisations,  was  also  organised  to  explore  the 
contribution  social  scientists  could  make to  the  achievement  of EU  goals  in  research  and 
related fields. 

Longer-term  recommendations  were  developed  for  Fifth  Framework  Programme  at  the 
March  1998  ESTA  Plenary  meeting,  in  four  areas,  each  of  which  will  be  considered  for 
further  ESTA  action18:  support  to  research  infrastructure;  international  co-operation  in 
science and technology with Central  and Eastern  European  countries; the link between  the 
Fifth  Framework  Programme  and  the  Innovation  Action  Plan  with  a  focus  on  hi-tech 
SMEs; the attractiveness of regions, critical  mass and  competitiveness. 

ESTA  provided  further  encouragement  to  the  development  of  entrepreneurial  culture in 
universities  in  its  report  on  "Academic  and  Industrial  Research  Co-operation  in  Europe" 
and  carried  out  a  study  on the  "Strengths  and  Weaknesses  in European  Science", jointly 
with the main national research councils. 

18  The new ESTA Bureau developed a work  plan  for  1998 on the basis of which ESTA activities have 
been  structured  into  four  areas:  i)  ESTA  projects  related  to  the  development  of  advice  on  RTD 
activities  undertaken  by  the  Commission;  ii)  longer  term  projects  undertaken  at  ESTA's  own 
initiative;  iii)  actions  to  maintain  constructive  relationships  with  the  main  European  and 
international  RTD organisations;  iv) contributing  to Uie promotion  of a scientific  and  technological 
culture in Europe and the stimulation of debate at European level. 

Outlook for the structure of IRDAC and ESTA 

One essential  aspect  of the implementation  of the Fifth  Framework  Programme  lies in the 
greater  involvement  of  those  concerned  with  Community  research  on  its  management. 
Work  has been  done  to  develop  new ways for  consultative  structures  to  achieve  this.  In 
particular,  the  Commission  intends  that  ESTA  and  IRDAC  should  be  transferred  into  a 
single "two chamber" body, giving advice for  the Framework Programme  and  Community 
research  policy  as  a  whole.  The  renewed  ESTA/IRDAC  will  entertain  links  with  the 
External  Advisory-  Groups,  which  will  be  established  to  act  as  channels  of  advice  and 
communication  on  the  focus  and  implementation  of the  Framework  Programme  between 
the  Commission  and  the  various  parties  concerned  (researchers,  industrialists,  users)  in 
relation to the key actions. 

2.4.  ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COHESION 

1997 was an important year for  coordination  between  RTD  and  innovation  policy  and the 
structural  policies on account  of the preparations for the Fifth  Framework  Programme and 
the  reform  of  the  Structural  Funds.  Analyses  relating  to  the  new  communication 
"Reinforcing  cohesion  and  competitiveness  through  research,  technological  development 
and innovation"19  made it possible to increase knowledge  of this matter  and  promoted  the 
mutual  exchange  of  expertise  within 
the  Commission's  services  and  hence  the 
coordination  process. 

Coordination  between  RTD  and  innovation  policy and  cohesion  policy was given  a boost 
by the guidelines  set  out  in Agenda  2000,  which  places  particular  emphasis  on  economic 
and  social  cohesion  and  on  knowledge-related  policies,  as  well  as  the  European  Spatial 
Development  Perspective  (ESDP)  approved  by  the  informal  Council  of  Ministers 
responsible  for  regional  planning  in  Noordwijk 
in  June  1997,  which  stresses  the 
importance of access to knowledge throughout the territories of the European  Union. 

With  regard  to  the  Structural  Funds,  studies  carried  out  in  preparation  for  the  "Second 
European  Report  on  S&T  Indicators"  confirmed  the  growing  trend  towards  RTD  in  the 
Community  Support  Frameworks  and  the  Single Programming  Documents  in the  case  of 
Objectives  1, 2  and  5b.  The  percentage  of RTD  and  innovation  related  measures  for  the 
periods  1989-93  and  1994-99  increased  from  2.92%  to  5.37%  (Objective  1);  from 
11.50%  to  16.80% (Objective 2); and  from  1.43%  to  2.06%  (Objective  5b)  respectively. 
However,  the  total  funds  allocated  to  RTD  and  innovation  related  operations  has 
remained  more  or less stable, amounting to ECU 8 518 million for  the period  1994-99, or 
5.6%  of  the  amounts  available.  A more  precise  evaluation,  involving  qualitative  aspects, 
has been initiated  on the role of RTD  and innovation  in the  Structural Funds from  1994 to 
1999,  based  on  the  mid-term  evaluation  of  the  structural  instruments  in  that  period 
(intermediate results will be available in mid-1998). 

It  has been  shown20  at  the  same time that  a catching-up  process  is under  way  in most  of 
the  Framework  Programmes  are 
the 

regions  (Objective  1).  Where 

less-favoured 

19  COM (98) 275; 27.05.1998. 

20  Second European Report on S&T Indicators  1997, EUR 17639. 

10 

concerned,  these  regions  have in fact  done better  than  in the  past,  given  that  the  financial 
participation  rates  were  8.95%  and  8.77%  for  the  Fourth  and  Third  Framework 
Programmes  respectively,  which  is  slightly  higher  than  these  regions'  share  in  research 
personnel.  In  1997,  the  number  of  participations  of  Objective  1 regions  was  12.6%,  and 
the  Community  contribution  for  projects  involving  at  least  one  participant  from  an 
Objective  1 region was 47% (52% for the first activity). 

that  under  the 
Action  under  the  Framework  Programme  therefore  supplemented 
Structural Funds in terms of improving research  capacities in the less-favoured  regions, by 
enabling  researchers  from  these  regions  to  participate  in  high-level  international  research 
projects  and  slot  into  networks.  For  example,  in  1997  alone,  13 463  collaboration  links 
were  created  between  the  cohesion  countries  (Ireland,  Portugal,  Spain  and  Greece)  and 
the other European Union countries, out of a total  of 56 478 (23.8% of the links created). 

In  addition,  each  of  the  four  areas  of  activity  of  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme 
(1994-98)  contributed  in  1997  to  economic  and  social  cohesion  in various  ways,  ranging 
from  participation  in  programmes  of  particular  interest  to  these  regions  (environment, 
socio-economic  research,  etc.),  international  cooperation,  promotion  of  innovation  and 
dissemination  of results, to  access to  programmes  concerning  the training  and  mobility  of 
researchers. 

The Innovation Programme  (dissemination  and optimisation  of research  results)  continued  to 
play  a  key  role  developing  cohesion  aspects  of  the  Framework  Programme.  The  close 
cooperation  with  the  Structural  Funds  has  continued,  supporting  40  new  regions  in  their 
endeavour  to  define  a Regional  Innovation  and  Technology  Transfer  Strategy  (RITTS).  A 
large  proportion  of  these  projects  are  located  in  LFRs,  which,  through  a  pan-European 
network  allows access to  collective expertise and good  practice.  The network  of Innovation 
Relay  Centres  has  actively  promoted  the  transnational  flow  of  technologies  toward  LFRs, 
where the  industrial  fabric  presents  problems  of  dispersion  or  insufficient  local  infrastructure 
for  addressing technological  requirements.  Innovation  awareness activities have proven to be 
effective  for the transfer  of know-how from Nordic countries' cultures to LFRs.  For instance 
in  1997, half of the 20 workshops conducted  in European  cities in the field of urban  ecology 
took place in LFRs.  Finally, more than 20% of the 74 partners selected after  the third call for 
Technology  Transfer  Projects  (in  65  projects),  are  from  Objective  1,  2  or  6  regions  (the 
cohesion dimension was included in the selection criteria). 

While  assigning  greater  importance  to  the  dissemination  and  exploitation  of  results,  the 
Fifth  Framework  Programme21  will  focus  on  the  resolution  of  a  limited  number  of 
socio-economic problems thanks to a new instrument to be known as key actions, some of 
which are of particular interest to the less-favoured  regions: "Sustainable management  and 
quality  of  water",  "Sustainable  agriculture,  fisheries  and  forestry,  including  integrated 
development  of rural  areas", "Systems  and  services for  the  citizen",  "Sustainable  mobility 
and intermodality" and "The city of tomorrow and cultural heritage". 

The  Commission  organised  mobilisation  seminars in order  to  continue  its work  on  raising 
the  awareness  of  those  concerned,  at  national,  regional  or  local  level  by  economic 

21  Proposal  for  a  European  Parliament  and  Council  Decision  concerning  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme of the European Community for research, technological  development  and demonstration-
activities (1998- 2002), COM(97)  142 of 30 April 1997. 

11 

development,  RTD  and  innovation  problems.22  The  series  of  seminars  begun  in  1994 
finished in March  1998 in Denmark.  It  should  make it possible to ensure by the year  2000 
a more  rapid  and  more  effective  integration  of the  RTD  and  innovation  dimension  in  the 
next  Structural Fund  period  2000-2006. 

With  the  prospect  of  future  enlargement,  in  1997  the  Commission  launched  a  study23  to 
measure Eastern Europe's technology  gap. This study provides the  basis for  reflecting  on 
the  need  for  structural  and  operational  support  for  RTD  and  innovation  systems  in  the 
accession  candidate  countries.  The  conclusions  of this  study  were  presented  in  Vienna  in 
November  1997. 

2.5. 

INTERNATIONAL  COOPERATION 

In  the  context  of the  globalisation  of  knowledge  and  economies,  the  enlargement  of  the 
Union,  the  ongoing  development  of  S&T  relations  with  the  emerging  economies,  and  in 
the context  of the Fifth  Framework  Programme,  the Council  of  14/15 May  1997  stressed 
the  growing  importance  of  RTD  cooperation.  This  cooperation,  entailing  in  particular  a 
"European  added value", helps to ensure a higher profile in the world  for European  know-
how  in the field of science and  technology  compared  with  the United  States  and  Japan  in 
particular.  It  also  promotes  economic  and  trade  links,  while  helping  to  improve  the 
competitiveness  of  the  Union's  economy  and  to  implement  other  sectoral  and  external 
policies. 

The  activities  conducted  in  1997  were  part  of  the  medium-term  strategy  set  out  in  the 
communication  on  the  perspectives  for  international  cooperation.24  Efforts  continued  to 
increase  the  participation  of  the  accession  candidate  countries  in  the  second  activity 
"international  cooperation"  and  the  other  specific  programmes  under  the  Fourth 
Framework  Programme,  with  the support  of the  second  activity.  A "structured  dialogue" 
meeting (14 May) was held between  the Research Ministers of the applicant  countries and 
the Union  countries,  during  which  it  was  agreed  in particular  to  step  up  the  dialogue  on 
RTD  policy  and  explore  ways,  including  financial  ones,  of  facilitating  these  countries' 
participation  in the Fifth Framework  Programme. 

Turning  to  the  advanced  countries,  a  Cooperation  Agreement  on  S&T  was  signed 
between  the  EU  and  the  United  States  of  America,  following  on  from  the  Transatlantic 
Action  Plan  signed  in  December  1995.  It  is  designed  to  encourage  and  facilitate  the 
development  of  scientific  cooperation  in  areas  of  common  interest.  Negotiations  began 
with  Russia  with  a  view  to  a  Cooperation  Agreement  aimed  at  expanding  and 
consolidating the present  collaboration  between  Russia  and  the EU,  presupposing,  among 
other  things,  a  solution  for  problems  connected  with  taxation  and  the  protection  of 
intellectual  property rights. 

22  "Science  and  Technology  -  optimising  the  impact  in  the  regions",  Liverpool  (UK),  18.04.1997. 
"Stimulation  of  Research  and  Technological  Development  via  the  Structural  Funds,"  Groningen 
(NL), 20.06.1997. "RTD policies, regional policies and structural policies," Metz (FR), 21.11.1997. 

23  "Impact of the enlargement of the European Community towards the Associated Central and Eastern 
European Countries on RTD-innovation and structural policies", Coopers & Lybrand, 09.03.1998. 

24  COM (95) 489 final, 18.10.1995. 

12 

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the communication  on promoting RTD 
cooperation  with  the  world's  emerging  economies,  which  sets  out  vis-à-vis  these 
countries, which are both the EU's partners and its competitors,  a selective  cooperation 
policy based in particular on the conclusion of Cooperation Agreements. 

Where  the  developing  countries (DCs)  are  concerned,  following  the  conference  co-
organised  by  the  Dutch  Presidency  and  the  Commission  on  partnership  for  research 
(Leiden,  March  1997),  the  Commission  published  a  communication  on  "scientific  and 
technological  research  -  a  strategic  part  of  the  European  Union's  development 
cooperation  with  the  DCs"25  which  was  endorsed  by  the  Development  Council  in  a 
resolution  adopted  on 5 June.  The general  objective  is to  utilise RTD as a determining 
factor  for  sustainable  development  and  for  facilitating  the  integration  of  developing 
countries  in  the  global  economy.  This  strategy  is  based  on  four  main  principles: 
partnership, differentiation,  mainstreaming of RTD, and an integrated approach to solving 
problems which combines institutional development, strengthening research capacities and 
international  scientific  and  technological  cooperation.  Coherence  between  RTD  and 
external  policy will be ensured  through  coordination  of the  two  instruments  available -
scientific  and technological  cooperation  (through the INCO-DC programme) and  official 
development  assistance programmes.  More active coordination  with the Member  States 
should further  strengthen the impact of RTD in all the areas of development co-operation, 
on the basis of a global partnership with the developing countries. 

Continued  participation  of the EFTA EEA countries (Norway, Iceland,  Liechtenstein) in 
the  Fourth  Framework  Programme  has  been  enabled  via  an  extension  to  the  EEA 
Agreement  and  has  worked  satisfactorily.  Where  the  other  international  cooperation 
forums  are  concerned,  the  meeting  of  the  COST  Ministerial  Conference  (June  1997) 
confirmed the interest of the Member States and the Commission in this intergovernmental 
initiative to coordinate European research. Detailed  discussions were started between the 
Commission's  services  and  representatives  of  Eureka  on  the  procedures  for  greater 
interaction  between  Eureka,  COST  and  the  Framework  Programme,  with  a  view  to 
encouraging the optimum utilisation of the results of European research. 

3.  RESEARCH  ACTIVITIES  IN  1997  AND  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE 

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMES 

The  Union's  RTD  policy  mobilises  a  growing  number  of  Union  researchers  and  it 
supports  or  encourages European  networks  of undisputed  quality; it  plays an important 
role  in  all  Community  activities.26  Networks  involve  firms,  universities  and  research 
centres on a transnational basis in an increasingly wide variety of ways: for the first three 
years of the Fourth Framework Programme the respective share of firms, universities and 
research  centres was 43%, 28% and  23% of total  European  participation  in shared-cost 
actions27 for the first activity of the Fourth Framework Programme. 

25  COM (97) 174, 25.04.1997. 

26  Almost ECU 3 000 million and some 4% of the Community budget (see Tables 10 and 11). 

27  For  1995,  1996  and  1997,  the  data  are  those  given  in  Table  5  of  the  1996,  1997  and  1998 

Article 130P reports for European Union participants: the "others" category amounts to 6%. 

13 

3.1. 

IMPACTS AND SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL  RESULTS 

In the course  of  1997, numerous results were achieved  through  Community RTD  projects 
which  will  contribute,  sometimes  indirectly  and/or  in  the  long  term,  to  improving  the 
sequencing  of  the  genome  of  several  living  organisms, 
quality  of  life  in  Europe: 
development  of a powerful  climate-forecasting  model  for  Europe,  development  of several 
innovative  production  technologies,  launching  of  an  international  campaign  to  study  the 
depletion of the ozone layer above Europe, etc. 

However,  the  impact  of  the  Community  programmes  also  helps,  in  a  more  diffuse  but 
equally  important  way, to  support  Europe's  scientific,  technical  and  industrial  fabric.  For 
example,  Community  funding  has made it  possible  to  establish  hundreds  of networks  and 
conferences  and  has given rise to  thousands  of publications  and  patents  - activities  which 
help to promote the dynamism of European  science and  technology. 

Where the economic  impact  of Community  activities  is concerned,  an  important  aspect  of 
the value  added  by the Community  programmes  is the  coordination  of research.  In  many 
areas  Europe  is  at  the  forefront  of  science  and  technology  -  for  example  in  certain 
the 
branches  of  environmental,  biotechnology  and  energy  research  -  thanks 
coordination  of research  made possible by the European  programmes,  coordination  which 
does not exist - or which exists to a lesser extent - in the case of some of our  competitors. 
The pooling  of data and  expertise is another  aspect  of this European  added  value,  making 
it possible to  speed up the development  of treatments in the medical field, for  example: 

to 

•  our  understanding  of  certain  forms  of  cancer  has  improved  significantly  as  a  result  of 
studies carried  out  in parallel  in several Member  States and  funded  by the  Biomedicine 
and Health Programme; 

• 

it was  also  an  epidemiological  monitoring  network  supported  by  the  European  Union 
which  detected  the  first  ten  atypical  cases  of  Creutzfeldt-Jakob  Disease  suspected  of 
being linked to  "mad cow" disease. 

The  fact  is  that  because  Community  projects  are  selected  on  the  basis  of  their  quality, 
most  European  research  teams  are  consistently  at  the  forefront  of  research  in  their 
particular  sector.  To  quote  just  one  example,  a  network  under  the  TMR  Programme 
made it possible to  discover the quantum  teleportation  phenomenon,  offering  the prospect 
of new generations of computers. 

However,  these  interesting  scientific  and  technical  results  should  not  conceal  the  fact  that 
the  Union's  major  weakness  lies not  in  its  research  potential  but  rather  in translating  the 
results  of  this  research  in  economic  and  commercial  terms.  One  of the  objectives  of  the 
Framework  Programme  is  therefore  to  improve  this  state  of  affairs  and,  through  the 
Innovation  Programme  and  the  other  specific  programmes,  to  establish  a  framework 
conducive to innovation  in Europe.  Thus, following  on from  those initiatives, in particular 
by  DG  XIII-D,  in  1997  ESPRIT  established  an  annual  Investment  Forum  designed  to 
bring  together  IT  firms  and  investors  in  innovation.  Other  similar  initiatives  have  been 
launched  elsewhere,  in  particular  in  the  field  of  biotechnology  (first  conference  of  the 
"Biotechnology  and Finance Forum"). 

14 

3.2.  MONITORING  OF THE FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMMES 

As  forseen  in  the  relevant  legal  Decisions,  the  implementation  of  each  of  the  18  specific 
programmes  and  the  Framework  Programme  overall  were  the  subject  of  an  independent 
monitoring  exercise by panels of experts from  the Member  States; for  the year  1997 all of 
these were completed  by the end of March  1998. 

The  Framework  Programme  monitoring  panel  consisted  of  8  senior  experts,  under  the 
Chairmanship  of  Prof.  J.  Viana  Baptista,  Vice  Chairman  of  IRDAC.  As  this  monitoring 
exercise  was  conducted  during  the  period  when  discussions  on  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme  were  in  progress,  the  Panel's  deliberations  took  particular  account  of  the 
approach  forseen  for  the  next  Framework  Programme  and  the  actions  in  1997  which  are 
precursors to this new approach. 

The  Panel  commended  the  significant  improvements  already  effected  by  the  Commission 
services  in  several  areas  of  Programme  management,  and  the  Commission's  efforts  in 
responding  to  earlier  monitoring  exercises.  It  concluded  that,  overall,  the  Framework 
Programme  is developing  in  a positive  way  and  substantial  results  have  been  achieved  in 
specific  fields.  Improvements  were  noted  in  processing  proposals,  supply  of  information 
to  applicants,  reduction  of over-subscription,  management  flexibility  and  coordination  and 
cooperation  between  programmes.  The  Panel  highlighted  a  number  of  areas  to  which 
further  attention  should  be  given;  in  particular  for  the  long  term  development  of  the 
programme,  such  as  the  development  of  a  comprehensive  concept  of  European  added 
value,  to  assist  programme  definition/proposal  selection  and  underpin  output  measures 
and impact  assessment  techniques. 

3.3.  CONTRACTS SIGNED AND PAYMENTS MADE IN 1997: ANNUAL BASIS AND 

FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMES 

The  statistical  and  budgetary  data  (see  Annex  II, Tables  1 to  3B  and  5 to  7)  relate to  the 
contracts  signed  in  1997  and  the  projects  in  progress  under  all  the  Framework 
Programmes.  The  data  relate  to  the  Community  and  Euratom  Framework  Programmes; 
the  financing  structures  for  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme  include  the  financial 
supplement  approved  in  1997 (Tables  9 to  11).  The  calls for  proposals  (Tables 4  and  8) 
concern  1997 and  1998. 

For  1997,  Tables  1-8  indicate  that  nearly  24 000  proposals  were  received  by  the 
Commission  in  response  to  calls  for  proposals  and  that  over  7 000  contracts  and 
amendments  to  contracts  were  signed,  corresponding  to  nearly  ECU 3 000  million28  and 
nearly  24 000  participations.  On  31  December  1997  over  11000  projects  were  in 
progress, including  10 500 under the Fourth  Framework  Programmes alone. 

The  6 300  contracts  signed  in  1997  comprise  on  average  3.8  participations  and  2.6 
Member  States  and  correspond  to  average  funding  of ECU 0.41  million  (Table 2),  which 
is slightly less than  in previous years:  this can be explained  by the growing  success  of the 

28  The  commitments  for  1997  for  appropriations  for  operations amount  to  ECU  3  149  million,  a  figure 
which  is  more  than  the  contracts  signed  in  1997.  Generally  speaking,  the  difference  between 
commitments  and  contracts  is  attributable  to  contracts  committed  one  year  and  signed  by  all  the 
contractors  the  next  year. 

15 

technology  stimulation  measures  for  SMEs  and  the  accompanying  measures  which  rose 
from  9.5%  of  the  amount  of  contracts  signed  in  1996  to  13.6%  in  1997.  Concerted 
actions represented  6.9% of participations  in 1997. 

In  the  case  of  shared-cost  actions  (SCA),  in  1997  as  in  1996  over  4 000  projects  were 
signed,  giving  rise  to  18 000  participations.  Taking  into  account  amendments  (which 
apply  almost  exclusively  to  SCA),  since  the  start  of  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme 
nearly  9 700  contracts  have  been  signed,  corresponding  to  ECU 7  100 million  and  over 
46 500  participations.  An  average  project  (SCA)  therefore  involves  ECU 0.73  million, 
4.8 partners and 3.2 Member  States. 

In  accordance  with  the  revenue  and  expenditure  accounts,  all  the  appropriations  for 
Community research  operations  (including the competitive  scientific  and technical  support 
activities29)  are  accounted 
totalling 
ECU 2 487 million  under 
(Table  3 A),  and 
ECU 2  188 million under the Fourth Framework  Programmes (Table 3B). 

the  Third  Framework  Programme 

terms  of  payments 

in  Table  1, 

for 

in 

Table 9  gives  the  breakdown  of  funding,  including  the  financial  supplement,  for  the 
various  specific  programmes  for  all  the  budgetary  commitments  concerning 
the 
Framework  Programmes  comprising  management  costs  and  direct  actions  (JRC)  as  well 
as  the  appropriations  for  operations. 
Tables  10  and  11  set  out  the  budgetary 
commitments  (1984-1998)  for  the  Community  research  Framework  Programmes  in 
current  prices and  1992 prices.30 

3.4. 

IMPLEMENTATION  OF  THE  FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMMES  AND  OBJECTIVES  OF 
EUROPEAN RESEARCH POLICY 

3 . 4 . 1.  INDUSTRIAL  PARTICIPATION 

After  levelling off in  1995 and  1996, industrial  participation  in the Framework  Programme 
as a whole  increased  in  1997,  mainly  as  a  result  of  SME  participation.  Aggregated  data 
for  the  first  three  years  of  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme  show  that  for  the  first 
activity  firms  accounted  for  43% of  European  Union  participation  (18%  for  large firms 
and 25%o for  SMEs) in SCA, and 44% of the Community  contribution. 

Industrial  participation  varies  quite  considerably  from  one  specific  programme  to  another 
(see  Tables  5A  and  5B).  In  1997  the  five  programmes  where  industrial  participation  is 
around  50%  include  the  two  biggest  programmes  under  the  Fourth  Framework 
Programme,  "Information  Technologies"  and  "Industrial  and  Materials  Technologies" 
(16%> and 22% of SCA respectively);  large firms play the leading role (Table  5B).  SMEs 
play  a  major  role  compared  with  the  large  firms  in  the  case  of  the  third  activity 
"Dissemination  and  Optimisation  of  Results"  (accounting  for  over  46%  of  the  types  of 
organisations),  in the  case  of  transport  where  they  are  more  numerous  than  large firms, 
and in the case of non-nuclear  energy. 

29  In  1997 as  in  1996 these  are  accounted  for  in  terms  of  payment.  Qualitative  and  quantitative 

information concerning them is given in Annex 1 to this report on page 48. 

30  The current financial perspective was decided upon in 1992 at the Edinburgh Summit for the period 

1992-1999). 

16 

3.4.2.  T E C H N O L O GY  STIMULATION  M E A S U R ES  FOR SME  A C C E SS TO  RTD 

The  percentage  participation  of  SMEs  in  all  the  specific  programmes  increased  between 
1995  and  1997,  bringing  it  to  a level  which,  according  to  a  recent  report,  is the  highest  of 
all  public  national  or  international  RTD  programmes.31  SMEs  now  account  for  24%  of 
total  participation  (Table  5B). 

The  most  important  result  in  terms  of  SME  participation32  undoubtedly  concerns  the 
increase  in  SMEs  ,with  research  facilities  participating  in  collaborative  research  projects. 
Nearly  5 400  SMEs  were  funded  in  a  project  of  this  type  between  1995  and  1998  -  more 
than  double  the  number  in the  previous  framework  programme. 

Between  1995  and  1997,  the  technology  stimulation  measures  for  SMEs  (TSME)  thus 
enabled  2  900  SMEs  to  benefit  from  one  of  the  1  264  exploratory  awards  financed  and 
nearly  1 900  other  SMEs  to  participate  in  one  of  the  300  CRAFT  projects  in  progress.33 
Over  80%)  of  the  SMEs  receiving  an  exploratory  award  had  never  before  taken  part  in  a 
Community  project. 

A  recent  study34  has  confirmed 
that  the  latter  point  applies  to  the  entire  Fourth 
Framework  Programme:  64%  of  SMEs  interviewed  are taking  part  for  the  first  time,  while 
in  the  case  of  63%  of  them  it  is  also  their  first  participation  in  a  public  RTD  programme 
(regional,  national  or  international).  The  study  shows  that  the  Framework  Programme 
enables  SMEs  to  establish  new  contacts,  50%  of them  never  having  collaborated  with  any 
of  the  partners  involved  in  the  projects  financed  by  the  Framework  Programme.  In 
addition,  the  fact  of  obtaining  an  exploratory  award  increased  the  rate  of  selection  of 
projects  submitted  by  SMEs  in  1995  and  1996:  from  28  to  4 1% for  collaborative  research 
projects.  In  the  case  of  CRAFT  projects,  the  increase  is  lower  (from  47  to  49%),  but  in 
this  case  the  awards  enabled  a  new  category  of  SMEs  to  participate  in  the  Framework 
Programme. 

With  an  average  of  six  or  seven  SMEs  per  CRAFT  project,  it  can  be  estimated  that  the 
calls  scheduled  for  1998  will  bring  total  participation  under  the  Fourth  Framework 
Programme  to  around  12 500  SMEs  compared  with  5 400  for  the  previous  Framework 
Programme.  On  the basis  of the  study  and  these  estimates,  it  is likely that  under the  Fourth 
Framework  Programme  nearly  8 000  SMEs  will  have  participated  not  only  in  their  first 

31  "Second European Report on S&T indicators - 1997", EUR 17639, December 1997. 

32  The 9 300 SMEs obtained by adding up those indicated  in Table 5 for the years  1995 to  1997 break 
down  into 5 400  SMEs collaborating  with  other types of participants  (large firms, research centres, 
universities) in research contracts and 3 900 SMEs benefiting from  technology stimulation measures. 

33  The  9 300  SME participations  obtained  by adding  up  the  figures  in  Table 5 for  the years  1995 to 
1997  only  represent  organisations  which  have  signed  a  contract  with  the  Commission.  Associated 
contractors such as, for example, the 1  700 SMEs that are co-beneficiaries of an exploratory award do 
not  appear.  Similarly,  very  many  SMEs  benefit  from  Community  RTD  programmes  as 
subcontractors,  without  the  Commission  being  able  to  quantify  their  participation  or  the  funding 
received by them.. 

34  "SME Participation  in the 4th RTD Framework  Programme  of the European  Union", publication  in 

preparation. 

17 

international  research  project  but  also  their first public  RTD  programme  (including  over 
5 000 as a result of the TSME). 

3.4.3.  CONTRIBUTION  OF COMMUNITY  RESEARCH  TO  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF THE 

EUROPEAN ECONOMY 

The Framework  Programme  makes  an  active  contribution  to  industrial  competitiveness, 
growth  and  employment  as  a  result  of  the  production  of  high-quality  knowledge.  The 
latter  is  essential, to  the  development  of  the  Union's  productive  capacity  and  is  a 
precondition  for  the  availability  of  human  resources  capable  of  meeting  new  needs.  In 
addition  to  its  direct  impact  on  employment,35,  the Framework  Programme  increases the 
dynamism  and  productive  capacity  of  the  research  community  by  supplementing  the 
research  efforts  at  national  and  regional  level  (subsidiarity  principle).  In  particular,  as a 
result of the numerous links that it establishes between the various players involved  (since 
the beginning of the Fourth Framework  Programme,  160 000  collaboration  links between 
EU  partners  have been  created,  of which  nearly  60 000  in  1997),  it  helps to  consolidate 
the European dimension which is becoming an increasingly  essential  aspect of growth and 
employment.  In  this  connection,  mention  should  also  be  made  of  the  Training  and 
Mobility of Researchers Programme. 

A study completed in 1998 on completed projects under the Brite-EuRam Programme has 
indicated  that  firms'  participation 
in  Community  research  has  major  economic 
implications: nearly half of all the firms involved have managed to increase their turnover; 
40%>  of them have gained access to new markets; and 40% have been able to  increase the 
size  of  their  workforce.  Another  study  concerning  a  series  of  projects  under  the  Esprit 
Programme36 has also  shown that  1 ecu invested in research results ECU  11 of economic 
output eight year later. 

Thanks  to  the  Training  and  Mobility  of  Researchers  Programme  several  thousands  of 
young  scientists  have  been  able to  obtain  training  in a country  other than their  own and 
have  been  able  to  expedite  their  research  by  having  more  rapid  access  to  relevant  and 
recognised  results.  For  example,  by  the  time  it  ends  the  current  programme  will  have 
made it possible to  support  the training through research  of 6 500 researchers/year  in the 
context  of  the  "networks"  activity  and  some  5 600  researchers/year  in  the  case  of  the 
Marie  Curie  fellowships.  The  "large  facilities"  activity  of  the  programme  has  made  it 
possible to  facilitate  the  access  of European  researchers to  very  expensive  large  facilities 
in  order  to  carry  out  certain  research  work.  This  activity  is  particularly  important  for 
researchers working in the regions of the Community that are the furthest  away from such 
facilities. The Association of Marie Curie Fellows set up in 1997 and its branches in all the 
Member States also represent an important channel  of dialogue and source  of information 
and assistance for Marie Curie fellowship holders during and after their fellowship. 

35  By involving over 24 000 firms, universities and research centres in over 6 000 projects in 1997, the 
Framework Programme provided employment for a considerable number of people working in  the 
field  of S&T. 

36  "Pilot Evaluation of Economic Effects,  HPCN - ESPRIT', Office  for Official  Publications of the 

European Communities, 1997. 

18 

The  Commission  has lengthy  experience  with  the  evaluation  of RTD  programmes,  but  in 
particular  because  of  the  difficulties  of  evaluating  the  socio-economic  impact  of  RTD  it 
has  begun  to  reflect  on  how  to  improve  evaluation  methodologies  by  attempting  to 
increase their ability to measure the output  of programmes. 

4.  MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH 

In  the  context  of  the  debate  on  the  Commission's  proposal  for  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme  and the lead-up to proposals  for  the specific  programmes,  management  was a 
subject  of considerable attention  during the year and into  1998.  Besides the ongoing issue 
of progressive improvement  of management  performance  and  quality,  significant  advances 
were  made  in  the  evolution  and  further  development  of  management  systems  to  reflect 
fully  the new principles  of focus,  coordination  and  flexibility  in the  implementation  of the 
Fifth  Framework  Programme. 

Following  a  suggestion  to  the  Council  of  research  ministers  at  its  meeting  on  15  May 
1997 from  Mrs  Cresson,  the  Commissioner  responsible  for  research,  a group  of  personal 
representatives  of research  ministers was  set up  and  met  three times during the year.  The 
group was set up with the aim that the Commission  should  "...provide  on an ad-hoc  basis 
...  more  detailed  information  on  the  modalities  of  programme  implementation  and 
management  ...". 

In  its  three  meetings,  the  group  discussed  the  principal  issues  related  to  programme 
implementation  within EU RTD  programmes.  These meetings provided  for  the  possibility 
of  constructive  discussions  between  the  Commission  and  the  Member  States,  allowing 
concerns  to  be  aired,  issues  to  be  clarified  and  overall  principles  for  programme 
management  to  be  confirmed.  In  particular,  the  discussions  focused  around  the  issues  of 
transparency,  the  role  of  programme  Committees  in  the  more  strategically-oriented  Fifth 
Framework  Programme,  the  networks  of  providers  of  information  and  assistance  to 
proposers,  and  the  Commission's  external  advisory  structures.  A  representative  of  the 
Commission  chaired  the  group  and  the  Chairman's  report  on  the  main  findings  of  the 
group  was  a  major  input  for  the  Council  conclusions  on  the  implementation  and 
management  of Community RTD programmes  adopted  at the  10 November  1997 meeting 
of research ministers. 

Ministers  affirmed  the  need  for  a  closer  liaison  with  the  research,  industry  and  user 
communities  in  the  implementation  of  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  and  the  need  to 
adapt  management  structures  to  improve  flexibility.  Their  conclusions  opened  the  way, 
following  the political  agreement  on a Common Position  reached  at the February  research 
Council, to a further  discussion  in the context of an informal  ministerial  colloquium  held in 
London  on  28  April  1998,  focusing  specifically  on  management  aspects  of  SME 
participation  and training/mobility fellowships,  as well as general management  issues. 

At  the  informal  colloquium,  the  Commission  put  forward  a  series  of  proposals  for 
adaptations  to  the  management  system  applying  to  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme, 
including: 

•  A  regular  "benchmarking"  exercise  to  compare  the  performance  of  the  Commission 
with  that  of  other  research  organisations  (a  first  such  exercise  carried  out  by 
independent  consultants  in early  1998 concluded  that  the  Commission's  administrative 
costs  compared  favourably  with  those  of  both  member  states'  and  other  European 
research  organisations). 

19 

•  The setting of targets for the timescales of key steps in the process leading from project 

proposals to research contracts. 

•  Guidelines  for  the  setting  up  of  external  "Advisory  Groups",  to  act  as  consultative 
bodies for the Commission on the priorities for research work and as an instrument for 
transparency,  providing  channels for  communication  between the Commission  and the 
various parties involved (researchers, industrialists, users). 

•  A pilot experiment  of "host fellowships" for Marie Curie research training fellowships, 
in which  the  Commission  would  be  responsible  for  selection  of  the  host  institutions, 
which  would  themselves  handle  the  selection  of  fellows  on  the  basis  of  criteria 
established by the Commission (and subject to Commission  confirmation). 

•  Arrangements to improve the management  of  SME-specific  measures,  building  on the 
achievements  in  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme,  including  the  setting  up  of  a 
renewed  and reinforced  network  of  information  and  assistance,  and the  creation  of a 
single  entry  point  for  SMEs,  covering  all  the  programmes  of  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme. 

The  Commission  also  confirmed  its  interest  in  the  possibility  of  strategic  research 
initiatives within the Fifth Framework Programme which, through voluntary efforts  on the 
part  of  researchers,  would  involve  grouping  ("clustering")  projects  around  particular 
objectives,  with  greater  autonomy  for  the  project  coordinators  and  simplification  of 
administration,  whilst  giving  those  involved  access  to  a larger,  and  closely  coordinated, 
RTD activity. 

On  more  detailed  aspects  of  management,  as  reported  in  the  last  Annual  Report,  the 
Commission  has  set  up  an  inter-service  group  to  examine  all  the  steps  involved  in  the 
implementation  of  the  programmes  and,  in  particular,  any  changes  that  will  need  to  be 
made  in  the  context  of  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme.  With  the  Commission's 
proposals  for  the  structure  of  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  decided,  the  group 
continued to work throughout  1997 and, towards the end of the year, set up a number of 
specialist  sub-groups to examine particular issues in much more detail.  These groups are 
continuing  to  work  and  cover  all  the  major  topics  relating  to  programme  management, 
including  internal  Commission  procedures  and  delegation,  contractual  issues,  proposal, 
evaluation  procedures  and  evaluation  manuals,  harmonisation  and  simplification  of 
documentation  (including  forms,  information  packages,  etc.),  information  and  assistance 
networks,  project  monitoring  and  evaluation,  statistics  and  informatics  systems  for  the 
management  of  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  (including  electronic  proposal 
submission). 

20 

ANNEX!, 

RTD ACTIVITIES IN 1997 <B& WOMC PkdGRMl^ FORÎ998 

1ST  ACTIVITY  OF  THE  FOURTH  EC  FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMME  AND  THE 
EURATOM FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 

Information  and communications technologies 
1.  Telematics 
2.  Communications technologies 
Information technologies 
3. 

- 

Industrial technologies 
4. 
5.  Measurement and testing 

Industrial and materials technologies 

Environment 
6.  Environment and climate 
7.  Marine sciences and technologies 

Life sciences and technologies 
8.  Biotechnology 
9.  Biomedicine and health 
10.  Agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, 

aquaculture and rural development) 

Energy 
11.  Non-nuclear energy 
12.  Nuclear fission safety 
13.  Controlled thermonuclear fusion 

14.  Transport 

15.Targeted socio-economic research 

2ND  ACTIVITY  OF THE FOURTH FRAMEWORK  PROGRAMME 

Cooperation with third countries and international organisations 

3RD  ACTIVITY  OF THE FOURTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 

Dissemination and optimisation of results 

4TH  ACTIVITY  OF THE FOURTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 

Stimulation of the training and mobility of researchers 

JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC) 

COMPETITIVE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES 

21 

22 
22 
22 
25 
27 

30 
30 
33 

35 
35 
38 

40 
40 
42 

45 

47 
47 
50 
52 

55 

57 

59 

59 

62 

62 

64 

64 

66 

70 

1ST ACTIVITY OF THE FOURTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 
AND THE 
EURATOM FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 

INFORMATION  AND COMMUNICATIONS  TECHNOLOGIES 

1.  TELEMATICS  APPLICATIONS 

Activities  in  1997 

the  applications  of 

is  a  user-driven  research 
The  Telematics  Applications  Programme 
programme, 
information  and/or 
focusing  on 
communications  technologies  to  society,  thus  providing  some  of  the 
building  blocks  for  Europe's  Information  Society.  Its  activities  are 
relevant  to  a range  of other European  policies  in fields  such  as  transport, 
health,  education.  At  the  end  of  1997  the  Telematics  Applications 
Programme  was  responsible  for  a  total  of  some  500  projects,  of  which 
more than 450 were shared-cost  projects. 

In  the  course  of the  year,  contracts  were  signed  following  three  calls  for 
proposals:  the  fourth  general  call  generated  179  new  projects,  of  which 
140 were shared-cost  projects; the call concerning Integrated  Applications 
for  Digital  Sites  (IADS)  generated  21  new  contracts,  of  which  11  were 
shared-cost  projects;  the  joint  call  for  Educational  Multimedia  (EMM) 
involved  6  programmes  (Telematics  Applications,  ESPRIT,  Targeted 
Socio-economic  Research,  TEN-Telecom,  Leonardo  da  Vinci  and 
Socrates)  and  generated  29  new  projects,  of  which  25  were  shared-cost 
projects.  The  fifth  call  for  proposals  for  the  "Research  networks"  sector 
resulted  in one  new  shared-cost  project  to  be  signed  in  1998. A joint  call 
for  proposals  was 
in  December  1997  by  the  Transport 
Programme  together  with  the  "Telematics  Applications  for  Transport" 
sector. 

launched 

The time between the closing date for the call and the signature of most  of 
the  contracts  was  brought  down  to  five  open  months  (seven  months  in 
improvement  has  been  achieved  through  a 
1996).  This  significant 
combination  of  a  robust  evaluation  process  and  the  use  of  a  two-stage 
proposal  process  involving  pre-proposals  and  full  proposals.  The  1997 
calls  have  also  seen  a  reduction  in the  "over-subscription"  of  the  budget 
compared  to  previous  years.  There  has  also  been  a  tendency  to  select 
larger  projects  (in  particular,  the  IADS  activity  encompasses  projects 
worth  an  average  EC  contribution  of ECU 4.5  million,  which  reflects  the 
cross-sectoral  nature of this initiative). 

For  the  second  annual  technical  review  of  projects,  261  independent 
experts  got  together  to  carry  out  a technical  audit  of 355  projects,  30  of 
which were subject  to an in-depth  audit. 

The  annual  monitoring  report  stressed  the  improvements  in the  efficiency 
and transparency of programme management  during  1997, the consistency 
of  project  selection  with  the  initial  objectives  and  the  work  programme, 
the  relevance  of  dissemination  activities,  and  the  consideration  given  to 
output  indicators that  are appropriate for individual sectors. 

22 

Examples  of results 

100 000 severely 
mobility-impaired 
Europeans will get a 
better quality of life and 
get more independence 
through development by 
the Focus  project  of a 
standardised  way to 
equip wheelchairs with 
different  assistive 
devices. The TESTLAB 
project,  which provides 
access for blind and 
visually-impaired  readers 
to library catalogues and 
to documents, 
demonstrated  its services 
at 25 test  sites in 1997. 

The monitoring of air 
quality is essential  for 
human health and well-
being. An  efficient 
telematic environment 
management  system has 
been developed  by the 
EMMA project  to provide 
24/48-hour air pollution 
forecasts  so that  traffic 
restrictions or other 
measures can be taken to 
reduce risks. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

The  programme  covers  the  whole  range  of  RTD  activities  from  applied 
research  to  real-site  demonstration.  By  developing  systems  components 
and  specific  services,  and  integrating  them  into  generic  platforms,  this 
programme  helps  to  satisfy  society's  needs  in  areas  of  general  interest, 
contributes 
industries  and  services 
concerned,  and  helps  to  implement  other  relevant  European  Union 
policies.  In  1997  projects  selected  from  the  first  two  calls  entered  into 
their  demonstration  phase  which  will  give  preliminary  indications  on  the 
tangible  impact  of  the  results  on  significant  socio-economic  objectives 
such as employment,  market  stimulation or cohesion. 

the  competitiveness  of  the 

to 

Contribution  to  strengthening  industry's  S&T  bases  and  developing 
European  competitiveness 

The  results  of  the  projects  take  the  form  of  prototypes  of  telematics 
systems  and  services,  incorporating  various  equipment,  algorithms  and 
software  tools,  to  provide  potential  users  with  innovative  technical 
solutions meeting their needs and expectations. The programme  reinforces 
the  technological  bases  of the European  industry  (35% of the  number  of 
participants),  thus  enabling  hardware,  software  and  service  companies  to 
increase 
the  emerging  applications  and 
multimedia  service  markets.  Increased  structuring  of  the  various  user 
communities  and  quicker  uptake  of  RTD  results  are  dramatically 
enhanced  through the involvement  of the users in all phases of the  project 
cycle. 

their  competitiveness  on 

An important  innovation  in the  programme  in  1997 was the  launch  of  11 
large-scale  demonstration  projects  for  Integrated  Applications  for  Digital 
Sites. These projects will design, implement,  test  and evaluate  cooperative 
digital  platforms  in  order  to  support  and  further  deploy  a wide  range  of 
multi-language  and  cross-sectoral  services.  The  projects  aim  at  providing 
one-point  access  to  a  wide  range  of  public  and  private  services  and 
thereby  boost  the  industry's  ability  to  provide  relevant  services  for  the 
information  society of the 21st century. 

Contribution to other Community policies 

In  1997,  most  projects  in  the  Telematics  Applications  Programme  went 
into their  demonstration  phases  on  real  sites with  large numbers  of users. 
The  projects  will  thus  have  a  direct  influence  on  the  shaping  of  the 
information  society  and  the  optimisation  of  the  European  model  of 
society. 

The joint  call for  educational  multimedia  directly  supports the  educational 
policies  of the  Community  as described  in the White Paper  on  Education, 
by  developing  multimedia  services  providing  equal  access to  high  quality 
education  regardless  of  where  the  pupils  are  living.  In  addition,  the 
projects  in the Libraries sector  provide new ways of opening up access to 
the  vast  stores  of  knowledge  traditionally  held  in  libraries,  museums  and 
galleries. 

Employment  policies  are  supported  by the  combined  projects'  efforts,  as 
to  prototype  stage,  and  new 
new  services  are  being  developed 

23 

A prototype of a "safe" 
car which can monitor 
the state of the driver and 
take corrective action if 
necessary has been 
developed by the  SAVE 
project.  This has the 
potential to reduce the 
number of road  accidents 
by up to 30%. More 
accident victims are 
going to be saved 
following  the 
development by the 
HECTOR project  of a 
telematic communication 
system linking the 
accident  site via an 
ambulance directly to the 
intensive care units, so 
that first aid can be 
guided  directly by the 
expert consultants. 

The police forces and 
emergency services all 
over Europe can now 
more efficiently  combat 
cross-border crime and 
fraud through a multi 
lingual  communication 
system developed by the 
LlNGUANET project 
which provides simple 
forms of translation 
where appropriate. Many 
instances of practical 
results are reported  such 
as recovery of stolen 
vehicles, foiling of 
abductions and drugs 
related interceptions. 

employment possibilities are being created. Employment policies are being 
supported  directly  by  projects  in  the  Administrations  and  Education  & 
Training sectors which support teleworking and better information  to the 
unemployed and to employers. 

The projects  in the Health  and Disabled  and  Ageing  sectors  are directly 
contributing to policies concerning the quality of life for citizens. Projects 
are now demonstrating applications which will give a better quality of life 
for  people  living  in  remote  areas,  by  providing  access  to  distance 
diagnostic  services;  development  of  smart  cards  for  health  records  will 
make travelling safer and easier for citizens. 

In the Transport sector, the projects concern all modes of transport (road, 
rail, air, waterborne  and multimodal) and have begun to demonstrate the 
potential  of  telematics  applications  to  improve  deteriorating  transport 
conditions by increasing network efficiency,  enhancing traveller safety and 
reducing  environmental  impacts.  Policies  towards  a  better  environment 
are supported by the applications developed in the Environment  sector for 
better monitoring of the environment, and pollution forecasts,  be it in air, 
water or soil. 

The  barriers  between  people  speaking  different  languages  or  those 
between  man  and  machine  are  being  progressively  overcome  thanks  to 
Language  Engineering  and  Information  Engineering.  Activities  in  these 
fields  provide systems that can be applied in a broad range of business and 
societal  applications  for  addressing  complex  issues  such  as multi-lingual 
software  and  service interfaces,  human-computer  interaction,  technology 
mediated  inter-personal  communication,  ease  of  access,  usability  and 
multimedia information content. 

Work programme for 1998 

In  1998  the  programme's  activities  will  be  strongly  directed  towards 
dissemination and uptake of the results of the projects. A first effort  in this 
direction  will  be  a  major  conference  and  exhibition  in  February  in 
Barcelona promoting the first results of the projects and highlighting their 
contribution  to  the information  society.  This will be followed  by sector-
specific conferences in the year and a set of publications and dissemination 
of results on the WWW promoting the results of the programme. 

A very flexible and 
powerful  platform 
developed by the 
COOPWWW project has 
been adopted as their 
infrastructure for 
cooperative group 
working by an increasing 
number of European 
research projects and by 
prestigious Europe-wide 
users such as regional 
development and 
employment policy 
makers. A collection of 
interoperable tools and 
services has been 
assembled and integrated 
with an upgraded version 
of the so-called BSCW 
kernel which has already 
been installed in over 200 
Web sites around the 
world. 

24 

Examples  of  results 

Advanced  optical multi-
wavelength 
communication  networks 
will provide the 
infrastructure  for the 
explosive growth in 
Internet  services and data 
communications. 

The agreement on 
common  specifications 
for the Universal Mobile 
Telecommunications 
System (UMTS) will 
enable rapid and coherent 
market development in 
Europe and elsewhere. 

2.  ADVANCED  COMMUNICATIONS  TECHNOLOGIES  AND SERVICES  (ACTS) 

Activities  in  1997 

The  ACTS  programme  is now fully  implemented.  As a result  of the  third 
and last call for  proposals  of  1997, the decision  has been taken  to  support 
a further  89 projects  which reinforces  work  in key  strategic  areas,  such as 
high-speed  Internet  services,  advanced  optical  communications  and 
'agent'  technology  developments  which  will  make  it  easier  to  find 
information. 

Interoperation  and  standardisation  have always been  strong themes within 
EU  communications  RTD.  In  1997,  the  consolidation  of  cooperation  on 
development  of  common  guidelines  for  advanced  infrastructure  and 
service deployment further  strengthened Europe's lead in key areas. Work 
in the  ACTS  programme  also  supported  wider  consensus  development  in 
the areas of electronic  commerce,  multi-media  access to  cultural  heritage, 
and new working methods. 

The  critical  review  of  each  project  in  an  annual  technical  audit  has  also 
again  proved  a  valuable  way  of  allowing  projects  to  re-orient  work  in  a 
rapidly  changing  technical  and  regulatory  environment,  as  well  as  of 
ensuring a high level of European  'added  value'  for public investment. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

Strengthening Europe's  science and technology base 

As  a  result  of  a  decade  of  cooperation  in  technology  developments,  in 
conjunction  with  agreements  on  common  specifications  and  standards, 
European  industry  has  a  strong  base  and  leads  world  developments  in  a 
number  of  key  areas.  All  the  major  European 
telecommunications 
network  operators, the equipment  manufacturers,  the leading broadcasters 
and  cable  TV  operators  collaborate  in  the  ACTS  programme.  In  1997, 
involved  over  a  thousand  other  companies  and 
their  joint  work 
universities,  and  attracted  partnerships  with  organisations  in  23  other 
countries outside the EU. 

Development  of European  competitiveness 

In  1997,  the  first  evaluation  of  benefit  from  participation  in  the  ACTS 
programme  showed  that  more  than  half  of  the  projects  have  already 
improved  the  world  competitive  position  of  the  partners.  Participation  in 
the  EU  RTD  is  also  seen  to  contribute  to  faster  product  and  service 
development  (over 400  new systems and  components  are now emerging), 
reduced  investment  risks,  and  more  focused  business  strategies.  Over 
1300 technical papers have already been published,  over 345  contributions 
have been  made to  standardisation  bodies,  and  over 40  new  patents  have 
been  registered. 

A major  achievement  of ACTS cooperation  has already been realised with 
the  next 
the  unanimous  industrial  agreement  on  specifications  for 
generation  of  multi-media  mobile  communications:  the  UMTS  system. 
This  agreement  arose  from  the  long  and  careful  analyses  in  RACE  and 
ACTS  projects,  and  will  give European  industries  a head  start  in  product 

25 

Digital television and 
Internet video services 
will open up new 
opportunities for 
European creativity, with 
a single set of technical 
standards underpinning 
rapid market deployment. 

New ways to work and 
electronic commerce 
offer new opportunities 
for millions of Europeans 
and small businesses. 
Over 500 major trials are 
being supported through 
ACTS projects in 1998. 

and  service  developments,  and  European  citizens  the  confidence  in 
transborder use and the longer-term value of new investments. 

Similarly  important  achievements  have  also  been  reached  in  common 
digital video/TV standards and in image coding - also now widely used on 
the Internet. 

Stimulation of growth and employment 

The telecommunications  and  broadcasting  sectors  continued  to  grow at 
over 8% per year in 1997, well above the level in the economy as a whole. 
In  addition,  wider  use  of  new  communications  systems  contributes  to 
growth  and  employment  in  the  economy  as  a  whole.  ACTS  RTD 
contributes  directly to  new forms  of secure electronic  commerce  and to 
widening  employment  opportunities  by  allowing  new  ways  to  work, 
particularly various forms of teleworking. These developments are now at 
the centre of European  and national  strategies for  employment  and small 
business innovation. 

The  link  between  sustainable  growth  and  the  emergence  of  an 
information  society  was  strengthened  in  1997  through  initiatives  in the 
Information  Society  Forum  and  the  ACTS  programme.  A group  of  16 
projects  have  combined  their  efforts  to  promote  the  use  of  new 
communications systems for sustainability through common guidelines. 

In  the  area  of  electronic  commerce,  the  common  guidelines  for 
interoperability  and consumer protection  published  in  1998 build directly 
on cooperation within the ACTS programme framework.  This agreement 
will further  strengthen the single market  and will stimulate faster  take-up 
of  new  business  practices  by  SMEs,  with  consequential  benefits  for 
employment. 

Work programme for 1998 

A major technical audit of all ACTS projects has already been carried out 
in late January  1998. This clears the way for both re-orientation  of some 
work  and  for  launching  the  new  projects  selected  following  the  call  for 
proposals  in  1997.  Commitments  of  budget  resources  will  therefore  be 
completed by mid-'98, and the focus of effort  will then be on maximising 
benefits  of  the  results,  and  in  ensuring  a  smooth  transition  to  the 
information  society part of the Fifth Framework Programme. 

Cooperation  with  organisations  in  Central  and  Eastern  Europe  will  be 
substantially  strengthened  with  the  new  projects  in  1998.  In  addition, 
science and technology agreements with Israel and the USA will underpin 
growing cooperation with major companies in these countries. 

26 

3.  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES  (ESPRIT) 

ESPRIT  fostered  progress  on  two  fronts - RTD  and  use  of  information 
technologies  (IT) - and  continued  to  contribute  towards  making  all 
European industry more competitive.  The accent was placed on involving 
users  and  suppliers  at  an  early  stage,  while  the  choice  of  activities  was 
dictated  by  the  prospects  for  industrial  application.  Accompanying 
measures are an integral part of the RTD projects, the principal  objective 
being to promote the take-up of IT in a wide variety of sectors. 

Activities  in 1997 

Three  new  calls  for  proposals  were  published,  based  on  a  work 
programme updated annually with the twin objectives of taking account  of 
the latest  data on technological  and industrial  changes and of introducing 
a  new  thematic  approach.  This  provides  a  means  of  overcoming  the 
degree  of  fragmentation  caused  by  a  field-by-field  approach  and  of 
focusing  on finding answers  to  key  issues  such  as  electronic  commerce, 
mobility,  access to information and interfaces,  apprenticeship  and training 
in  industry.  Joint  calls  for  proposals  were  also  published,  in  conjunction 
with  the  industrial  and  materials  technologies  programme:  one  on 
intelligent  manufacturing  systems  (an  area  also  covered  by  international 
cooperation),  the  other  on  aeronautics.  Finally,  the  ACTS  and  ESPRIT 
calls  for  proposals  each  allocated  ECU  10  million  to  subjects  related  to 
satellite  communications.  These  activities  and  the  follow-up  work  on 
subjects  such  as  intellectual  property rights (IPR)  and  the  Web  ensured 
close coordination between the programmes concerned. 

Estimates put the proportion of new participants at around  30%. For the 
programme as a whole, the success rate over the period  1994 to  1997 for 
all procedures combined was around 20%. 

SMEs (around 85% of them employing fewer than  100 staff)  are involved 
in  75%  of  the  projects.  They  receive  25%  of  the  total  funding  and 
represent 34% of all participations. Big companies receive 41% and make 
up 28% of the participations. Partnerships between  small firms (suppliers) 
and  big  companies  (users)  are  common.  The  number  of  exploratory 
awards is also increasing gradually and totalled 85 by the end of 1997. 

At  the  end  of  1997  some  2%  of  the  ESPRIT  projects  involved  an 
organisation  from  a non-EU  country. Nine  of the twelve  projects  started 
on intelligent manufacturing systems included an EU organisation. Finally, 
53  new  INCO  projects  on  IT  started  in  1997,  of  which  33  were  with 
Central and Eastern European countries and the New  Independent  States 
and 12 with Mediterranean countries. 

supplements 

The  PROSOMA  multimedia  database 
sectoral 
dissemination  and  information  activities.  It  contains  the  results  of  280 
ESPRIT projects but more are being added constantly and it should fill up 
considerably 
is  accessible  on-line 
(http://www.cordis.lu/esprit/home.html). CD-ROMs are released regularly 
and  publications  are  distributed  at  events  such  as  the  annual  conference 
(EITC-97). 

the  course  of  1998. 

the 

in 

It 

27 

Examples of results 

Electricity consumption by 
the key components of 
portable telephones has 
been reduced to one-fifth. 
Use of a multi-chip 
module, in turn, has 
allowed further big 
reductions in weight, size 
and thickness. 

Technological 
breakthroughs on large 
dimensions and high 
brightness have been 
achieved for flat active 
liquid crystal matrix 
displays and will be 
applied in television for 
professional use and the 
general public, for both 
front and rear projection. 

Considerable progress has 
been made with electronic 
signatures, confidentiality 
systems and cryptography. 
This greater security is the 
key to the success of 
electronic commerce. The 
results obtained  from 
several projects are now 
being marketed in the 
USA, amongst other 
places. 

The  principal  recommendations  made  in  the five-yearly evaluation  of  the 
programme  and  during  the  annual  monitoring  are  to  bring  together  the 
ITC  programmes  in  a  single  programme,  to  speed  up  the  time  to  market 
the results, for  example  by shortening  the projects  from  an  average  of 25 
months  today  to  18  months,  to  fund  projects  by  infant  companies,  to 
develop  a  common  view  of  RTD  and  market  trends  and,  finally,  to 
simplify  and  speed  up the administrative  procedures  and make them  more 
flexible. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

Strengthening  Europe's  science  and  technology  base  and  industrial 
competitiveness 

ESPRIT  provides  companies  in  Europe  with  the  means  to  acquire  the 
technological  know-how  essential 
in  order  to  achieve  the  highest 
competitiveness,  with  the  aid  of  cooperation  between  some  4 210 
companies  and  2 200  research  centres  and  university  teams.  It  supports 
important  RTD  activities  in  essential  fields  such  as  technologies  for 
components  and  subsystems,  software  technologies,  high-performance 
computing,  on-board  systems,  multi-site  and  network  applications, 
technologies  for  business  processes  and  electronic  commerce,  multimedia 
systems,  microprocessors,  integration  in  manufacturing  and  long-term 
research. 

ESPRIT  is  open  to  all  industries.  Users  account  for  around  60%  of  the 
industrial  participation,  a  sure  sign  that  the  programme  is  spreading 
throughout  the  economic  fabric.  By  way  of  example,  microelectronic 
components  and  microprocessors  now  account  for  20%  of  the  value  of 
electronic  systems - a  world  market  which  will  be  worth  an  estimated 
US$  1 160  billion  by  the  year  2000.  In  many  sectors  it  is  vital  for 
undertakings to have the capacity to incorporate the know-how specific to 
their  products  in  silicon-based  components  combining  hardware  and 
software  functions.  ESPRIT  can  also  have  a  strong  potential  impact  on 
industrial  competitiveness  and  employment.  One  study  showed  that  80% 
of  the  400  projects  analysed  ended  in  industrial  application  within  five 
years  of  completion.  Another  on  a  limited  but  representative  sample  of 
projects  on  high-performance  computing  (HPCN)  showed  a ratio  of  over 
8  between  direct  effects  and  Community  funding  and  of over  2.4  for  the 
indirect  effects.  It  is widely  recognised  that  ESPRIT  plays a decisive  role 
in progress in all IT in Europe. 

By  encouraging  first  experimental  use  of  microelectronics  (FUSE),  best 
software  practice  (ESSI),  integration  in  manufacturing  (IiM)  and,  more 
generally,  take-up  of  IT  in  all the fields covered,  ESPRIT  provides firms 
from  all  sectors,  particularly  SMEs,  with  tangible  means  of  increasing 
their industrial  competitiveness. 

High-performance 
computing has 
substantially improved the 
efficiency  of on-line visual 
inspection  systems, for 
example in the steel or 
textiles industry, and for 
sorting and routing mail. 
Germany's young 
entrepreneurs'  prize went 
to a participant  in ESPRIT 
for  an automated  system 
for  sorting coffee  beans 
and other fruit,  which is 
now exported to several 
countries. 

A  post-production 
multimedia system for 
conversion  of all recording 
formats  was launched on the 
market in March  1998. It 
seems to be in a class of its 
own at the moment. It has 
won  several international 
prizes already. 

An intelligent robot system 
for  automatic paving and 
brick-laying is being used at 
various sites in Europe, 
where it has brought 
considerable productivity 
and quality gains. 

28 

Contribution to other Community  policies 

ESPRIT  contributes  to  completion  of the  single market  on  several  fronts: 
with  regard  to  general  intellectual  property  and  copyright  issues,  the 
specific  nature  of  software  and  IT  issues  has  been  taken  into  account 
effectively  and  transparently.  Looking  ahead  to  the  year  2000,  a  recent 
communication discussed  smooth  operation  of transfrontier  infrastructure, 
particularly  for  telecommunications, 
transport,  energy  and  financial 
services. As for  conversion  to the euro, procedures  have been  established 
to  identify  common  problems  and  to  provide  a  channel  for  exchanging 
information  on best practice. 

ESPRIT  has helped  to  increase  cohesion,  thanks  to  521  participations  by 
organisations  from  objective  1 regions  between  1995  and  1997,  giving 
them access to over half the work carried  out under this programme. 

ESPRIT  not  only  organises  numerous  advanced  training  schemes  on 
essential  subjects  ranging  from  microelectronics  to  software  technologies 
but  also  helps to  ensure wider  Internet  use  in  schools, for  example  in the 
form  of  "Netd@ys".  It  is  supporting  the  establishment  of  a  European 
network for  schools (Schoolnet) and the rural world  and a pilot project  on 
an  IT  knowledge  passport  aiming  at  a  target  population  of  100  000 
persons from 13 countries and extending to Eastern European  countries. 

Several  other  ESPRIT  projects  are  focusing  on  various  environmental 
applications of IT: for  effective  crisis management  (for fires, floods, etc.), 
appropriate treatment  of water in the event  of accidents causing  pollution, 
various issues relating to energy saving, pollution  control, etc. 

Finally, ESPRIT  plays a role in humanitarian  action,  by allocating  around 
ECU  15  million  to  the  development  of  effective  methods  for  detecting 
anti-personnel mines. 

Work programme for 1998 

The  11th  and  final  call  for  proposals  was  published  in  March  1998.  It 
covers  three  areas  in  the  programme  (TCS,  HPCN  and  IiM)  and  has  a 
budget  of  ECU 32.4  million.  The  annual  conference/exhibition  on  the 
programme  will  be  extended  to  the  other  ICT  programmes  and  will  be 
held  outside Brussels  for  the first time - in Vienna  from  30 November  to 
2 December  1998 under the title "1ST  '98  Vienna".  As in  1997, it will be 
transmitted  to  several  countries  by  satellite  and  will  provide  a  setting  for 
special  events  such  as the  Investment  Forum  and  the  presentation  of  the 
ITEA prizes.  A large proportion  of the  activities  in  1998 will  be  devoted 
the  Fifth 
to  preparing 
Framework  Programme. 

information  society  programme  under 

the 

A rethink of the chain 
between fishermen, 
wholesalers and retailers has 
led to the development  of an 
electronic system, using IT 
and  satellite 
communications, for  selling 
catches from the  fishing 
boat, revolutionising  fishing 
and distribution conditions. 
The same system can be 
applied  to other activities. 

The TEN 34 project  (in 
collaboration  with the 
Telematics and ACTS 
programmes) has 
established 34 Mbyte 
interconnections between 
the national research 
networks for  researchers 
from all disciplines. 
Upgrades to  155 Mbytes 
are now being studied. 

Automatic lip-reading, 
combined with voice 
recognition, has resulted in 
commercial  applications for 
dubbing of actors and 
teaching foreign  languages. 

29 

INDUSTRIAL  TECHNOLOGIES 

4.  INDUSTRIAL  AND MATERIALS  TECHNOLOGIES  (IMT) 

Activities  in  1997 

The  main  activity  in  1997  was  implementation  and  management  of  the 
calls for  proposals  for  RTD projects,  of the thematic  networks  and  of the 
CRAFT  projects  and  negotiation  of  the  projects  recommended  for 
Community funding.  The number of proposals received  in  1997 was up on 
the previous year  to  11*40 RTD  projects,  156 thematic  networks  and  840 
CRAFT projects  (both types). The percentage  accepted  by the  evaluators 
was also up to  around  37%, 55% and  60%, with funding  totalling  around 
ECU 702 million, ECU 54 million and ECU 74.6 million respectively. 

The efforts  to stimulate basic research bore fruit  and attracted  an adequate 
response in terms of numbers and quality of proposals,  easily attaining the 
target  set  (10%  of the  budget).  A major  milestone  was  also  passed,  with 
more than half the existing thematic networks  set up in the course of  1997 
alone. 

The  schemes  started  in  1996  to  encourage  SMEs  to  participate  in 
CRAFT-type  projects  produced  promising  results,  with  the  number  of 
proposals  up  by  60%  compared  with  1996,  the  proportion  rejected  as 
ineligible  down  to  under  15% and  a  selection  rate  of  over  60%.  These 
schemes continued  in 1997. 

ECU  11  million  was  committed 
to  preparatory,  accompanying  and 
support  measures,  particularly  conferences,  training  grants,  support  for 
SMEs and  workshops  and  studies in preparation  for  the Fifth  Framework 
Programme.  The  seventh  conference  on  industrial  technologies  was  held 
in  Toulouse,  where  the  central  theme  was  European  research  at  the 
service  of  citizens,  focusing  on  three  areas  of  industrial  research  with  an 
impact  on  everyday  life:  the urban  environment,  the  factory  of the  future 
and  aeronautics - three  topics  at  the  heart  of  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme. 

In  its  1997  report  the  monitoring  panel  found  that  the  quality  indicators 
used  by the  programme  were  an  extremely  useful  tool  for  monitoring  the 
performance  and  impact  of  projects.  As  regards  take-up  of  results,  the 
panel  recommended  placing  greater  emphasis  on  quantified  application 
plans and economic forecasts  during the research phase. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

Objectives  such  as  industrial  competitiveness,  economic  growth,  quality 
of life,  environmental  protection  and  industrial  safety  are  an  integral  part 
of  the  programme.  The  multidisciplinary  projects  are  carried  out  by 
partnerships  bringing  together  suppliers,  manufacturers,  universities  and 
users, thereby  ensuring application  of the results in as many industries and 
countries as possible. 

Examples  of  results 

Safety  of high-speed 
trains is a constant 
concern.  A partnership of 
rolling stock 
manufacturers,  research 
centres and railway 
operators from four EU 
countries has designed a 
new type of wagon with 
low distortion  of the 
passenger  compartments. 
A new European  safety 
standard was proposed. 

An original application of 
laser beams provides a 
means of cleaning every 
nook and cranny of 
ancient monuments or 
other buildings. The laser 
beam, guided by optical 
fibres  and set to the 
appropriate intensity, is 
capable of hitting precise 
small target zones and 
cleaning highly irregular 
surfaces.  This innovation 
is fully  compatible with 
the material cleaned and 
the environment and 
offers  safer  working 
conditions as well. 

30 

A joint project between 
the chemical and tanning 
industries has produced a 
new clean process for 
treating pelts producing 
high-quality leather while 
at the same time cutting 
production costs. This 
project enables the 
industry to adapt to the 
increasingly severe 
Community rules on 
environmental protection 
while remaining 
competitive. 

Nickel, particularly in 
jewellery and bracelets, is 
a prime cause of allergic 
reactions. In one CRAFT 
project,  15 jewellers and 
6 research bodies have 
developed a technology 
to limit the adverse 
effects of nickel and new 
alloys causing no allergy 
to replace it. This keeps 
these firms' activities in 
tune with public demand 
for healthier products. 

The  1997  evaluation  of  recently  completed  projects  found  that  over 
three-quarters  of  the  participants  had  fully  attained  their  objectives  in 
terms  of  strengthening 
industry's  S&T  base  and  that  two-thirds 
considered the results of their projects ahead of the state of the art, in that 
technological 
they 
developments. 

scientific  knowledge  with 

combined  new 

The  same  study  demonstrated  that  the  majority  of  the  projects  had  an 
economic  impact  and*  made  the  undertakings  more  competitive.  In 
particular,  almost  half  generate  potential  economic  activity  worth  over 
ECU 5 million  within five years  of completion.  To  be  more  precise,  this 
adds  up  to  a  total  economic  gain  of  over  ECU  11  billion  from  all  the 
industrial  research  projects  selected  during  the  current  programme  in 
return for Community funding totalling ECU 1.3 billion. 

Almost two-thirds of the projects analysed in 1997 produced results likely 
to  bring  environmental  benefits:  energy  savings,  lower  discharges  of 
hazardous  products,  smaller  amounts  of  materials  used,  etc.  They  also 
brought  spin-offs  for health and working conditions in areas such as user 
safety,  quality  of  the  working  environment  and  use  of  less  hazardous 
products. 

The  recent  analysis  of the  projects  completed  showed  that  36%  offered 
potential  for direct job creation by the partners responsible for application 
of the results.  Only  10% could have adverse effects  in this area. In all, by 
the  end  of the  programme  almost  500  industrial  entities  will  be  applying 
an implementation plan generating direct employment. 

The projects in the IMT programme,  some of them with budgets  of over 
ECU  10  million,  seek  to  attain  the  critical  mass  necessary  in  order  to 
tackle  strategic  technologies  (see  boxes  for  examples)  and  to  produce 
practical  results,  particularly  in fields requiring  highly  intensive  research. 
For example, the economic importance of the boom in air traffic  forecast 
during  the  next  ten  years  has  unleashed  fierce  competition  between 
European  and US  manufacturers.  Technological  progress  is  a key  factor 
in this competition. 

In  1997,  the  IMT  programme  granted  30  research  projects  in  strategic 
fields  for  the  European  aviation  industry  Community  support  totalling 
ECU 85  million.  Half  focused  exclusively  on  technologies  relating  to 
aircraft  efficiency,  one particularly competitive field of research.  The vast 
majority of the European industrialists concerned  are involved.  Their own 
resources  and the national  funding  for RTD in the  aviation  sector  would 
not be enough for them to see this research through on their own. 

31 

This  example  vividly  illustrates  the  European  added  value  which  the 
programme can generate, particularly in fields of strategic importance for 
the EU economy. 

Work programme for 1998 

The evaluation process will concentrate on: 

• 

• 

• 

the two joint  calls for  proposals published  on 31 October  1997, one 
on water together with the Environment  and  Climate Programme, the 
other  on  concurrent  engineering  in  aeronautics,  together  with  the 
Information Technologies Programme; 
the call for proposals published on  15 April  1997, in conjunction with 
the  Information  Technologies  Programme,  under  the  Agreement  on 
international cooperation in research and development in the domain of 
intelligent  manufacturing  systems,  as  approved  by the  Council  on 27 
January 1997; 
technological  stimulation  in  favour  of  SMEs  (CRAFT),  thematic 
networks and accompanying measures: the closing date for this call for 
proposals is 20 May 1998. 

Scientific  monitoring of progress on the 823 RTD projects selected since 
1995 will, of course, continue to be one of the main activities in 1998. 

Preparation  of  activities  under  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  will be 
another  essential  task.  As  last  year,  workshops  and  studies  will  be 
organised  to  contribute  towards  the  preparations  for  the  thematic 
programme  on  "Competitive  and  sustainable  growth"  under  the  next 
Framework Programme. 

Some industrial 
processes are at the 
mercy of fluctuating raw 
material quality, yet the 
quality of the end 
product must remain the 
same. One project used 
artificial intelligence in 
timber and pulp 
production to predict the 
quality of the end 
product from data on the 
raw material and on 
progress with the 
production process. 
Industrial users' energy, 
water and starch 
consumption and the 
volume of waste 
generated have plunged 
as a result. 

A new industrial process has sharply cut the cost of the chemicals used for recycling aluminium. The 
technology has been tested and should bring considerable economic benefits in the years ahead. The 
partners on this project are about to obtain a European patent. 

32 

5.  MEASUREMENT  AND  TESTING 

Activities  in  1997 

In  1997 over 300 proposals were evaluated, the majority  on theme I in the 
programme  -  "measurements  for  quality  European  products"  - and  the 
targeted 
and  European 
standardisation.  A  total  of  145  projects  received  Commission  funding 
totalling ECU 37 million in 1997. 

support  Community  policies 

calls 

to 

The procedure was completed for the following  calls for  proposals: 

RTD projects: 
Under the  second  call  for  theme I in the  programme,  104 proposals  were 
evaluated,  47  of which  were  selected.  So  far  39  projects  have  received  a 
Community  contribution  totalling  ECU 22 million.  In  response  to  the 
fourth  and  fifth  targeted  calls,  62  proposals  were  received,  34  of  which 
were  selected.  The  Commission  granted  a  total  of  ECU  8 million  to 
20 projects.  Overall,  at  least  one third  of the  partners  in all these  projects 
are from  industry (50% SMEs). 

Technology  stimulation for  SMEs/CRAFT: 
There  was  a  marked  increase  in  the  response  from  SMEs  in  1997,  with 
over  twice  as  many  proposals  evaluated  -  86  compared  with  41  in  1996. 
The Commission granted  35 projects  a total of over ECU 2 million. 

Thematic networks and accompanying measures: 
totalling 
Under  the  continuously  open  call  for  proposals,  funding 
ECU 2 million  was  granted  to  17  new  networks  and  34  accompanying 
measures received  support totalling over ECU 2 million. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

The  programme  has  contributed  to  several  major  Community  policy 
objectives.  The research  supported  by the programme has a strong  impact 
on industry, trade and  society  in general  and the results are a prime means 
of  protecting  consumers,  health,  public  safety  and  the  environment,  as 
illustrated by the examples described  in the boxes and below. 

their  efficacy 

against  harmful  ultraviolet 

Out of concern  to  improve the quality of suncreams on the world  market, 
the  European  cosmetics  industry  has  proposed  a  work  programme  to 
verify 
radiation.  The 
telecommunications  industry  in  turn  needs  precise  evaluation  of  the 
electromagnetic  radiation  emitted  by  portable  telephones  in  order  to 
define  conditions  ensuring  greater  reliability  for  users.  These  measures 
will  make  European  industry  more  competitive  by  putting  on  the  world 
market  products  inspected  and  labelled  in  accordance  with  recognised 
scientific  methods.  Turning  to  the  measures  to  support  standardisation, 
the results  of a method  for  testing  the  performance  of  liquid  solvents  less 
harmful  to  the  ozone  layer,  together  with  the  establishment  of  the 
European  network  of  police  science  laboratories,  will  incontestably 
generate  Community  added  value,  since  all  these  measures  concern  key 
sectors for the European  Union. 

33 

Examples  of results 

Acoustical thermometry. 
measurement  of 
temperatures from  1000°C 
to  1500°C.  This 
thermometer uses ceramics 
capable of withstanding 
high temperatures. It 
provides a means of 
calibrating other 
thermometers. Lively 
interest has been shown in 
this innovation in the USA, 
where there is nothing of 
the kind on the market. 
Work is under way to 
extend the range of the 
thermometer beyond 
2000°C. At the same time 
this instrument  is allowing 
decisive progress in 
manufacturing  processes 
for  ceramics (estimated 
market: ECU 5 million per 
year). 

Measurement  of 
carcinogenic polycyclic 
hydrocarbons in table oils 
calls for highly 
sophisticated  methods of 
analysis, for which it is 
essential to develop 
reference  materials in 
order to verify  the validity 
of the measurements. One 
project  has allowed 
certification  of the first 
two materials in this  field. 
Some 2000  inspection 
laboratories are potential 
users of these materials 
(estimated  market: 
ECU 2 million per year). 

The Commission further  underlined  the advantages  of standardisation  in a 
communication  entitled  "Research  and  standardisation"  drafted  in  1997 
and  adopted  by the  Commission  on  27 January  1998  (COM(98) 31).  The 
objective is to give greater consideration to the prenormative dimension  at 
an  early  enough  stage  in the  research  and  innovation  programmes  under 
the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  in  order  to  make  European  industry 
more competitive  and improve the quality  of products  and  services to  the 
benefit  of consumers and citizens. 

Work programme for 1998 

The priority will be to make a start  on  the  projects  selected  following  the 
1997  calls  for  proposals  with  a  view  to  building  up  Europe's  metrology 
infrastructure,  primarily  in  the  fields  of  chemistry  and  biology,  and 
defining  the  measurements  and  tests  which  customs  laboratories  require 
for  monitoring  trade  in goods,  for  confirming  the  origin  of  products  and 
for  cultural heritage and forensic medicine purposes. 

Finally,  to  mark  the  25th  anniversary  of  the  Community  Bureau  of 
References  (BCR), a conference  on measurements  for  tomorrow  bringing 
together the leading players in the field of metrology  from  Europe and the 
rest of the world is planned in Brussels in November  1998. 

Commitment  appropriations  totalling  ECU 43 million  are  available  in 
1998,  inter  alia for  funding  the  projects  selected  in  response  to  the  1997 
calls for  proposals  and the sixth targeted  call. ECU 9 million is  earmarked 
for  cooperative  research  projects  (CRAFT),  ECU 3 million  for  the final 
package  of  thematic  networks  and  ECU 2 million  for  accompanying 
measures. 

Detection of steaming-up 
of goggles: The principal 
cause of eye injuries due 
to industrial accidents is 
the removal of goggles 
during dangerous work 
because they have 
steamed up on the inside. 
This project  has 
developed  a mini-camera 
capable of detecting the 
environmental  conditions 
leading to steaming up. 
This method will 
supplement 
Directive 89/686/EEC 
relating to personal 
protective equipment. 
The project  will help to 
reduce the number of 
accidents, which cost an 
estimated 
ECU 220 million every 
year. 

New collector for  measuring low gas flows 
The margin of error in air pollution analyses is 25%, mainly due to unreliability on the part of the 
flowmeters. The Milogas project  has developed  a new instrument using a silicon collector 
manufactured  with the aid of micromechanics. The principal applications are in medicine, air 
pollution analyses, mining, etc. The estimated  market will be  10 000 instruments over the next 3 
years at a unit cost of ECU 200. The research and production  costs will total ECU  1  million. 

34 

ENVIRONMENT 

6.  ENVIRONMENT  AND  CLIMATE 

Activities  in  1997 

Main  programme  implementation  activities  in  1997  related  to  the  launch 
and evaluation  of the final calls for proposals for the second  phase of the 
programme  (1997-1998).  The  second  main  call  for  proposals  covering 
most  areas of the  programme,  together  with the  call, for  the  relaunch  of 
the  ENRICH  initiative  (European  Network  for  Research  in  Global 
Change)  ultimately  led  to  the  selection  of  306  high  quality  proposals, 
involving an EU contribution of ECU 205 million, for funding in 1997 and 
the  early  part  of  1998.  However,  there was  a disappointing  outcome in 
the  number  and  quality  of  proposals  submitted  for  the  potential 
operational instruments theme of the space techniques area and ENRICH. 
Consequently,  calls for  these  activities  were  reopened  in the  second  half 
of  1997  and  associated  awareness  campaigns  succeeded  in  producing 
better  quality  proposals.  A  call  for  the  Centre  for  Earth  Observation 
(CEO) was also launched in the middle of  1997.  These further space calls 
led to  32  RTD  projects for  an EU contribution  of ECU  32  million  being 
selected  for  funding  in  1998  for  CEO  activities  and  pre-development  of 
new  space  sensors  in  various  domains  such  as  forest  fire  or  vegetation 
monitoring. 

Core horizontal  and support activities have continued to provide the vital 
underpinning for implementing the strategic objectives of the programme. 
The concerted campaign undertaken by the Commission services, with the 
assistance  of  national  focal  points,  to  make  SMEs  aware  of  the 
opportunities  to  participate  in  RTD  at  EU  level  has  now  started  to 
increased  responses:  as  many  exploratory  and 
produce  significant, 
CRAFT  awards  were  granted  in  1997  under  the  technology  stimulation 
measures  as  in  the  whole  of  the  first  phase  of  the  programme  (46 
exploratory  awards  and  11  CRAFT  awards  have  now  been  made 
available).  Improving  the  human research  potential,  particularly  through 
assuring  an  appropriately  qualified  environmental  scientific  community, 
has  continued  to  be  a  focus  of  the  programme,  with  financial  support 
being  provided  in  1997  for  a further  37  training  grants  (72  so  far under 
the  programme),  13  advanced  study  courses  (22  in  total  under  the 
programme)  and  a  significant  number  of  workshops,  seminars  and 
conferences  organised or sponsored under the programme. 

Introduced  in  1997  were  a  new  evaluation  manual  (made  available  in 
advance to proposers and aiming at greater transparency  and objectivity), 
a pre-checking  service for  potential  proposers,  as well  as the  scrutiny by 
independent  observers  of the new  evaluation  procedures.  The  observers 
have  been  broadly  supportive  and  positive  towards  the  new  evaluation 
manual, the process and its implementation. 

Over 80% of all A-rated proposals and one out of every two  high quality 
proposals (A and B-rated)  have been funded  since the programme  started 
-  overall  684  RTD  projects  and  concerted  actions  have  to  date  been 
evaluated  positively  for  funding  under  the  programme.  But  a  specific 

35 

Examples of results 

The PROVOST project 
forecasts global rainfall 
probability.  The partners 
have been remarkably 
successful  in producing 
six-month forecasts of El 
Nino and associated 
global impacts (e.g. dry 
and wet conditions). 

In May, the first scientific 
conference of ELOISE 
(European Land Ocean 
Interaction Studies) 
assembled  150 scientists 
from  15 projects.  IGBP 
- LOICZ is recognising 
ELOISE as the ÈU 
contribution to global 
change research in the 
coastal zone. 

The first "European 
Conference on research 
for the protection of 
cultural heritage: 
Opportunities for 
European Enterprises" 
(Rome, December 1997), 
consolidated the 
European networks 
established under EU 
projects and contributed 
to reinforcing SME 
competitiveness in this 
area. 

problem  relates  to  ensuring  that  only  good  proposals  addressing  the 
targets  and  objectives  of  calls  are  submitted.  Despite  the  detailed 
evaluation  criteria  set  out  in the  new  evaluation  manual,  the  pre-checking 
offered  by the  Commission  services,  and  encouraging  potential  proposers 
to  auto-evaluate  their  proposals  before* submission,  more  than  half  of the 
proposals  evaluated  in  1997  did  not  pass  the  threshold  for  scientific  and 
technical  quality  and  project  management.  Considerable  resources  are 
devoted  to proposal  preparation  and  evaluation,  and  all involved  in RTD, 
including  European  and  national  focal  points,  networks  disseminating 
information  on  the  programme  and  Member  States,  must  discourage 
submission of lower quality proposals. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

for  subsequent  application  and  development 

Contribution  to  the  reinforcement  of  the  S&T  bases  in  industry  and  of 
competitiveness:  many  of  the  outputs  of  the  programme  have  significant 
potential 
for  global 
exploitation,  especially  in  relation  to  environmental  technologies  and 
sustainable  development.  Pockets  of  high  industrial  participation  are 
found  in  the  areas  perceived  to  be  of  more  direct  relevance  to  industry, 
such  as  environmental  technologies  and  space  where  two-thirds  of  the 
projects  selected  for  funding  to  date  involve  one  industrialist  or  more, 
including  one  SME  or  more  in  about  44%  of  the  projects.  Almost  a 
quarter  of  all the  participants  funded  in  these  areas  involve  industrialists 
(13% SMEs). 

Contribution  to  other  Community  policies:  ongoing  activities  under  the 
programme  and  the  organisation  of  a  series  of  seminars  provided  key 
inputs  to  the  Kyoto  negotiations  on  the  UN  Convention  on  Climate 
Change  and  will  continue  to  be  a  major  basis  in  the  preparation  for  the 
follow-up  Buenos  Aires  conference,  particularly  on  the  tradable  permits 
and  "sinks"  issues.  The  breadth  of  projects  continues  to  provide  the 
sound  scientific  basis  needed  for  the  development  of  environmental 
policies, 
the  Fifth  Environmental  Action 
Programme  and  the  preparation  of  its  follow-up.  Work  under  the  space 
techniques  area  of the  programme  will  provide  the  platform  in  1998  for 
identifying  the  information  needs  of  the  EU  for  future  operational  space 
missions,  for  the  preparation  of  a  Commission  action  plan  for  earth 
observation  by  satellite,  and  for  developing  a  European  policy  (with 
Member  States,  ESA  and  EUMETSAT)  and  an  integrated  strategy 
(CEOS) for  earth  observation. 

implementation  of 

the 

Work programme for  1998 

The major  activities in  1998 for  the  programme  under  the 4th  Framework 
Programme  will  centre  around  the  remaining  open  calls,  in  particular, 
relating  to  the  supplementary  funding  of  ECU  7  million  decided  by  the 
Council  and  European  Parliament  on  1  December  1997  for  activities 
relating to water,  a further  "tranche" for  advanced  study courses, the final 
selection round for the CRAFT awards for  SMEs closing on  1  April  1998, 
and two further  selection rounds for training grants. 

Attention  will  also  be  given  to  management  issues  which  have  arisen  in 
the existing programme  or highlighted  by annual monitoring panels. 

36 

Floods have increased in 
Europe.  A major 
concerted  action 
RIBAMOD  has  defined 
best practices for  flood 
plain management 

For green accounting, an 
approach of an 
environmentally  adjusted 
national product  has 
been developed  to orient 
statistical  and empirical 
modelling for  measuring 
future  economic -
environmental 
performance. 

Satellite remote  sensing 
is helping regional and 
national  governments 
decide the limits of new 
nature reserves, and 
managers of established 
reserves to plan 
developments, by 
mapping land cover and 
monitoring the health of 
the vegetation  in their 
areas.  Europe is now 
placing itself as a major 
and highly experienced 
contender in projects of 
this kind throughout  the 
world. 

Further  efforts  will  be  made  to  ensure  that  research  results  are  made 
available, quickly and in an understandable way, to potential  users ranging 
from  policy-makers to the business, industrial  and scientific  communities. 

The  necessary  instruments  and  tools  will  be  developed  for  the  smooth 
transition to the integrated  and problem-solving  approaches to be adopted 
for  environmental  activities  proposed 
the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme. 

for 

The VEGETATION 1 
space instrument in 
which the EU has 
invested ECU 50 million 
was  launched  on SPOT 
4 in March  1998 and the 
first data received from 
April  1998 onwards will 
be used for the benefit  of 
EU policies. 

Projects have shown how regulatory policies could 
be designed to promote cleaner technologies with 
both economic and environmental  advantages over 
traditional  strategies.  They show how 
environmental  sustainability objectives  can be 
coupled with competitiveness. 

37 

7.  MARINE  SCIENCES  AND  TECHNOLOGIES 

Activities  in  1997 

•  In  response  to  the  second  general  call  for  proposals  (closing  date. 
15 October  1996),  work  was  started  on  an  initial  package  of  34  RTD 
projects,  5  of  them  in  research  area  A  of  the  programme  ("Marine 
science").  The  largest  project  (OMEX-II,  involving  33  laboratories 
from  10  European  countries)  is  a  multidisciplinary  study  into  the 
margin  between  the  continental  shelf and  the  deep  seas  in  the  North-
East  Atlantic  (see  box).  Eight  of  the  11  projects  in  research  area  B 
("Strategic  marine  research")  focus  on  management  of  coastal  zones 
and  studying  typical  physical  phenomena  there  (sediment  transport, 
wave patterns), while the  other  three  are developing  improved  designs 
for  various  coastal  protection  structures  (sea  walls  and  breakwaters). 
Finally,  area  C  ("Marine  technology")  was  covered  by  18 projects  on 
such  diverse  subjects  as  communications  and  underwater  acoustics, 
seafloor  characteristics,  measurement  and  sampling  instrumentation 
(including  a  new  core  sampler  for  sediments),  remotely  operated 
underwater  vehicles  (ROVs)  and  also  research  to find bioindicators  of 
the state of the marine environment. 

•  On  17  June  1997  a  call  for  proposals  was  published  to  supplement 
In  1998 

activities  under  the  predictive  oceanography  programme. 
work will start on the projects  selected. 

•  Five  projects  were  started  as the MAST  programme's  contribution  to 
the  ENRICH  network,  run jointly  with  the  Environment  and  Climate 
and INCO programmes. 

•  Under  this  programme,  16  scholarships  were  granted  and  four 
advanced  courses  funded  on  ocean  forecasting,  the  role  of  methane in 
the marine environment, the dynamics of the wave-breaking  zone along 
rocky  coasts,  and  living  communities  in  the  vicinity  of  deep-sea 
hydrothermal  springs. 

•  A major  international  conference  on  recent  advances  in océanographie 
research  in the Mediterranean  region  was held  in Rome  from  17 to  19 
November.  A special  session  entitled  "From  océanographie  science  to 
society"  rnarked  the  start  of  a  dialogue  between  naturalists  and 
sociologists, two  sides of a single system  requiring  a holistic  approach. 
In January all the coordinators of the marine technology projects  met in 
Aberdeen  to  discuss,  with  the  Commission,  scientific  topics,  project 
management  and  ways  of improving  dissemination  of the  results.  The 
annual  meeting  on  the  ELOISE  (European  Land-Ocean  Interaction 
Studies) programme was held in Arcachon in May. 

•  The  1997 monitoring  report  made recommendations  for  measuring  the 
long-term  impact  of  the  projects. 
It  also  advocates  continuing  the 
approaches  made  to  SMEs  and  greater  focusing  of  the  advanced 
training. 

Examples  of results 

The EN AM (European 
North  Atlantic Margin) 
project  combines the 
efforts  of  14 research 
bodies acting with the 
agreement  of a partnership 
of oil companies  operating 
off Norway.  It is focusing, 
in particular,  on  identifying 
areas of the continental 
slope posing a risk of 
instability and should help 
the offshore  industry with 
siting of operations. 

The OMEX (Ocean 
Margin Exchange)  project 
is studying and attempting 
to quantify  exchanges of 
water and materials 
between the European 
continental  shelf and the 
open seas of the North 
Atlantic.  The CANIGO 
project  in turn is looking 
into the region under the 
direct influence  of the 
current  from  Gibraltar.  A 
sound  knowledge of these 
interactions and flows is 
necessary to evaluate the 
contribution  made by the 
European  margin and the 
Mediterrranean  to the 
processes leading to global 
change. 

38 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

•  Work  on 

the  four  major 

regional  projects  (MATER  for 

the 
Mediterranean,  BASYS  for  the  Baltic,  OMEX  for  the  North-East 
Atlantic and  CANIGO  for  the Canary  Islands-Azores-Gibraltar  region) 
continued.  Both  BASYS  and  MATER  cover  geographical  areas  with 
fragile  ecosystems  under  extremely  heavy  pressure  from  human 
activities.  They  are,therefore  key  projects  for  acquiring  the  scientific 
base for the Union's environment  policy in the regions concerned. 

•  All the  projects  in progress  reflect  the European  dimension  of RTD  in 
various  ways:  scale  (in  the  case  of  regional  projects),  geographical 
complementarity  of  sites  studied,  opportunity  to  set  up  networks  of 
laboratories  on-leading-edge  subjects  such  as  biodiversity  and  marine 
microbiology, 
the  design  of  unmanned  underwater  vehicles  and 
underwater  laboratories,  drilling  techniques  adapted  to  the  increasing 
depth  required  for  offshore  oil  exploration  or,  finally,  marine 
biotechnologies. 

•  Six  of 

the  projects  completed 

in  1997  concerned  physical 
oceanography  (currents,  transport  of materials  and  C02  absorption)  in 
the  North  Sea  and  North  Atlantic  and  seven  were  on  coastal  zones 
(impact  of  storms, restoration  of beaches,  breakwater  design,  mapping 
of seabed). 

•  The  products  emerging  from  this  research  in  1997  included  several 
CD-ROMs  containing  data  and  final  reports,  a  guide  to  electronic 
publication  of  project  data  and  the  development  of  a  website  on 
MAST. 

Work programme for  1998 

•  Start  of  the  second  package  of  projects  selected  after  the  second 

general  call for proposals. 

•  Start  of the  projects  selected  following  the  1997 calls for  proposals  on 

operational  oceanography,  supporting initiatives and ENRICH. 

•  Funding  of a new  set  of scholarships  and  advanced  courses and  aid  for 

small firms (exploratory  awards and CRAFT projects). 

•  Drafting  of work  programmes on the key actions making up the marine 

sciences component  of the Fifth  Framework  Programme. 

•  Organisation  of  the  third  European  Conference  on  Marine  Sciences 

and Technologies (former  "MAST Conference")  in May 1998. 

The CHABADA (Changes 
of bacterial  diversity and 
activity in eutrophied 
Mediterranean  waters) 
project  under the ELOISE 
programme on coastal 
ecosystems has 
demonstrated the adverse 
impact  of pollutants on 
bacterial biodiversity and, 
hence, on the food  chains 
in the seas concerned. 

The GEOSTAR 
(Geophysical and 
océanographie station for 
abyssal research)  project 
aims at developing a 
prototype underwater 
observatory capable of 
long-term  measurements 
of the principal 
geophysical and 
environmental  parameters 
at depths of down to 
4000 metres.  It is 
conceived  as the first link 
in a monitoring network 
for,  in particular, 
earthquake  prediction. 

The BENGAL  project  recently  discovered  abrupt  and totally unexpected  major  changes  in the  fauna 
almost  5000  metres  down  in  the  Atlantic.  The  next  question  is  whether  they  were  due  to  natural 
causes or human activity. 

39 

LIFE  SCIENCES  AND  TECHNOLOGIES 

8.  BIOTECHNOLOGY 

Activities  in 1997 

Objectives: 

In  1997  the  specific  programme  on  biotechnology  continued  to  pursue  its 
original  objectives:  to  understand  the mechanisms which  make the living cell 
so productive and to generate the knowledge needed for industrial progress in 
the areas targeted for Community intervention. 

To  concentrate  on  what  distinguishes  biotechnologies  from  other  modern 
technologies, the programme focuses on the following research areas:  the cell 
factory,  genome analysis, plant and animal biotechnology, cell communication 
in  neurosciences,  immunology  and  generic  vaccinology,  structural  biology, 
prenormative research, biodiversity and social acceptability, infrastructure and 
horizontal activities (demonstration activities; ethical, social and legal aspects; 
public perception; and socio-economic impact). 

RTD projects: 

Following  the  third  call  for  proposals  published  on  15  June  1996, 
contracts  were  concluded  to  grant  a  total  of  ECU  113.5  million  to  96 
projects  (eight  of  them  demonstration  projects)  covering  ten  areas, 
in-vitro 
including  somatic  gene  therapy, 
pharmaco-toxicology  or  biotechnology  for 
The 
demonstration  projects  concerned  prototype  vaccines  against  malaria  or 
HIV inter alia. 

immunological  substances, 

the  environment. 

The  fourth  call  for  proposals  issued  on  17  June  1997  attracted  572 
in 
proposals  which  were 
November  1997.  They included  75 proposals for  demonstration  projects. 
Biodiversity,  biosafety,  generic  vaccinology,  neurosciences,  animal 
models, sequencing and cell factories  were amongst the subjects  covered. 

independent 

evaluated 

experts 

by 

A joint  call  for  proposals  on  transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies 
was  launched  on  29 April  1997,  in  conjunction  with  the  two  other  life 
sciences  programmes.  From  the  66  proposals  evaluated  in  July  1997, a 
total  of  22  proposals  (seven  of  them  on  biotechnology)  were  selected 
under  the  three  life  sciences  programmes  and  will  receive  a  total  of 
ECU 21.3 million.  The biotechnology projects  concern prion transmission 
and  propagation,  evaluation  of  the  risk  of  transmission  of  bovine 
spongiform  encephalopathy  to  man  via  contaminated  food  and  the 
development  of methods of diagnosis and  of inactivation  of the  infectious 
agent causing transmissible spongiform  encephalopathy  in particular. 

Technology  stimulation  measures for  SMEs 

In  1997,  exploratory  awards  were  granted  to  35  proposals  covering 
subjects  such as somatic gene therapy to treat  neurodegenerative  diseases 

40 

Examples  of results 

1997 marked the end of 
the project on sequencing 
of the Bacillus subtilis 
genome.  The decoding of 
the 4000 or so genes of 
this bacterium opens the 
way for numerous 
applications in the agri-
food, pharmaceutical and 
detergents industries. 

The COLDZYME project to 
explore the properties of 
microbes living in 
extremely cold 
environments has 
discovered and patented 
an enzyme active at low 
temperatures.  This 
provides a means of 
cutting energy costs for 
processes in the food or 
pharmaceutical industries. 
One practical example 
would be a washing 
powder effective in the 
cold. 

(Alzheimer's,  Parkinson's  or  Huntington's  diseases)  or  the  synthesis  of 
peptides  for  use  as new  immunosuppressive  agents.  The  third  and  fourth 
calls  for  proposals  in  turn  reflected  the  growing  interest  shown  in 
biotechnologies by SMEs (which accounted  for 40% of the proposers). 

Research training  grants 

In  1997 a total  of  133 research training grants were awarded.  In addition, in 
April  1997 the biotechnology  programme paid  for  100 of these grantholders 
to  participate  in  a meeting  with  representatives  of the European  industry  to 
present the opportunities offered  by the biotechnology sector in Europe. 

Other accompanying measures 

A  workshop  on  the  spirit  of  enterprise  in  biotechnology  was  organised 
under  the  biotechnology  programme  in  June  1997.  It  brought  together 
the  world  of  academic  research,  the 
100  or  so  participants  from 
biotechnology  industry,  risk  capital  providers,  business  start-up  agencies 
or science parks in Europe to address questions such as:  Which sectors of 
biotechnology  research  are  the  most  conducive  to  business  start-ups? 
Which  measures  must  be  taken  iu  encourage  the  spirit  of  enterprise? 
Which  type  of  project  is best  suited  to  business  start-ups?  What  can  be 
done  to 
in  the 
development  of biotechnology firms? 

interactions  between 

leading  players 

improve 

the 

Following  a call for  proposals for  training grants for  practical  courses  in the 
field  of  biotechnology,  published  on  17  December  1996,  one  grant  was 
awarded in 1997. 

Contribution to Community RTD objectives 

Biotechnology  opens up numerous opportunities to  improve the quality of 
life  in  sectors  such  as  health  care,  chemical  manufacture,  agriculture  and 
the environment.  In the case of the environment,  the knowledge  acquired 
in  fields  such  as  microbial  diversity  or  biosafety  helps  to  answer  the 
relevant  ecological  issues.  One  of  the  principal  areas  of  activity  is 
bioremediation  of  polluted  compounds 
the  environment  using 
genetically modified  organisms. 

in 

the  biotechnology  programme 

Finally, the increase in industry's response to the third  call (77%) indicates 
towards 
that 
strengthening  the  science  base,  enabling  industry  to  become  more 
competitive at international  level. 

increasingly 

is  moving 

Work programme for 1998 

second 

joint  call 

A 
spongiform 
for  proposals  on 
encephalopathies  was  published  on  17  March  1998  and  will  close  on 
17 June 1998. 

transmissible 

All  the  contracts  based  on  the  fourth  call  and  on  the  two  joint  calls  on 
transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies  will  be  negotiated  and  concluded 
by the end of the vear.  A budget of around ECU  156 million will be set aside 
in  1998  for 
training  grants  and  other 
accompanying  measures  Finally, the  first  conference  of the  "Biotechnology' 
and  Finance  Forum"  is to  held  from  12 to  14 Mav  1 Q^S 

the  RTD  projects,  research 

Scientific  progress, 
combined with 
optimisation and 
standardisation  of 
methods, enabled 
QlAGEN to place kits for 
the detection and 
evaluation of plant 
biodiversity on the 
market in 1997. 
Practical  applications 
include verification  of the 
origin of certain types of 
wood used in 
winemaking. 

Gene therapy provides a 
means of making up for 
genetic deficiencies.  One 
pioneering project on 
muscular dystrophy, for 
example Duchennes 
disease, holds out hope 
of treatment.  This new 
approach uses bone 
marrow cells to 
compensate for the loss 
of muscle cells. 

9. BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH RESEARCH (BlOMED) 

Activities  in 1997 

Following the  second  call for  proposals,  125 projects  were  funded  for  an 
amount  of ECU 88 million. 

Examples of results 

The  evaluation  of the  proposals  received  for  the  third  (and  final)  call  for 
proposals  was  organised  in March  1997  and  concerned:  cancer  research; 
cardiovascular research; chronic diseases, ageing and  age-related  diseases; 
occupational  and  environmental  health;  rare  diseases;  public  health 
research;  biomedical  ethics;  ethical, 
legal  and  social  aspects;  and 
demonstration  projects. 

From  a  total  of  1002  proposals,  159  (approximately  16%)  have  been 
selected  for  a  total  EC  contribution  of  ECU  72.4  million  (to  be  funded 
from  the  1998 budget).  Another 36 proposals were put on a reserve list. 

On the  issue  of transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies  (TSE),  a joint 
call  for  proposals  for  RTD  activities  within  the  BIOTECH,  FAIR  and 
BIOMED  specific  research  programmes  was  launched  on  29  April  1997. 
As a result  of the  evaluation,  12 proposals  in the  field  of BIOMED  have 
been shortlisted  for  an EC contribution of ECU  12 million. 

The  report  of the  "Life  Sciences  and  Technology  interprogramme  group 
on  vaccines"  established  the  first  inventory  of  all  vaccine  research 
undertaken  with  Community  support  together  with  an  analysis  of  R&D 
activities currently being undertaken in the Member  States in this field. 

A workshop  on  synthetic  drugs  was organised  in  September  1997 which 
helped to  define  future  priorities for  research  on medical,  pharmacological 
and toxicological  issues of synthetic drug abuse. 

A  conference  under  the  title  "Diabetes  in  Europe  -  A  Major  Health 
Problem  and  a Research  Opportunity"  was  organised  by the  Commission 
in March  1997 to discuss future RTD priorities in this field. 

An  invitational  conference  on  the  occasion  of  the  Netherlands  EU 
presidency  on  "Innovative  research  and  appropriate  health  care  for  the 
citizens of Europe",  held in April  1997 in Noordwijk,  assembled  scientists 
and  decision-makers  around  the  question  of  how  public  health  research 
can  meet,  in  a  European  perspective,  the  health  needs  of  the  European 
population. 

As  a  follow-up  to  the  recommendations  of  the  monitoring  exercise  in 
1996 the programme  has endeavoured  to  improve  even  more the  existing 
review  process  notably  by  increasing  the  transparency  of  the  evaluation 
and  ameliorating  the  feedback  to  the  applicants.  Furthermore  strong 
emphasis  has  been  put  on  the  monitoring  of  ongoing  BIOMED  projects 
by  setting  up  a  new  project  review  board  consisting  of  internationally 
recognised  experts. 

A European  multi-centre 
study on schizophrenia 
involving eight European 
Member  States resulted 
in the identification  of an 
association between a 
specific  serotonine 
receptor gene and 
schizophrenia which can 
be considered  as a 
significant  breakthrough 
in the field  of psychiatric 
genetic research. 

A European group of 
geneticists working on 
human inherited 
neurosensorial  deafness 
were able to clone the 
first two genes 
responsible for isolated 
forms of deafness. 
Moreover the consortium 
was able to give a first 
insight into the molecular 
epidemiology of 
deafness.The  frequent 
involvement  of one of the 
numerous deafness  genes 
in the European 
population  offers  for the 
first time the opportunity 
to develop a molecular 
diagnostic test for 
counselling. 

42 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

to  pure  clinical  proposals.  Gene 

Research  in  the  cancer  area  is  covering  a  very  large  area  from  basic 
science 
therapy  approaches  are 
considered  in both  basic  molecular  science  projects  and  for  use  in clinical 
practice.  Particularly  strong  proposals  in  tumour  immunology  involve 
pharmaceutical  companies. 

In  the  cardiovascular  area  excellent  European  expertise  is  developing  in 
the  areas  of:  cellular  and  molecular  mechanisms  (e.g.. role  of  growth 
factors); genetic basis of diseases of high prevalence such as hypertension, 
coronary  heart  disease  and  stroke;  and  clinical  research  including  clinical 
trials and identification  of pertinent risk factors. 

Research  in the  area  of  chronic  diseases,  ageing  and  age-related  diseases 
puts  special  emphasis  on  chronic  inflammatory  diseases,  diabetes  and 
genetic  predisposition  of  age-related  changes.  Occupational  and 
environmental  health  research  proposals  relate 
to  musculoskeletal 
disorders,  sensitisation  against  occupationally  induced  allergens  and 
occupational  cancer risk. 

Several  proposals  in  the  area  of  rare  diseases  are  focusing  on  severe 
childhood  diseases.  One  project  aims  at  creating  a European  network  of 
information  centres for rare diseases. 

The  proposals  selected  in the  area  of  public  health  research  cover  topics 
such  as  prevention  and  surveillance  (notably  on  Creutzfeld  Jacob 
Disease);  cost  benefit  and  socio-economic  research  on  therapeutic 
outcomes; the use of new or known technologies and the quality of health 
care and health services research. 

In  biomedical  ethics  research  focuses  on:  end  of  life  and  palliative  care; 
autonomy  and  consent  for  vulnerable  patient  groups;  and  ethical  aspects 
of decision-making  procedures in various health settings. 

The horizontal  activity 'Ethical, Legal  and  Social Aspects'(EL S A)  reflects 
research  into  fundamental  values  and  methodologies  in bioethics,  embryo 
and foetus  protection,  and social implications of human genome research. 

Finally  the  selected  demonstration  projects  aim  to  prove  the  viability  of 
new  medical  practices  such  as  a  new  test  for  a  reliable  indicator  of 
cardiovascular  risk,  a  new  biomedical  technology  (hybrid-liver  support), 
and  innovative  surgical  practices  using  new  biodegradable  implants  for 
corrective surgery of rare craniofacial  syndromes. 

The selection  of the BIOMED-TSE  proposals  in the joint  call  strengthens 
and  complements  the  previous  BIOMED  selections  in  this  field.  It  also 
allows  the  development  of  a  comprehensive  European  research  effort  in 
essential  issues  such  as the  epidemiology  and  surveillance  of  human  SEs, 
the  harmonisation  of  clinical  and  diagnostic  procedures  and 
the 
characterisation  of the  role  of the  infectious  agent  in  the  development  of 
the disease(s). 

43 

A group  of European 
scientists examined the 
role of hypoxia on 
changes in the arterial 
wall that  might be 
atherogenic and 
discovered  that vascular 
endothelial growth  factor 
(VEGF) might protect 
against  atherosclerotic 
damage in the adult 
artery. This research 
gave rise to an 
international  patent for a 
potential new treatment 
for  arterial  disease using 
VEGF. As a follow-up a 
company "Eurogene' 
was set up with venture 
capital, which funds a 
relevant Phase I clinical 
trial but also  further 
research for new 
patentable agents and 
new pharmaceuticals in 
four  research  institutes in 
Europe. 

European  scientists have 
developed  a simple, 
sensitive and inexpensive 
method for recording the 
activity of individual 
neuronal  synapses in the 
brain. This technique will 
make it possible to assay 
the action of drugs and 
toxic substances on brain 
functions  such as learning 
and memory. 

J 

Work programme for 1998 
The  contracts  from  the  third  call  for  proposals  are  being  prepared. 
Specific efforts  will be made to disseminate and publish the results of the 
completed projects. Implementation of the Fifth Framework Programme's 
thematic  programme  on  "Quality  of  life  and  management  of  living 
resources"  will  be  prepared,  notably  by  drawing  up  the  specific 
programme,  work  programme,  calls  for  proposals  and  information 
packages.  The  first  Life  Sciences  Demonstration  Conference  will  take 
place in Uppsala in 1998.  Its aim is to help maximise the outcome of the 
life  sciences  demonstration  projects  under  the  Fourth  Framework 
Programme.  Participants  from  all  BIOMED  demonstration  projects  will 
be invited. 

44 

10.  A G R I C U L T U RE  AND  F I S H E R I ES  (including  agro-industry, 
aquaculture  and  rural  development) 

food 

technologies, 

forestry, 

Examples  of  results 

One  concerted  action 
produced  a set  of 
practical 
recommendations  to 
safeguard 
microbiological  safety  all 
along  the 
meat-production  chain, 
from  the  farm  to  the 
slaughterhouse  and  then 
throughout  processing 
and  distribution.  They 
will  be  extremely 
valuable  for  meat 
producers  and 
distributors  and  for 
national  and  Community 
inspectors. 

The  STORMS  project 
for  the  forestry  and 
timber  industry  has 
developed  forest 
management  strategies  to 
minimise  damage  by 
wind,  snow  and  fire 
without  diminishing  the 
quality  or  quantity  of 
timber  produced.  These 
results  have been  applied 
already  for  forest 
management  in  Sweden, 
Finland  and  the 
United  Kingdom  and 
should  be  adopted  all 
over Europe  very  soon. 

Activities  in  1997 

In  1997  the  specific  programme  for  agriculture  and  fisheries  continued  to 
pursue  its  original  objectives:  to  increase  the  competitiveness,  efficiency 
and  sustainability  of  agriculture  and  the  fishing  industry,  to  support  the 
Community  policies 
from 
consumers  for  wholesome  food. 

in  these  fields  and 

the  demand 

to  meet 

RTD  projects,  demonstration  projects  and  concerted  action: 
Following  the  fourth  and  fifth  calls  for  proposals,  on  13 February  and 
29  July  1997  the  Commission  adopted  decisions  selecting  147  research 
projects,  16 demonstration  projects  and  45  concerted  actions  or  thematic 
networks  for  funding  from  the  895  proposals  received.  The  special  call  for 
proposals  targeted  on  transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies  attracted 
24  proposals.  On  18 July  the  Commission  adopted  a  decision  selecting 
eight  of  these  projects  on  the  development  of  methods  of  diagnosis  of 
TSE  and  of combating  the  illness  in sheep,  goats  and  cattle. 

A joint  call  for  proposals  on  TSE  under  the  biomedicine,  biotechnology 
and  agriculture  and  fisheries  programmes  was  published  on  29  April  and 
closed  on  15 July  1997.  From  the  66  proposals  received,  22  (three  of 
them  under  the  agriculture  and  fisheries  programme)  were  selected  and 
granted  a  total  of  ECU  21.3  million.  This  was  made  possible  by  the 
agreement 
on 
1 December  1997  to  allocate  a  further  ECU  115 million  to  the  Fourth 
Framework  Programme,  ECU  35  million  of  which  was  earmarked  for 
research  on  TSE. 

the  Council 

Parliament 

between 

reached 

and 

Technology  stimulation  measures  for  SMEs: 
Contracts  were  concluded  on  118 projects  (109  exploratory  awards  and  9 
cooperative  projects).  The  total  number  of  SMEs  participating  rose  from 
251  (22% of all  participants)  in  1996 to  328  (32%)  in  1997. 

Research  training  grants: 
In  1997 a total  of 99  research  training  grants were  awarded 

Contribution  to  Community  RTD  objectives 

the  fields  of  nutrition,  medical  science  and 

Producing  wholesome  foods  and  strengthening  industrial  competitiveness: 
Food  projects  are,  by  nature,  interdisciplinary,  often  bringing  together 
food 
researchers  from 
technology.  Industry  is represented  (by  at  least  one  partner)  in virtually  all 
the  projects  on  "integrated  production  and  processing  chains"  and 
collaboration  between  partners  from  northern  and  southern  Europe  is 
particularly  close.  High  value-added  products  are  obtained  from  wood, 
natural  fibres,  carbohydrates  and  oils  to  create  new  markets  or  replace 
synthetic  products. 

45 

Contribution  to  the  reformed  common  agricultural  policy  (CAP)  and 
Community rural  development  policy: 
in  this  field  contribute  to  a  better  balance  between 
The  projects 
production  and  utilisation  of  biological  raw  materials,  meeting  the 
demands of the end-users, particularly with regard  to raw material  quality. 
The projects  respond to the socio-economic issues facing the  communities 
concerned  and  the  safety,  quality,  health  and  environmental  implications 
of  new  food  and  non-food  products.  They  are  based  on  comprehensive 
approaches  and  the  multi-functional  and  sustainable  management  of  the 
environment  and optimum use of the resources of the rural world. 

Support  for the objectives  of the common  fisheries  policy (CFP): 
The projects  selected  will help to  support  various  aspects  of the  CFP. On 
the  environmental  side,  they  will  help  to  promote  sustainable  fishing  and 
aquaculture,  notably  by reducing  the  impact  of trawls  and  other  dragnets 
on the seabed  and offish  escaping from fish farms  on wild  fish.  Turning to 
management  of  fishing  activities  in  Europe,  the  socio-economic  aspects 
and improved  methods for  fish  stock  assessment  are also covered.  Finally, 
work  has  been  stepped  up  on  the  health  and  genetic  aspects  of 
aquaculture. 

Work  programme  in  1998: 

joint  call 

transmissible 

for  proposals  on 

A  second 
spongiform 
encephalopathies  will  be  published  on  17 March  1998  and  close  on 
17 June  1998.  The  call  for  proposals  for  measures  in  favour  of  SMEs 
open  continuously  since  16 December  1994 will  close  on  8 April  1998 in 
the  case  of  cooperative  research  projects.  As  for  the  projects  from  the 
fifth  and sixth calls, the two joint calls on TSE and the call for  cooperative 
research projects,  these  contracts will be negotiated  and  concluded  by the 
end  of  the  year.  A  budget  of  around  ECU  179 million  is  earmarked  in 
1998  for  RTD  and  demonstration  projects,  concerted  action,  research 
training grants and other accompanying measures. 

The AQUA-FLOW 
network was set up to 
disseminate the results of 
Community research 
projects  in the field  of 
aquaculture. It will 
provide a channel for 
transferring  knowledge 
and  sharing relevant 
information  between 
scientists and industry'. 

One project  has 
contributed  to 
development  of optimum 
agricultural production of 
spelt,  an ancient but 
limited variety of wheat 
requiring little fertiliser 
and ideally suited to the 
less favoured  regions of 
the Community. It also 
provides a more 
environmentally 
sustainable alternative to 
common wheat. 

One project  is expected to develop a typology of rural areas and to 
analyse the socio-economic characteristics  of such areas using national 
and European  databases. In particular,  it will examine the interactions 
between  local agricultural  activities, other  sectors of the economy and the 
public authorities in the EU regions which  have managed  to maintain  or 
create extra jobs over the last ten years. 

46 

Examples  of results 

Techno-economic models 
supported  by the 
programme have allowed 
worldwide comparison  of 
costs and emissions of 
pollutants. These results 
have made it possible to 
estimate the costs of 
technological  measures to 
meet the target  set at the 
Kyoto  conference  on 
climate change, i.e. a  15% 
reduction in emissions of 
greenhouse gases. 

Trials on a  dual-fuel 
diesel/electric-powered 
bus obtained by converting 
a conventional  diesel bus 
have proved that very 
substantial fuel  savings can 
be made, while causing no 
pollution and very little 
noise. The industrial 
partners in the project  are 
now studying how to put 
this technology on the 
market. 
ZF Friedrichshafen  AG has 
set up a new department 
especially for this purpose. 

ENERGY 

11. NON-NUCLEAR  ENERGY 

R&D component:  JOULE 

Activities  in 1997 

The programme  continued  to  focus  on  priority  themes  relating  to  energy 
technologies  and  to  define  the  qualitative  and  quantitative  objectives  of 
each  call  for  proposals.  A  substantial  proportion  of  the  budget,  some 
ECU  195 million,  was  spent  in  1997  and  two  calls  for  proposals  for 
shared-cost  action,  covering  all  the  fields  of  science  in  the  programme, 
were  closed.  Over  600 proposals  were  evaluated  and  231  were  selected 
for  Community  funding  totalling  ECU  119 million,  62%  of  them  on 
renewable energy sources. 

The JOULE  programme  made  an  active  contribution  to  the  preparations 
for  the  Kyoto  conference  on  climate  change  and  to  several  Commission 
communications, including one on "green  accounting". 

The  monitoring  report  recognised  the  efforts  made  on  the  transparency 
and openness of the programme  and  the experts  noted  the introduction  of 
a quality management  system. 

Contribution  to Community RTD  objectives 

The R&D supported by JOULE is designed to provide substantial  support 
for  the  development  of  renewable  energy  sources,  such  as  solar  energy, 
windpower  or  energy  from  biomass,  thereby  contributing  to  sustainable 
energy  supplies  for  Europe,  while  preserving  the  environment.  The 
growing  participation  in  the  research  projects  by  partners  from  industry 
and  users  helps  to  foster  technological  progress  in  Europe  and  to  keep 
these emerging sectors competitive. 

More  efficient  use of energy  and  management  of lighting  in buildings will 
help to improve living conditions while the development  of propulsion and 
energy-storage  systems for  zero-emission  vehicles offers  the prospect  of a 
cleaner, quieter urban  environment. 

Work  programme for 19f)8 

The final  touches will be put  to  implementation  of the  current  framework 
programme by selecting concerted  action projects  and  schemes to provide 
support for training and SMEs. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  activities  in  1998  will  be  concerned  with 
providing input for  definition  of the next framework  programme. 

Support for the development  of new processes based on parallel 
optimisation  of water and energy consumption has produced  a 40% 
water saving and 70% energy saving in the agro-food  and paper pulp 
industries, two traditionally heavy consumers of these resources. 

47 

Demonstration  component:  THERMIE 

Activities  in  1997 

THERMIE  is  focused  on  the  cost-effective  and  environmentally  friendly 
demonstration  and  promotion  of  clean  and  efficient  energy  technologies. 
These  consist  of renewable  energy technologies,  rational  use  of energy in 
industry,  buildings  and  transport,  a  clean  and  more  efficient  use  of  fossil 
fuels  and better exploration,  distribution and transport  of hydrocarbons. 

In  1997 the  programme  allocated  over  ECU  148  million  to  action,  often 
as  a follow-up  to  JOULE results,  aimed  at  proving  the  technological  and 
economic  viability  of  energy  technologies  by  highlighting  their  benefits 
and  by  supporting  a wider  replication  and  market  penetration  both  in the 
EU and beyond. 

for 

also 

provided 

removing  barriers 

THERMIE 
associated  measures 
support 
(ECU  11.5 million)  aimed  at  raising  the  awareness  of  the  results  of  the 
demonstration  projects  and 
to  wider  market 
penetration.  Special  attention  was  paid  to  SMEs  by  supporting  initiatives 
in  which  training  and  information  are  offered  and  facilities  for  project 
investment  are  provided.  SME  involvement  in  demonstration  projects 
increased  significantly:  65%  of  the  proposals  in  the  building  sector 
involved  SMEs  and  participation  reached  72  and  76%  respectively  in  the 
wind  and biomass sectors.  All in all, 749 proposals were  submitted  to  the 
THERMIE programme, 275 new contracts were awarded  and  around  800 
running projects were monitored. 

In  the  field  of  international  cooperation,  45  (out  of  183)  associated 
measures  were  supported.  Among  these  measures,  three  feasibility 
studies  for  project  implementation  within  priority  areas  in  China,  using 
innovative  EU  technologies  in  the  fields  of  biomass  gasification,  energy 
use in buildings and  clean  coal  combustion;  two  actions targeting the use 
of renewable energy,  specifically  rural electrification  and  energy  efficiency 
in  industry,  with  South  Africa;  and  a  business  seminar  in  the  renewable 
sector  as a follow-up  to the World  Solar  Summit  Programme,  initiated  by 
UNESCO. 

Following the report  of the  1996 monitoring  panel,  a number  of measures 
were  undertaken.  Priority  was  given  to  site-management  control  of 
problematic  or  risky  projects;  enormous  efforts  were  allocated  to  the 
development  of  a  new  computerised  programme  information  system 
designed  to  support  the  whole  cycle  of  management  activities  from 
proposal  submission 
to  technical  and  financial  project  monitoring; 
enhanced  contract  negotiations  and  accurate  administrative  follow-up  of 
the  associated  preparatory  procedures  are  now  performed  under  the 
responsibility  of  a  Task  Force  on  Contracts  (TFC);  a  new  strategy  for 
disseminating  and  publicising  the  results  was  agreed  and  implemented; 
new  initiatives  concerning  the  participation  of  SMEs  were  launched;  and 
success  stories  for  promoting  emerging  energy  technologies  are  now 
widely  disseminated  through  the  OPET  -  Organisation  for  the  Promotion 
of Energy  Technologies-  (joint  initiative with  the  Innovation  programme) 
and FEMOPET  -Fellow Members of the OPET  - networks  in the EU  and 
Central and Eastern European  countries respectively. 

48 

Examples  of results 

The establishment  of major 
demonstration sites 
focusing on 
energy/environment in 
cities and residential and 
commercial buildings are 
the result of an important 
contribution by the 
programme. The 
Greencities and RE 
START projects have been 
implemented  in many cities 
in Europe, and include 
over 32 500 buildings. 
These large-scale  projects 
have the capacity to 
transform  urban design 
development. 

Eight European cities have 
decided to take an active 
role in promoting the use 
of low and zero emission 
vehicles. Between them 
these cities have over 20 
million inhabitants. Energy 
reductions from  the 
outcome of this project  are 
expected to be about 20%, 
depending on the type of 
vehicle fleet  and other 
measures taken in the city. 
Substantial reductions in 
emissions of carbon 
monoxide, carbon dioxide 
and NOx are also 
expected. 

Support  is given to the 
construction  of a 37.5 MW 
wind farm  on a sandbank 
approximately 3 km off the 
east coast  of England. This 
will be the largest  offshore 
wind farm  constructed in 
Europe to date. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

The  actions  supported  under  the  umbrella  of  the  THERMIE  programme 
have  contributed  to  promote  the  innovative  use  of  energy  technologies 
and  to  maximise  the  efficiency  of  their  development.  The  programme 
focuses  investments  on the technologies which will produce the  maximum 
benefit  for  EU  citizens  and  maximises  the  security  and  diversity  of 
supplies  by improving  efficiency  of  energy  production,  transport  and  use 
and by increasing the use  of renewable  sources.  It  accelerates  the rate  of 
development  and  uptake  of energy  technologies  in  order  to  maximise  the 
long-  and  short-term  competitiveness  of  European  industries  in  EU  and 
global markets. 

The many developments  included  cost  reductions  and  small-scale  systems 
for  wind  energy  and  photovoltaics,  demonstration  plants  for  energy  from 
biomass  and  wastes,  energy  efficiency  in  industry  and  combined  heat  and 
power  production,  best  practices 
in 
in  buildings,  alternative  fuels 
transport,  new burners of solid fuels  and co-combustion with biomass. 

Work programme for  1998 

The  THERMIE  programme  will  provide 
estimated  at 
ECU 96 million  for  the  demonstration  of  clean  and  efficient  energy 
technologies  and  it  will  support,  to  the  tune  of  up  to  ECU  14  million, 
complementary  associated  measures designed  to propagate and  encourage 
at the appropriate moment the future  use of demonstrated  results. 

funding 

Other examples from  THERMIE 

In the hydrocarbons  area, installing and decommissioning  deck units in the open sea 
together with direct validation of the structural  integrity of floating  production,  storage 
and offloading  units (FPSOs) made significant  steps towards the safety and 

competitiveness of European  offshore  energy technology. 

Important  progress has been made by a number of completed  projects focusing  on 
biomass gasification  within existing/conventional coal-fired  power  stations and/or 
boilers. 

The China-EU Renewable Energy Technology  Conference  was attended by 90 
representatives from  Chinese institutions and companies and by over 35 EU  renewable 
energy technology  manufacturers. 

49 

12.  NUCLEAR  FISSION  SAFETY 

General  objectives 

The programme is part  of the  1994-1998 Euratom  framework  programme 
for  research  and training and is active in: innovative approaches  in  reactor 
safety  passive  decay  heat  removal  and  innovative  nuclear  fuel  cycle 
concepts  (partitioning  and 
transmutation);  reactor  severe  accident 
phenomena  and  mechanisms  to  develop  accident  management  measures, 
with  emphasis  on  mitigation  techniques;  safety  evaluation  methods  and 
feasibility  of  concepts 'for  radioactive  waste  management  and  disposal; 
technology  and  strategy  for  the  decommissioning  of  nuclear  installations; 
radiological  impact  on  man  and  the  environment,  radiation  mechanisms 
and  epidemiology,  radiation  risks  and  exposures; the  mastering  of  events 
of  the  past  (faOctors  influencing  health,  contaminated  territories  and 
emergency management  approaches). 

Activities  in  1997 

The  programme  was  implemented  by  a  single  call  with  two  deadlines  for 
submission  of  proposals  on  shared-cost  projects  (20  March  1995  and  28 
February  1996),  while  a  call  on  concerted  action  was  continuously  open 
until  1 November  1997.  In total,  66  proposals  for  concerted  action  were 
received  in  1997  (16  on  15  February  and  50  on  1  November)  and 
evaluated with the assistance of external experts.  At the end of the year, a 
first  set  of  11 contracts were signed, while the selection  procedure  for  the 
last 50 proposals was started. 

From the beginning of the programme up until the end of  1997,  190 multi-
partner  contracts  were  signed  (out  of  461  proposals  in  total).  Projects 
with  related  research  subjects  were  combined  into  38  clusters  to  ensure 
better project  management  and to facilitate  the exchange  of results  among 
specialists. 

Where  appropriate,  mid-term  reviews  have been  carried  out  for  adjusting 
project  plans  or  for  setting-up  the  programme  for  a  second  phase  of  the 
projects. 

Four  EUROCOURSE  training  sessions  were  organised:  three  courses  in 
the  field  of  radiation  protection  and  one  course  on  reactor  severe 
accidents. 

(conferences,  workshops,  grants)  were 
Accompanying  measures 
organised,  developing  a  wide  forum  for  discussion/exchange  of  results 
and offering  attractive prospects for young scientists and researchers. 

Major  achievements  in  1997  (in  addition  to  the  examples  in  the  boxes) 
included: 
• 

the  progress  in  the  assessment  of  partitioning  and  transmutation 
strategies to  reduce  the long-lived  radionuclide  inventories using LWR 
and/or FNR; 
the  feasibility  studies  for  innovative  safety  techniques  like  passive 
decay heat removal  systems for both RPV  and  containment; 
the  improvement  of  knowledge  and  harmonisation  of  predictive  tools 
for  irradiation  induced  ageing  phenomena; 

• 

• 

50 

Examples  of  results 

Design/equipment  and 
operating procedures are 
being developed in 
cooperation  with 
industries to cope with 
the main risk issues in 
case of reactor severe 
accidents (i.e. molten 
corium, fission  product 
releases and  hydrogen 
combustion). 

Completion of the 
RODOS decision  support 
system for the  off-site 
management  of nuclear 
accidents in the early 
phase: this version is 
being implemented  for 
pre-operational use in 
emergency centres in 
Hungary, Poland, 
Slovakia and the Ukraine 
with assistance from the 
ECHO and TACIS 
programmes (interest in 
its use has also been 
expressed by several EU 
countries). 

out 

carried 

research 

on  waste  volume  minimisation, 

the 
characterisation  of waste forms,  host-rock  and backfill  materials; 
the conclusion of Phase I of the Palmottu  project  for  characterising and 
understanding the general flow  system at the site; 
the  further  development  of  the  databank  on  decommissioning  of 
nuclear installations; 
the  concerted  action  aimed  at  providing  a forum  for  dialogue  between 
industry,  regulators  and  academia  on  risk  governance,  particularly  in 
terms of acceptability and  efficacy; 
the  development  and  use  of  multi-step  cancer  models  to  analyse 
epidemiological  data; 
the  development  of  methodologies  for  vulnerability  assessment  of 
ecosystems; 
the  publication  of  a  series  of  documents  giving  guidelines  and 
protocols  for  quality  criteria 
for  different  common  diagnostic 
procedures; 
the  development  and  implementation  of  a  decentralised  approach  for 
management  and 
in  contaminated 
territories. 

living  conditions 

improving 

Improvement  of the 
technical feasibility  of 
geological  disposal 
concepts and of the 
performance  assessment 
study for  spent  fuel 
disposal  concepts 
(implementation  of the 
FEBEX project,  start of 
the operational  phase of 
DEBORA and  definition 
of the SPA-source term 
model). 

Contribution  to Community RTD  objectives 

The  nuclear  fission  programme  contributes  to  the  improvement  of  the 
safety  of  nuclear  reactors  and  of  the  competitiveness  of  the  nuclear 
industry  in  particular  through  research  concerning  major  accidents, 
advanced  techniques  for  the  decommissioning  of  nuclear  facilities  and 
methods  for  the  safe  management  of  radioactive  waste.  It  also  aims  at 
protecting  the  public  and  the  environment  against  the  possible  adverse 
effects  of  radiation  which  can  result  from  the  use  of  nuclear  energy  and 
the medical applications of radiation. 

Work programme for 1998 

The implementation  of the programme will be completed  by a selection  of 
concerted  action  and  accompanying  measures 
training  and 
dissemination  of  results.  Five  training  courses  will  be  organised  by  the 
programme in the fields of reactor  safety  and radiation  protection. 

for 

The nuclear fission  safety  components of the Fifth  Framework  Programme 
will be prepared  as well as the corresponding  implementation  instruments. 

A decentralised  approach 
to the long-term 
management  of 
contaminated  territories 
has been developed and 
piloted in a village in 
Belarus.  While the 
project  is continuing, the 
success already achieved 
is such that  consideration 
is already being given to 
the wider  dissemination 
of the approach  to 
Chernobyl  affected  areas. 

51 

Examples  of results 

JET recently operated 
with the fuel and 
conditions envisaged  for 
the fusion  reactors of the 
future.  It set world 
records (16 MW of 
fusion  power,  equivalent 
to two thirds of the 
injected  power; 21 MJ of 
fusion  energy). The 
results obtained  indicate 
that some of the 
conditions necessary for 
the reactor  (particularly 
the minimum power for 
access to high 
confinement  regime) are 
easier to meet than 
originally thought. 

Projections  of economic 
and social scenarios, 
economic prospects and 
public acceptance aiming 
at raising awareness of 
fusion  as a potential 
energy source. 

13.  CONTROLLED  THERMONUCLEAR  FUSION 

Activities  in  1997 

The  long-term  objective  of  the  programme,  which  embraces  all  the 
activities  undertaken  in the Member States  (plus  Switzerland)  in the  field 
of  fusion  with  magnetic  confinement,  is  "the  joint  production  of  safe, 
environmentally  sound  prototype  reactors".  After  the  tokamak  known  as 
JET (Joint European  Torus), the proposed  strategy towards the  prototype 
reactor  includes  an  experimental  reactor  ("Next  Step")  which  is  now 
being  designed  in  detail  in  the  context  of  the  quadripartite  cooperation 
between  Euratom,  Japan,  Russia  and the USA  referred  to  as  ITER-EDA 
(International  Thermonuclear  Experimental  Reactor  - Engineering  Design 
Activities) and a demonstration reactor (DEMO). 

"Next  Step"  activities:  in  1997  the  engineering  design  activities  of  the 
central project  team (San Diego, Naka and Garching) and the four  partner 
teams  collaborating  in  the  ITER-EDA  made  it  possible  to  optimise  the 
solutions  selected  for  the ITER.  At the end  of December the  central  team 
submitted  the  final  report  on  the  project  to  the  partners  involved  in  the 
ITER  for  an  internal  assessment.  Europe  has  been  given  the  task  of 
coordinating  three  of  the  seven  major  RTD  projects  for  the  ITER 
(prototype  toroidal  magnet,  shielding for  the blanket  and  remote  handling 
system for  the divertor) and is contributing  actively to work  on them.  The 
NET, JET  and JRC teams together with the associated  fusion  laboratories 
("associations")  each  made  a  substantial  contribution  to  the  work  on 
physics  and  technology  applicable  to  the  ITER.  JET,  the  only  reactor  in 
the  world  capable  of  using  tritium,  provided  a  means  of  studying  fusion 
plasmas in the conditions planned for the "Next  Step". 

Concept 
improvement:  operation  of  specialised  devices  allowed 
consolidation  of  the  database  required  for  the  Next  Step  and  concept 
improvements  which,  in  the  long  term,  will  allow  definition  of  DEMO. 
The  TJ-II  stellarator  in Madrid  entered  into  service.  Approval  was  given 
for  the  installation  of  new  equipment  at  the  TORE  SUPRA  tokamak  in 
Cadarache  and the TEXTOR  tokamak  in Jiilich and  of the  heating  system 
at a third (the MAST tokamak under construction  at Culham). 

long-term 

technology:  work  continued  on 

Long-term 
technology, 
particularly  on  the  tritium  breeding  blanket  (procedure  launched  for  the 
provision  of  reference  structural  material),  evaluation  of  the  conceptual 
design  of a neutron  source,  start  of new safety  and  environmental  studies 
and  of socio-economic  research  on fusion  (including  questions  relating  to 
public  acceptability).  Finally,  in  September  Parliament  held  an  STOA 
conference  on  the  operating  conditions  required  for  a  commercial  fusion 
reactor to consult  experts from  Europe's leading electricity  distributors. 

Industrial  participation:  European  industry  has  long  been  involved  in 
supplying  the  components  and  prototypes  required  for  the  construction 
and operation  of fusion  devices. 

52 

Important  scientific 
results have been 
obtained  at the 
associated  fusion 
laboratories,  particularly: 
successful  operation of 
the Lyra divertor in the 
ASDEX Upgrade 
tokamak; progress in 
optimisation  of the 
bootstrap  current  and of 
non-induced  current 
drive in the TORE 
SUPRA tokamak; use of 
high atomic number 
materials with ECRH 
(electron  cyclotron 
resonant  heating) in the 
FTU tokamak; high 
confinement  regimes in 
the TEXTOR  tokamak; 
determination of 
reference  parameters in 
the TCV tokamak; 
magnetic surfaces in 
accordance with 
predictions in the TJ-II 
stellarator;  start of 
construction  of the 
Wendelstein  7-X 
stellarator and 
production  of prototype 
coils for this device, etc... 

representatives  of 

industry  exchanged  views  with 
In  April 
representatives  of  ITER  on  the  organisational  aspects  of  eventual 
construction  of such a reactor. 

the 

Implementation:  the  programme  is  implemented  in  the  form  of  contracts 
of  association  with  the  Member  States  (plus  Switzerland),  the  JET  joint 
undertaking  and  the  NET  (Next  European  Torus)  Agreement  which 
includes  Euratom's  participation  in  ITER-EDA,  contracts  with  industry 
and  other  contracts  of limited  duration.  The Community  contributed  25% 
towards  the  current  expenditure  of the  Associations  and  the  contracts  of 
limited  duration  and  45%  of  the  investment  costs  of  priority  projects 
approved  by  the  Consultative  Committee  for  the  Fusion  Programme.  Up 
to  100% may be granted  for  certain  specific  tasks (in industry). As part of 
the  activities  to  keep  in touch  with  inertial  fusion  technology,  a  start  was 
made  on  coordinating  civil  research  in  this  field.  The  Commission 
proposal  for  the Framework  Programme  for  1998-2002 includes fusion  as 
one  of the  key  actions  and  maintains  the  strategy  for  integrated  research 
with  a view to  the reactor.  In its  1997 report  the monitoring  panel  found, 
amongst  other  things,  that  the  fusion  programme  had  been  administered 
and implemented  fully  in line with the Council guidelines. 

Contribution  to Community  RTD  objectives 

As  with  the  other  fusion  programmes  elsewhere  in  the  world,  the 
European  Union's  programme  is  directed  towards  the  Next  Step,  which 
will  incorporate  all  the  key  aspects  of  physics  and  technology  necessary 
for  the  "combustion"  of  long-pulse  fusion  plasma.  Europe  has  made  a 
valuable  contribution  to  progress  with  research  in  this  field,  particularly 
with JET. 

By placing  an  obligation  on laboratories  to  publish  Europe-wide  calls  for 
the  fusion  programme  has 
tenders  to  carry  out  priority  projects, 
encouraged  a  two-way  flow  of  information  between  the  fusion  and 
industry  sides  and  helped  to  reinforce  European  industry's  S&T  base.  In 
turn  the  system  for  qualification  of  firms  in  the  15 specific  technologies 
required  for  fusion  has  helped 
industry  more 
competitive against its rivals for  collaboration  on ITER. 

to  make  European 

The  integrated  structure  of  the  programme  guarantees  the  cohesion  of 
European  research  on  fusion.  Irrespective  of  any transfers  of  technology 
which  could  be  generated  in  the  short  term,  the  long-term  aspect  of  this 
research was underlined  by stepping up the public awareness campaign on 
the safety  and environmental  advantages of fusion  as an energy option. 

Work programme for  1998 

The  Associations  will  continue  their  activities  and  new  systems  for 
installation  on  certain  devices  (particularly  ASDEX  Upgrade)  will  be 
examined.  To  support  the  experimental  work  in  all  the  laboratories, 
theoretical  work  will  continue.  The  research  on  JET,  particularly  on  the 
divertor  concept  applicable  to  the  ITER,  will  continue  as  planned.  As 
requested  by Parliament,  the  Commission  will  submit  a strategy  paper  on 
the  possibility  of  continuing  to  use  JET  after  December  1999  and  on  the 
framework  for  its  future  programme.  As  regards  ITER-EDA,  originally 
planned  to  run  until  July  1998,  a three-year  extension  has been  proposed 
to  undertake  joint  activities  in  various  fields  (adaptation  of  ITER 

53 

engineering  design  to  actual  conditions  at  specific  potential  sites,  safety 
assessments  and  preparatory  work  for  applications  for  consent,  tests  on 
prototype  components,  etc.).  Preparations  will  start  for  a  study  on  the 
reference  design  for  DEMO.  Like  last  year,  Marie  Curie  fellowships  will 
be  granted  (between  10  and  15  per  annum)  and  strong  support  will  be 
given  to  the  mobility  of  researchers  (between  300  and  400  secondments 
per  annum).  The  final  touches  are  now  being  made  to  establish  bilateral 
collaboration with Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. 

54 

14.  TRANSPORT 

Activities  in  1997 

With  the  109  new  contracts  which  were  signed  in  1997  from  the 
implementation  of the  second  and  third  calls for  proposals,  the  Transport 
RTD  Programme  has  now  financed  some  244  projects  of which  26  were 
completed  with a number of significant  results  delivered. 

The  new  contracts  signed  in  1997  cover  the  following  areas  of  the 
Programme: 
•  Strategic  research:  13 projects,  with  emphasis  on  information  systems 
(including  definition  of  transport  databases)  and  policy  assessment 
(including  the  extension  of  the  trans-European  networks  to  eastern 
Europe); 

•  Rail transport:  10 projects, focusing  on interoperability  of train  systems 

and on more efficient  and faster  freight  transport; 

•  Integrated  transport  chains:  12  projects,  addressing  the  improvement 
of  the  quality  of  the  intermodal  transport  network  (6  projects)  and 
terminals (6 projects); 

•  Air  transport:  17  projects,  the  majority  of  which  (10  projects) 
contribute  to  the  definition  of  technical  and  operational  solutions  to 
improve the efficiency  of the air traffic  management  system; 

•  Urban  transport:  12  projects,  with  emphasis  on  the  enhancement  of 
improvement  of 

intermodality 
interchange and through  legal and regulatory measures; 

in  urban 

transport 

through 

the 

•  Waterborne  transport:  24  projects, 

including  projects  aiming  at 
improving the efficiency  and safety  of maritime operations  and  projects 
focusing  on the improvement  of working conditions; 

•  Road  transport:  19  projects,  aiming  at  improving  road  transport 
performance,  reliability  and  safety,  while  minimising  the  negative 
impact on the environment; 

•  Accompanying measures: 2 projects  which  will  develop  and  implement 
an  intensive  dissemination  and  exploitation  plan  for  the  Transport 
Programme aiming at maximising the impact of the programme results. 

the 
the  programme  provided  major  contributions 
In  1997, 
development  of important  policy  documents  such  as the  Green  Paper  on 
ports  and  maritime  infrastructure, 
the  forthcoming  White  Paper  on 
infrastructure  charging, the communications  on trans-European  rail  freight 
freeways  and intermodal freight  transport. 

for 

Other  challenges  in the  field  of  transport,  such  as  congestion,  safety  and 
environmental  aspects  continue  to  be  tackled,  both  in  ongoing  projects 
and  in  the  fourth  call  for  proposals  launched  in  December  1997.  The 
particular  transport  challenges  of  the  accession  of  Central  and  Eastern 
increased 
European  countries  are  also  being  addressed 
participation 
local 
from  organisations 
dissemination  events.  Substantial  efforts  were  devoted  to  ensure  the 
transferability  of  results,  the  involvement  of  relevant  end-users  and  the 
acceptance  of  new  systems  and  methods.  This  is  being  tackled  through 
encouraging  the  creation  of  formal  and  informal  networks  and  by  the 
establishment  of concerted  action  (13  projects  as a result  of the first  three 
calls). 

these  countries  and 

through 

from 

55 

Examples  of results 

ERTMS 
Test sites in Germany, 
France and Italy have been 
made available for the full-
scale testing of the 
developed European Rail 
Traffic  Management 
System (ERTMS). 
European  standardisation 
activities necessary  for 
implementing the ERTMS 
started in 1997. 

MBB 
A maritime black box 
(MBB) similar to the ones 
used in aeroplanes has 
been developed to record 
accident data.  Improved 
accident investigations will 
increase the safety  of ship 
operations.  Further 
development of the MBB 
into a cargo black box is 
envisaged to track 
shipments and  facilitate 
short-sea  shipping and the 
exchange of 
documentation. 

TAPE 
The project  developed a 
software  prototype to 
determine the interaction 
of landside and airside 
operations in airports, to 
optimise the total  airport 
performance  in terms of 
efficiency  and capacity. 

The  1997 monitoring  panel  on the Transport  RTD Programme  concluded 
that  the  programme  is  being  managed  in  a  professional  and  transparent 
way,  although  it was  concerned  by the continuing  staff  shortages  in  some 
areas of the programme. The panel made seven valuable  recommendations 
for the future  management  of the programme to  further  strengthen  results 
delivery, which  are being taken  on board.  They are mainly focused  on the 
dissemination  and  exploitation  of results  and  future  elements  of  transport 
RTD activities. 

Contribution  to Community RTD objectives 

The  general  objective  of  the  research  carried  out  under  the  Transport 
RTD  Programme  is  to  reach  conclusions  opening  up  new  policy  options 
and  to  facilitate  the  implementation  of  new  generic  technologies.  The 
objectives  of  implementing  new  technologies  to  increase  the  efficiency, 
safety  and  sustainability  of the transport  system  have also been  or will be 
achieved  through  a series of projects  like ERTMS  (European  Rail  Traffic 
Management  System),  MBB  (Maritime  Blacjc  Box),  and  ATM  (Air 
Traffic  Management) related  projects. 

increase 

in  European 

together  with  a  significant 

The  1997  monitoring  panel  noted  the  potential  benefits  to  European 
industry  from  achievements  like  European  standardisation  of  railways' 
signalling  systems  resulting  from  the  ERTMS  projects.  The  potential 
impact  of  these  results  could  lead  to  a  20-30%  reduction  of  equipment 
costs, 
railway 
manufacturing  competitiveness  in  world  transport  markets.  Another 
example of strengthening  the  competitiveness  of European  industry  is the 
establishment  of  integrated  ship  control  standards.  These  projects 
(ATOMOS  II and DISCI) are an important  effort  to unite the  fragmented 
European  industries  involved  in this  domain  and  at  the  same  time  to  set 
universal  standards.  Other  examples  of  research  work  contributing  to 
Community  objectives  are  projects  in  the  strategic  area  assessing  the 
impact  of  the  trans-European  transport  networks  on  accessibility  and 
cohesion.  A series  of urban  transport  projects  aim  at  the  improvement  of 
urban  public  transport  and  have  already  delivered  valuable  results  (e.g. 
ISOTOPE  project). 

Work programme for  1998 

The  fourth  call  for  proposals  and  the  joint  call  by  the  Transport  and 
Telematics Application Programmes on transport  intermodality,  for  which 
a Community budget  of  some ECU  12 million was  allocated,  both  closed 
on  16  March  1998.  The  submitted  proposals  will  be  evaluated  and 
subjected  to  contract  negotiation.  The  fourth  call  for  proposals  should 
result  in  a  number  of  actions to  consolidate  results  arising  from  projects 
from  the previous calls and to prepare future  Transport RTD activities. As 
a  result  of  the  joint  call  on  intermodality  a  series  of  large-scale 
demonstration  projects  building  upon  the  results  of  ongoing  research 
work  in  the  area  of  intermodality  should  arise.  The  first  projects  are  to 
start towards the end of  1998.  A number of projects  already financed  will 
conclude  their  work  and  present  their  results  in  a  series  of  planned 
dissemination  events.  A programme-wide  dissemination  and  exploitation 
strategy  will  be  implemented  to  ensure  the  concrete  deployment  of  the 
RTD results. 

56 

ISOTOPE 
The project  described the 
advantages and dis 
advantages of the various 
organisational forms of 
public transport  services 
and gives 
recommendations on 
adequate contractual and 
legal  frameworks.  Data 
has been examined  from 
109 urban transport 
networks in Europe. 

Air Traffic  Management: 
Several projects in this 
domain have been 
completed  and the results 
have been fed into the 
development  of the  future 
European Air  Traffic 
Management  System 
(EATMS) to be demon 
strated in the Fifth 
Framework Programme. 

Information  Systems: 
Concerted  action has been 
started, involving a series 
of ongoing projects and 
policy-makers and 
statisticians from all 
Member  States. It will 
establish synergies and lay 
the ground for the creation 
of a European transport 
information  system 
facilitating  the exchange of 
and access to transport 
data, in support of policy 
decision-making. 

15.  TARGETED  SOCIO-ECONOMIC  RESEARCH 

Activities  in  1997 

Examples of results 

1997  marked  a  major  turning  point  in  the  evolution  of  the  TSER 
programme.  Introduced  in  1994  as  a  new  element  to  the  Framework 
Programme  much  work  had  to  be  done  in  the  early  stages  of  the 
programme  to  sensitise  researchers  and  policy-makers  to  the  importance 
of  European  level  socio-economic  research  in  areas  of  S&T  policy, 
education  and training and  social  integration  and  exclusion.  However,  the 
recent  selection  of  successful  second  call  projects  and  the  launching  in 
September  1997 of the third  and  final  call  means  that  attention  is turning 
to  the  consolidation  and  follow-up  of  funded  activities.  Indeed,  the 
programme  now  comprises  a  broadly-based  portfolio  of  complementary 
activities  ranging  from  collaborative  research  projects  and  thematic 
networks,  studies  and  support  for  conferences  in  key  areas,  to  specific 
ET AN initiatives, and to the programme's participation  in the Educational 
Multimedia Task Force. 

Given  the  current  stage  of  development  of  the  programme,  and  the 
improvements  made  both  in  terms  of  the  policy  relevance  and  in  the 
execution  of  successive  calls,  the  recommendations  made  in  the  1997 
TSER  monitoring  report  primarily  concern  take-up  and  dissemination 
activities. 

Contribution  to Community RTD  objectives 

A characteristic  of this programme  is that  all its activities  are  expected  to 
lead  to  policy  relevant  insights.  Following  the  second  call  a total  of  112 
shared  cost  actions, dealing with topics  such  as the European  information 
society,  industrial  dynamics  and  employment,  and  social  integration 
policies  in Europe,  will  have  received  Community  support.  This  number 
will  increase  by  50-60  new  activities  arising  from  the  evaluation  and 
selection  of  third  call  proposals.  Moreover  the  third  call  itself  was 
launched  on  the  basis  of  a  revised  work  programme  focusing  on  three 
strategic  orientations:  competition,  change  and  dialogue;  work,  welfare 
and  employment;  and 
institutional  change.  These 
orientations  demand  a  multidisciplinary  approach  and  thus  the  third  call, 
which  closed  in  January  1998,  set  out  to  solicit  proposals  which  would 
combine  research  tasks  from  two  or  more  of  the  programme's  main 
research areas. 

innovation  and 

in  1997  for 
to  this,  some  39  grants  were  awarded 
In  addition 
accompanying  measures.  Funded  activities  include  studies  on  the  effects 
of  labour  markets  on  employment,  the  redistribution  of  work,  the 
problems  and  possibilities  for  self-employment,  and  support  for  various 
fora  dealing with topics such as immigrant  integration and ethnic  conflicts, 
women in science, and  approaches to  cultural  diversity within  educational 
institutions in Europe. 

regards  ETAN 

As 
(European  Technology  Assessment  Network, 
supported  under area I of the evaluation  of S&T policy  options in Europe 
programme),  expert  working  groups  were  held  on  the  first  of  a  series  of 
topics:  ageing  population  and  technology  -  challenges  and  opportunities 
and  technology  policy  in the  context  of  internationalisation.  The  experts' 
reports will be presented  to policy-makers in the course of 1998. 

57 

, 

EVALUE has 
developed  and 
produced  a CD-ROM 
and Internet media on 
the (self-)evaluation  of 
universities in Europe. 
The  information 
available includes case 
studies, national 
indicators as well as a 
flexible  evaluation 
tool. 

Following a 
conference in 
November  1997 the 
"Technology, 
Economic Integration 
and  Social Exclusion" 
project  has published 
leading-edge articles 
on world trading 
environment,  regional 
technology gaps in 
Europe and 
competitiveness. 

The LoWER  project 
has established a 
European  database on 
low-wage 
employment and 
published a report on 
"Statistical  data 
available on low-wage 
employment in the 
European Union and 
its Member States". 
LoWER publishes a 
newsletter and has a 
site on the Internet. 

A further  significant  event  in  1997  was  the  launch  of  five  projects,  part-
funded  by  the  TSER  programme,  submitted  under  the  Educational 
Multimedia  Task  Force's joint  call  for  proposals.  These  projects,  dealing 
with  the  processes  of  learning,  the  effectiveness  of  the  introduction  of 
multimedia  technology  and  the  attendant  socio-economic  consequences, 
demonstrate the importance  of the social  shaping  of technology  and  serve 
as examples of the more integrative approach to  combining  social  sciences 
with  technology  development  which  is  being  proposed  for  the  Fifth 
Framework Programme. 

Work programme for'1998 

A  major  activity  for  1998  will  be  the  introduction  of  measures  for 
disseminating  and  enhancing the impact  of insights  arising  from  the  RTD 
projects  and  networks  funded.  In  addition  to  the  normal  mechanisms  for 
dissemination  of results  at  the  project  level,  a  number  of  activities  at  the 
level  of  the  programme  itself  are  being  planned.  An  important  initiative 
will be a TSER  programme  conference  planned  for  the  end  of  1998.  This 
conference  will  bring  together  researchers  and  policy-makers  and  will 
itself  be  underpinned  by  a  series  of  policy  relevant  workshops  organised 
around the thematic clustering of first  and  second  call projects  - a concept 
which was successfully  tested in 1997. 

Third  call  activities  will  centre  on  negotiating  and  issuing  contracts  for 
projects  selected  for  funding.  And  a  number  of  possible  new  ET AN 
initiatives  are  under  consideration  in  the  areas  of  global  climate  change, 
intellectual  property,  the  assessment  of  the  impact  of  RTD,  indirect 
support to RTD employment, and women and science. 

Furthermore  it is anticipated  that  four  more  projects  submitted  under  the 
Educational  Multimedia joint  call,  involving  the  financial  participation  of 
the TSER programme, will be launched. 

Work  on  finalising  the  role  of  socio-economic  research  in  the  Fifth 
Framework Programme will take place alongside the above activities. 

The REGIS project  has found  that innovation  in Europe tends to be 
market  driven by cost and quality considerations  and that pure innovation 
is rare since the process is characterised  more by the recombination  of 
non-original technologies - thus demonstrating the need for  better 
integration  of technology centres and universities within the innovation 
process. 

. The RTD networks 
and high-tech  SMEs 
project  has found 
evidence which links 
successful 
globalisation with a 
high level of local 
networking  suggesting 
the importance of 
access to locally 
developed 
technologies. 

The globalising 
learning economy: 
implications for 
innovation policy is a 
report based on the 
preliminary 
conclusions from 
several related TSER 
projects  (example of 
cluster activity). 

The KISINN network 
has produced  a review 
of private sector 
knowledge intensive 
services drawing on 
existing international 
expertise with special 
emphasis on the 
transmission and 
application of technical 
and  management 
innovation including the 
implications for policy 
implementation. 

58 

2 ND  A C T I V I TY  OF  T HE  F O U R TH  F R A M E W O RK  P R O G R A M ME 

COOPERATION  WITH  THIRD  COUNTRIES  AND 
ORGANISATIONS 

INTERNATIONAL 

Examples of results 

A European first  in the 
campaign against 
parasitic infections: a 
number of research 
projects bringing 
together  scientists from 
developing countries and 
Europe have been started 
to discover why some 
people are more 
vulnerable than others to 
parasitic infections.  This 
is the key to an 
efficacious  response. 
Collaboration with Brazil 
has demonstrated that 
genetic factors  are to 
blame for vulnerability to 
bilharziasis (an illness 
caused by trematode 
worms).  Scientists have 
discovered that gene 
Sml  on chromosome 5 
controls resistance or 
sensitivity to the disease. 
Another gene 
determining sensitivity to 
fibrosis  of the liver has 
also been  identified. 
These breakthroughs 
could pave the way for 
the development  of new 
treatments to provide 
relief for  sufferers  from 
these illnesses. 

Activities  in  1997 

RTD  projects 

As  part  of  the  cooperation  with  the  Central  and  Eastern  European 
countries  and  the New  Independent  States from  the former  Soviet  Union, 
ECU 26.3  million  was  earmarked  to  fund  110  contracts  concluded 
following  the  1996  call  for  proposals.  A  call  for  proposals  published  in 
1997  (main  areas  covered:  environment,  health  and  industry)  attracted 
1 300 research proposals worth a total of ECU 398 million. 

The  international  cooperation  programme  (INCO)  also  continued  to 
provide  support  for  Eastern  European  countries  to  participate  in  the 
specific  programmes under the 4th Framework  Programme. 

Around  ECU  700  000  was  earmarked  for  accompanying  measures, 
particularly support  to enable scientists from  these countries  to  participate 
INTAS,  funded  primarily  by  the  Community,  granted 
in  conferences. 
ECU  18.8  million  to  321  projects  covering  all  fields. 
the 
International  Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) set up in Moscow  to 
help  with  the  redeployment  of  military  researchers  from 
the  New 
Independent  States  from  the  former  Soviet  Union  received  support 
totalling ECU  13.5 million from  the EC for  civil  projects  in  1997 (a  total 
of  19 000 scientists have taken part since 1994). 

And 

As for  S&T  cooperation  with  developing  countries  (INCO-DC),  in  1997 
ECU  65.6  million  was  set  aside  to  fund  125  contracts.  A  call  for 
proposals  published 
in  1997  on  management  of  renewable  natural 
resources,  agriculture,  agro-industry,  health  and  information  technologies 
attracted  1  020 proposals. 

Twenty-five  new  COST  projects  also  began,  bringing  to  159  the  total 
number  of  projects  in  progress  in  17  areas  (food  science,  chemistry, 
transport,  etc.).  In  1997  the  Commission  was  involved  in  11  EUREKA 
projects. 

The monitoring  panel  stressed  the high quality  achieved  in  1997 in  all the 
fields  covered by the programme. 

S&T agreements and scientific  contacts 

The  agreement  on  scientific  and  technical  cooperation  between  the  EU 
and the USA was signed, the one with South Africa  entered  into force  and 
negotiations  started  on  a  nuclear  research  agreement  between  Euratom 
and  Canada. 
In  1997  negotiations  started  on  an  S&T  cooperation 
agreement  with  Russia  and  the first  expressions  of  interest  were  received 
from  certain  countries  which  wish  to  be  associated  with  the  5th 
Framework  Programme. 

59 

To  promote  relations  with  Japan  and  Korea  in  the  field  of  science  and 
technology,  74  European  researchers  received  grants  in  1997, taking  the 
total  number of EU researchers assisted  to work in these two  countries  to 
490. 

Technical  or  political  contacts  were  maintained  with  non-EU  countries 
and  regional  groupings.  Over  100  seminars,  workshops  or  conferences 
involving  developing  countries  received  support  (for  example,  on  soil 
fertility  in  Asia  and  on  Aids  in  Africa).  The  political  dialogue  with  the 
EU's  Mediterranean  partners  continued  via  the  secretariat  of  the  Euro-
Mediterranean RTD Committee and a formal  meeting of the Committee. 

Thinking about future  guidelines 

A communication  on  the  European  initiative  for  agricultural  research  for 
development  (EIARD) was adopted  to  improve coordination  between  the 
18  partners  involved.  Another  communication  entitled  "Scientific  and 
research - a  strategic  part  of  the  European  Union's 
technological 
development  cooperation  with  developing  countries"  was  also  adopted 
and then endorsed  by the Council. 

Contribution  to Community RTD objectives 

INCO  contributes  in many ways to  promoting  the  competitiveness  of  the 
European  economy as a whole.  For example, by giving extra value added 
to  Union  RTD  or  helping  to  define  other  EU  policies  (e.g.  on  transport, 
energy  or  fisheries)  in the  light  of the  experience  of non-EU  countries  or 
thanks  to  the  "large  market  effect"  generated  as  S&T  cooperation  opens 
up prospects for  commercial  cooperation. 

International  RTD  cooperation  provides  access to  know-how,  researcher 
networks  and  installations  (for  example, by sending European  researchers 
to  Japan).  Beyond  the  strictly  scientific  benefits,  this  cooperation 
contributes 
technology 
worldwide. 

the  influence  of  European  science  and 

to 

In  connection  with  EU  enlargement  policy,  modernisation  of  the  RTD 
arrangements in the Central and Eastern European  countries together with 
the  support  provided  by INCO  for  participation  by these  countries  in  the 
EU  RTD  programmes  helps  these  countries  to  prepare  to  fit  into  the 
Union. 

INCO-DC  has  helped  to  strengthen  Europe's  research  capacity  in  areas 
related  to  development  and  to  stimulate RTD  in the developing  countries 
(in  1997 by providing  support for networks on malaria and tropical  forests 
in particular), thus backing up the Community's development aid policy. 

Another  example of the  contribution  to  foreign  policy is the  International 
Science  and  Technology  Centre  in  Moscow  (ISTC)  which  supports  the 
efforts  to redeploy Russian military researchers to civil activities. 

Work programme for  1998 

The main activities in  1998 will be to monitor the  1600 ongoing  contracts 
(including  the  preparatory,  accompanying  and  support  measures)  and  the 
to 
1997  INCO-COPERNICUS  and  INCO-DC  calls  for  proposals, 
conclude  contracts  on  the  participation  of  non-EU  countries  in  the  1st, 

60 

Study of marine 
pollution:  the Black Sea 
is ideal for  a case study 
of the impact of pollution 
on biodiversity.  A 
project  involving 
Romania, Bulgaria, 
Russia and seven 
Member  States has 
already brought a fuller 
understanding of the 
decline in biodiversity in 
the Black  Sea.  A model 
for predicting the 
response of the coastal 
system to attacks on the 
environment  is now being 
devised. 

Fisheries and  sustainable 
development:  15 
research  projects 
focusing  on new 
aquaculture techniques, 
shellfish  farming and 
management of coastal 
ecosystems were 
launched in  1997 in 
conjunction  with the 
EU/ACP  fisheries 
initiative based on the 
resolution  adopted by the 
ACP-EC Joint 
Committee.  The 
objective  of this initiative 
is to promote targeted 
research on aquaculture 
and  sustainable 
management  of fisheries. 

Bone marrow donors: 
with the help of a partner 
from  the Netherlands, 
both Hungary and the 
Czech Republic were 
linked up to an 
international  database on 
bone marrow donors. 
This link-up has added 
6 000 extra donors  from 
these two countries to 
the database.  Given the 
success of the operation, 
there are now plans to 
extend the scheme to 
three more Eastern 
European  countries.  It is 
being introduced in 
Slovakia already. 

3rd  and  4th  activities  of  the  Framework  Programmes  and  to  select  and 
monitor grantholders (in Japan and Korea). 

Other  activities  will  include  analyses  of  the 
impact  of  the  S&T 
cooperation  agreements,  the  meeting  of  the  various  joint  committees 
responsible  for  monitoring  the  cooperation  agreements  and  the  Europe-
Japan  Science  and  Technology  Forum.  As  recommended  by  the 
monitoring  panel,  a management  information  system  will  be  implemented 
and  the  publicity  campaign  on  INCO  will  continue  in  various  forms: 
written  (success  stories,  catalogue  of  INCO  projects,  etc.),  audiovisual 
(slides, etc.) and electronic (INCO homepage on Cordis-Europa). 

The  political  priorities  will  be to  prepare  for  enlargement,  particularly  by 
encouraging  full  association  of  the  applicant  countries  in  the  Fifth 
Framework  Programme,  and  to  build  closer  relations  with  the  non-
associated  Central and Eastern European  countries.  The  S&T  agreements 
between the EU and the USA and Russia will also be concluded. 

Looking  ahead  to  implementation  of  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme, 
there  are  plans  to  amend  various  S&T  agreements  (the  EEA  Agreement 
must  not  only  be  extended  to  the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  but  also 
adjusted  to  take  account  of  the  supplementary  funding  for  the  Fourth 
Framework Programme). 

Coordination  of  S&T  with  the  Member  States  will  be  stepped  up,  for 
example  via  the  secretariat  for  the  European  initiative  for  agricultural 
research  for  development,  by  coordinating  individual  Member  States' 
health programmes, via the Member  States'  contact  group  and  within  the 
biotechnology  network  set  up  as  part  of  the  cooperation  on  S&T  with 
China.  Efforts  will also be made to  obtain  a fuller  picture  of  cooperation 
in the RTD field between  the  Member  States  and  non-member  countries 
and international  organisations (INCOPOL study). 

The  redeployment  of  international  cooperation  in  the  Fifth  Framework 
Programme  will  call,  inter  alia,  for  defining  the  interactions  between  the 
INCO  programme  and 
in  the  Framework 
Programme  and  producing  stronger  synergies between  COST, EUREKA, 
international  organisations and the Framework  Programme. 

the  other  programmes 

Recycling of 50 tonnes of plutonium from military plants in Russia: 
In Moscow in April  1996 the G7 countries and Russia decided to  cooperate 
more closely on the downgrading of plutonium from  the dismantling of Russia's 
nuclear weapons. 
The Community is making an active contribution to putting these G7 
conclusions into action, by financing projects run by the ISTC in Moscow. 

61 

3RD ACTIVITY OF THE FOURTH  FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 

DISSEMINATION  AND OPTIMISATION  OF  RESULTS 
(INNOVATION PROGRAMME) 

Activities  in  1997 

Activities  in  1997  focused  on  the  implementation  of  (i)  the  First  Action 
Plan for  Innovation  (see above chapter  I -  paragraph  3 of the report) and 
the 
the  specific  programme  corresponding 
INNOVATION Programme. 

third  activity, 

the 

to 

Implementation  of the INNOVATION Programme concentrated  on (i) the 
follow-up  to  the  network  of  Innovation  Relay  Centres  and  CORDIS, 
(ii) intellectual  property  and 
the  financing  of  innovation,  (iii)  the 
technology  transfer  and technology  validation  demonstration  projects  and 
(iv) support for regional innovation  infrastructures. 

A mid-term evaluation of the network  of Innovation Relay Centres (ERCs) 
was  carried  out  in  1997  prior  to  its  extension  for  two  additional  years. 
It 
Client  satisfaction  was  a  major  criterion  used  in  the  evaluation. 
indicated  that  the  network  is functioning  well  and  is likely to  still  further 
increase  its  performance  during  the  next  two  years.  The  performance  of 
29  Relay  Centres  out  of  52  (i.e.  56  %)  was  rated  very  good.  Seven 
centres  (i.e.  14  %)  were  evaluated  as  performing  below  expectations. 
Following this evaluation,  the network  of IRCs is being  extended  for  two 
years and those IRCs rated  as performing  poorly were  restructured. 

As  regards  CORDIS,  a  user  survey  was  carried  out  by  a  professional 
market  research  organisation  at  the  beginning  of  1997.  The  survey 
indicated  that  CORDIS  is  known  as  the  major  information  service  for 
Community  R&D  and  that  it  is  used  regularly  by  the  vast  majority  of 
intermediaries  active 
to  10 
recommendations  related  to  future  developments  of  the  system,  most  of 
which,  after  discussion  with  the  programme  committee,  were  taken  into 
account  in the  call for  tenders  for  provision  of the  CORDIS  service  over 
the  next  two  years  (OJ  S 247,  19.12.1997,  p.  27).  A  new  type  of  user 
service  was  introduced,  called  Rapidus,  allowing  users  to  receive 
automatically, via e-mail, information  tailored to their expressed needs. 

field.  The  survey  also 

in  this 

led 

The  main  activity  in the  area  of  financing  innovation  has been  the  launch 
of the  I-TEC  pilot  project  in  cooperation  with  the  European  Investment 
Fund. I-TEC  is to  support  the establishment  of an adequate  availability  of 
skilled  human  resources  able  to  appraise  and  follow  up  early  stage, 
technology  investments,  and  thus,  in  the  medium  to  long  term,  to 
encourage venture capital investment in such projects. 

Also  a call was  launched  inviting  proposals  for  the  transnational  transfer, 
promotion  and dissemination of measures, schemes and good  practices, to 
bring  together  financiers,  technologists  and  SME  support  organisations 
and  to  stimulate the  creation  of firms by researchers  (public  and  private). 
One  of  the  proposals  selected  is  a  consortium  consisting  of  National 
Westminster Bank (UK), Deutsche Bank  (Germany), ING Bank (NL), the 
Innovation  Partnership  (UK)  and  the  Fraunhofer  Gesellschaft  (Germany) 
which  seeks  to  further  develop  and  disseminate  the  Dutch  "technology 
rating system" for technology-based  SMEs. 

62 

Example of results 

INNOVATION'S various 
activities in the area of 
intellectual  property 
including the IPR parts 
of the First Action Plan 
for Innovation and the 
collaboration with the 
European Patent  Office 
have given a -if not the-
major impulse to 
important new European 
initiatives in the area 
such as the Green Paper 
on intellectual property 
and the decision by the 
European Patent 
Organisation to set up a 
web-based  pan-European 
patent  information 
service. 

Inl997theCORDIS-
website registered  10 
million visits compared 
to 2.2 million in 1996. 
Also the average number 
of active users (using 
CORDIS at least twice a 
month) nearly doubled to 
47500 in 1997 compared 
to 25000 in 1996. 
Circulation of CORDIS 
Focus increased to 32000 
in 1997, compared to 
22000 in 1996. 

Activities in the area of intellectual  property included : 
- 

the  development  of  the  concept  of  IPR  helpdesk  for  EU  RTD  results 
and the launch of a call for tenders for establishing such a helpdesk; 
the  second  round  of  the  "Quick  Scan"  pilot  operation  which  in 
collaboration  with  the  European  Patent  Office  checks  the  novelty  of 
technologies in technology transfer  and technology validation  projects; 
the  completion  of the  Straus  report  on  the  present  state  of the  patent 
system in the EU; 
the  organisation  of the  PATINNOVA  conference  (May  1997),  one  of 
the major  get-togethers of patent professionals  in Europe; 
the  organisation  of  the  second  series  of  training  seminars  on  IPR 
involving more than  100 project  officers; 
the  administration  of  the  Community  patent  portfolio  (approximately 
1500 patents) and safeguarding  of the European trademarks and logos. 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

In  technology  transfer  and  validation,  two  calls  were  evaluated  in  1997, 
bringing  to  230  the  total  number  of  proposals  supported  for  a  definition 
phase  since  the  beginning  of  INNOVATION.  It  is  expected  that  about 
150 of them  will lead  to  a larger  demonstration  phase.  SMEs  participate 
in 90 %  of the  demonstration  phases  and  coordinate  60 %  of them.  The 
ultimate  objective  of  these  projects  is  to  be  test-beds  for  transnational, 
often  also  intersectoral,  technology  validation  and/or  transfer  and  to 
demonstrate  good  practice.  As  such  the  demonstration  phases  are  built 
around  the  following  pillars  :  (i)  managing  transnational  technology 
validation  and/or  transfer,  (ii)  intellectual  property,  (iii)  absorbing  or 
assimilating new technologies, (iv) mastering technological  know-how. 

Regional  actions  include  audits  of  regional  infrastructures  to  support 
innovation and technology transfer.  Following the  1997 call for  proposals 
about  90 regions have been participating  in this scheme  since  1995.  Three 
main types of results are emerging from  these projects : 
-  boosting  innovation  finance  capabilities 
Charentes, Hamburg, Wiener-Neustadt); 

in  regions  (e.g.  Poitou-

-  development  (or  reorganisation)  of  innovation  support  organisations, 
in  particular  technology  centres,  to  better  adapt  them  to  SME  needs 
(e.g. Highlands and Islands, Umbria, Extremadura); 
improving links between vocational training and SMEs. 

- 

Furthermore  some  of  the  participating  regions  are  using  the  results  of 
these audits to  maximise the benefits  of EU  structural  funds'  interventions 
in  order  to  strengthen  a homogeneous  regional  economic  and  innovation 
policy (Limburg/NL, Halle/Leipzig/Dassau). 

Work programme  in  1998 

Activities  will  focus  on  managing  the  projects  selected  in  the  previous 
years,  the  implementation  of  the  continuation  of  CORDIS,  the  further 
development  of  the  IPR  and  Innovation  Financing  Helpdesks  for  EU 
RTD-results,  the  preparation  and  launch  of the  horizontal  programme  on 
"Innovation  and  Participation  of  SMEs"  under  the  5th  Framework 
Programme.  The  cycle  of  conferences  on  "Innovation,  creation  of  new 
businesses and  employment" which was started  by the conference  in Paris 
(December  1997),  will  be  continued  and  involve  major  conferences  in 
Luxembourg  (May  1998) and Vienna (November  1998). 

63 

The network of 52 
Innovation Relay 
Centres, during the  first 
16 months of operation 
(i.e. from October  '95 till 
February  '97) was 
contacted  more than 
120000 times for advice 
related to technology 
transfer  and/or 
submission of proposals 
to EU programmes, 
performed  7500 audits 
for  clients wishing to 
offer  or requiring 
technology,  negotiated 
1250 transnational 
technology  transfer 
agreements of which 190 
were signed. In addition 
the IRCs contributed 
more than 2750 
proposals that were 
submitted for EU RTD 
programmes of which 
700 were accepted for 
funding.  More 
importantly the trends in 
these numbers are 
increasing. 

The first nine venture 
capital  funds  selected 
under I-TEC will invest 
ECU  186 million of 
(private) venture capital 
for early stage 
technology investments 
in SMEs over the next 
three years. (For 
comparison, in 1996, 
ECU 441 million was 
invested  in early stage 
projects in Europe by the 
venture capital  profession 
as a whole (source: 
EFVA). 

4TH ACTIVITY OF THE FOURTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 

STIMULATION  OF  THE  TRAINING  AND  MOBILITY  OF  RESEARCHERS 
(TMR) 

Activities in 1997 

Implementation  of  the  TMR  programme  and  of  the  contracts  still  in 
progress  under  the  Human  Capital  and  Mobility  (HCM)  and  Science 
programmes continued in 1997. 

Under the TMR programme,  1 190 contracts were concluded  in  1997,  of 
which  980  were  for Marie  Curie Fellowships,  64  for  research  networks, 
ten  for  concerted  action  on 
facilities  and  136  for 
Euroconferences,  summer  schools  and  practical  courses.  Funding  was 
also approved for 83 new research network projects. 

large-scale 

A  more  active  approach  was  taken  to  apply  the  results  of  the  TMR 
programme and of its predecessors  - the HCM and Science programmes. 
Another major concern throughout the year were the preparations for the 
specific programme on improving the human research potential. 

The  accompanying  measures  for  this  programme  included,  in particular, 
organisation  of  the  9th  European  contest  for  young  scientists  aged 
between  15 and 20 in Milan from 9 to  14 September, establishment  of the 
Marie Curie Association to keep in touch with fellows and sound out their 
opinion  on,  for  example,  new  Commission  proposals,  the  study  by  the 
working  party  on  industry  on  industrial  participation  in  the  programme 
and the call for proposals to study the role of women in research. 

Other  action  in  the  course  of  the  year  focused  on  the  need  to  find 
appropriate  solutions  to  the  disparities  in  the  treatment  of  researchers 
awarded Marie Curie grants by the Community. 

In  1997  big  improvements  were  made  in  implementation  of  the 
programme,  as confirmed  in the  1997  report by the monitoring  panel for 
the TMR programme.  These included: 
•  considerable  shortening of the delays between  submission  of proposals 
and notification  of the  decision  to  the  proposers  and  signature  of the 
contracts; 

•  the  setting  of  annual  objectives  for  all  units  in  the  programme 
concerning,  in particular,  processing  of proposals,  management  of the 
evaluation panels and management of contracts; 

•  tighter monitoring of contracts, particularly on-the-spot inspections; 
•  wider public information on the programme, particularly via Internet; 
• 

improvements  in  the  evaluation  procedures,  e.g. 
interdisciplinary 
approach  and  greater  transparency  on  points  awarded  by  the 
evaluators. 

Examples  of results 

A young trainee 
researcher in one 
network developed 
instant teleportation of 
the quantum state of 
photons.  This should 
allow consequent 
improvements in 
quantum computers. 

The NEUROS network 
is working on restoring 
the mobility of 
paraplegics with the aid 
of implants stimulating 
muscles.  Six young 
trainee researchers in this 
network are each 
working in two different 
teams and cooperating 
with the industrial 
partner. 

One young grantholder 
was given an opportunity 
to continue his research 
on functioning of the 
brain during epileptic  fits, 
particularly on the 
potential adverse side-
effects  of long-term 
treatment with anti 
convulsives.  The results 
hold out hope of 
improvements in the 
active agents in anti 
convulsives to reduce the 
adverse effects. 

64 

One young Italian 
grantholder built an 
autonomous robot 
capable of learning 
simple tasks adapted to 
the real world.  This 
project  has been warmly 
welcomed.  It won the 
Italian prize for  artificial 
intelligence.  The 
designer has been taken 
on as a researcher by his 
host institute. 

One young grantholder 
was able to take his 
research on 
superconductivity a stage 
further  towards opening 
the way to transporting 
electric currents long 
distances.  He focused in 
particular on adaptation 
of the materials to large-
scale applications, for 
example cables and 
transformers.  Having 
met this challenge this 
researcher was offered  a 
five-year post by his 
previous research 
institute. 

Contribution  to Community RTD  objectives 

The programme management measures adopted  have significantly  boosted 
industrial  participation  in  the  projects. 
Industrial  participation  in  the 
"research  networks"  activity  in  particular  has  doubled  since  the  first  call 
for  proposals  published  at  the  start  of  the  programme  and  more  than 
trebled  compared with the Human Capital  and Mobility programme. 

There  are  also  plans,  to  introduce  industrial  fellowships  in  the  5th 
Framework Programme. 

Participation  by entities from the less-favoured  regions  of the  Community 
also increased, from its already high level. 

Employment:  By  the  end  of  implementation  of  the  TMR  programme, 
grants  equivalent  to  5 600 researcher-years  will  have been  granted  plus a 
further  6 500  or  so  under  the  training  and  networks  activities.  Another 
point  which  must  be  stressed  is  that  these  grants  boost  the  young 
researchers'  chances  of finding  a  stable job  in  the  research  sector  at  the 
end of their fellowship. 

Work programme for 1998 

Work  on  the  TMR  programme  will  continue  in  1998,  together  with 
completion  of the HCM and Science programmes. 

In the case of the individual grants, the programme introduced  in  1997 for 
systematic  monitoring  of  the  contracts,  under  which  50%  of  the 
grantholders have been contacted, will be completed. 

The top  priority  for  the  activities  on  networks  and  large  facilities  will  be 
to  organise  the  mid-term  evaluations  of  each  contract  by  panels  of 
independent  experts.  A  conference  will  also  be  held  on  the  networks 
activities  to  allow  closer  examination  of the  performance  of  a  number  of 
them. 

Amongst the accompanying measures, preparations will be made to  award 
the  first  Descartes  prize  to  a  group  of  research  teams  from  different 
Member  States  or  associated  countries  which  have  made  a  substantial 
contribution  to  solving  a  scientific  or  technological  problem  with  the  aid 
of  transfrontier  cooperation  and  to  individual  researchers  who  have 
attained  scientific  success  in  a  laboratory  or  university  outside  their 
country of origin. 

With a view to  coordination  with  other training  activities, the  programme 
will  continue  to  provide  its  input  to  the  action  plan  on  the  Green  Paper 
entitled  "Education  - Training  - Research.  The  obstacles to  transnational 
mobility." 

Finally, as recommended  by the monitoring panel, a call for  proposals will 
be published  in  1998 to farm  out to  an outside agency  some of the routine 
tasks  entailed  in processing  proposals  and  managing  the  contracts  for  the 
proposals  selected.  And, of course, preparations  for  the Fifth  Framework 
Programme will continue. 

65 

ipINT RESEARCH CENTRE (JRC) 

The  Joint  Research  Centre  is  the  European  Union's  scientific  and 
technical  research  laboratory, with headquarters in Brussels. Five  separate 
sites,  located  in  Belgium,  Germany,  Italy,  the  Netherlands  and  Spain, 
house  seven  research  institutes,  each  with  its  own  focus  of  expertise: 
Reference  Materials  and  Measurements,  Transuranium 
'Elements, 
Advanced  Materials,  Systems,  Informatics  and  Safety,  Environment, 
Space Applications, and Prospective Technological  Studies. 

Mission 
The  JRC  promotes  and  carries  out  customer-driven  research  of  the 
highest  quality  and  integrity  in  support  of  Community  policies.  It  is  an 
integral  part  of  the  Community  RTD  system.  It  executes  research 
programmes  funded  from  the Framework  Programmes  and  engages  itself 
in  competitive  activities,  participating  in  joint  projects  with  industry, 
research  organisations and universities of the Member States. 
More than 2000 scientists, engineers and other professionals  are employed 
on  a  full-time  basis  under  different  contractual  arrangements:  temporary 
industry  or  national 
researchers,  grant  holders,  visiting  scientists, 
government  secondments, officials,  etc. 
The  overall  credits  committed  in  1997 were  of around  ECU  291  million; 
of these, about  ECU  246 million were funded  by the Commission  budget, 
about  ECU  37 million  came from diverse competitive  activities  and  about 
ECU  8 million  from  specific  funding  to  the  High  Flux  Reactor  (HFR)  in 
Petten (NL). 

The year 1997 
1997  was  a  year  of  strong  evolution  towards  the  customer-driven 
approach  undertaken  in  previous  years.  Some  achievements  of  1997  are 
highlighted in this report.  In particular,  an innovative form  of radiotherapy 
was  for  the  first  time  tested  on  patients  suffering  from  brain  cancer,  and 
preliminary  clinical  trials  have  shown  promising  results  in  treating 
leukaemia with alpha-immunotherapy. 

A  Technology  Transfer  Initiative  was  proposed,  including  collaborative 
agreements  for  sharing  large  installations,  a  capital  fund,  training  and 
education  initiatives,  a  telematics  network  for  technology  transfer,  and 
procedures for bringing forward  new technologies to production  stage. 

Research  activities 

The  JRC  research  activities,  as  described  by  the  Council,  are  those  for 
which  the  JRC  has  expertise  and  special,  if  not  unique  facilities  in  the 
Community,  and  which  contribute  to  the  implementation  of  the  research 
and technological  development  policy of the Community. 

to  65%  of  the  JRC 
These  in-house  research  activities  amounted 
programme  budget  in  1997.  As  established  by  the  Council  Decisions, 
JRC  research  covered  subjects  such  as  advanced  materials,  surface 
engineering,  non-destructive  evaluation  techniques  for  the  inspection  of 
industrial  structural  components,  reference  measurements  and  materials, 
the  assessment  of  the  reliability  of  buildings  and  civil  engineering 
structures,  the  atmosphere,  soil, water  and  waste  pollution,  the  setting-up 

66 

Examples of results 

Alpha-immunotherapy: 
An alpha-emitting radio 
isotope, bismuth-213, was 
prepared  and adapted to a 
new kind of 
immunotherapy  against 
cancer.  It is a by-product 
of nuclear energy, derived 
from  nuclear waste, and 
decays rapidly into a non 
radioactive substance. 
Early clinical trials carried 
out at the Memorial Sloan-
Kettering Cancer Center in 
New-York, USA, on 
leukaemia patients, 
showed for the first time 
that alpha-particle therapy 
could be feasible and safe. 

Standards and norms for 
materials: 
Standards and norms are 
of vital importance for 
industry, in particular 
when reliability and quality 
are at stake.  The JRC has 
contributed to new 
standard test methods for 
mechanical  performance 
assessment of technical 
ceramics and composites, 
thermo-mechanical fatigue, 
damage tolerance of 
ceramic composites and 
residual stress, and to the 
improvement  of existing 
standards. JRC 
collaborates closely with 
CEN (Comité Européen de 
Normalisation), VAMAS 
(Versailles project  on 
Advanced Materials and 
Standards) and ESIS 
(European  Structural 
Integrity Society). 

Boron  neutron  capture 
therapy (BNCT) against 
malignant brain tumors: 
BNCT is an innovative 
form  of radiotherapy 
which is being tested  for 
the first time in Europe at 
the JRC's HFR reactor at 
Petten (Netherlands). This 
new therapy is only at the 
clinical trials stage (5 
patients have been treated 
with clinical tests that 
began in October  1997). 
These tests are also a  first 
case of multi-national 
clinical application in 
Europe: patients from one 
country are treated in 
another country by 
physicians from  a third 
country. 

Environmental  sampling: 
The JRC is actively 
contributing to the EU 
policy to support and 
strengthen the 
International  Atomic 
Energy Agency's activities 
in nuclear safeguards as a 
member of its network of 
laboratories for the 
analyses of environmental 
samples.  JRC is also 
providing similar support 
to the Commission's 
Euratom  Safeguards 
Directorate (ESD) in the 
area of high  performance 
trace analysis. 

of  the  Centre  for  Earth  Observation  (CEO),  applications  of  remote 
sensing  techniques;  materials  for  clean  technologies,  standardisation  of 
photovoltaic devices; the science and technology observatory function  and 
prospective  work  in  which  the  essential  role  of  the  JRC  is  to  analyse, 
process  and  integrate  factual  information  on  technological  trends  for 
decision-makers;  studies  on  reactor  safety,  nuclear  safeguards,  fissile 
materials  management,  safety  of  nuclear  fuels,  fundamental  research  into 
actinides, and support to the ITER  project. 

Support  activities 

The  activities  to  support  the  services  of  the  Commission  accounted  for 
35%>  of  the  JRC  programme  budget  in  1997.  They  were  related  to 
information 
technologies,  environment  and  climate,  agriculture  and 
fisheries,  targeted  socio-economic  research,  and  nuclear  safety  and 
safeguards.  They  correspond  to  activities which  necessitate  the  neutrality 
of  the  JRC  and  respond  to  requirements  arising  from  EU  directives, 
decisions  of  the  Commission  and  the  Council,  or  obligations  stemming 
from  the Euratom  Treaty. 

The support  activities continued to be implemented  in three main lines: 

The  support  to  the  environmental  policy  which  accounted  for  43% of 
the  support  budget,  provided  DG  XI  (Environment,  Nuclear  Safety  and 
the 
Civil  Protection)  with  scientific  and 
implementation  of  the  legislation  on  atmospheric  pollution,  chemical 
pollutants,  chemical  waste,  water  quality,  industrial  risks  and  nuclear 
safety.  This is part  of the 5th EC Action Programme on the Environment. 

technical  assistance  for 

The  support  to  the  common  agricultural  policy  (DG  VI),  which 
accounted  for  17% of the support budget,  concentrated  on applications of 
remote  sensing  for  agricultural  statistics,  monitoring  and  control  of  the 
common  agricultural  policy and  implementation  of Community  legislation 
and  prevention  of  fraud,  including  the  IDEA  project  for  the  electronic 
identification  of animals. 
The  support  for  nuclear  safeguards  (Euratom  safeguards  in  support  of 
DG XVII, Energy,  IAEA safeguards  support  of DG I-External  Relations) 
accounted  for  28%  of  the  support  budget  in  areas  such  as  training  of 
inspectors,  completion  of the  design  phase  of the  on-site  laboratories  for 
safeguards  analysis  at  the  reprocessing  plant  at  La Hague  and  Sellafield, 
and  work  on  testing  of  safeguards  equipment  together  with  sealing  and 
identification  techniques. 

Competitive  activities 

Competitive  activities  are becoming  an integral  part  of the JRC  corporate 
culture and  a significant  increase in revenue from  new contracts  has been 
accomplished  in respect  of the two previous years.  Where its neutrality  is 
not  compromised,  JRC  develops  competitive  activities  in  order  to  enter 
new areas, diversify  and strengthen its competences. 

Under  the  Community  RTD  Framework  Programmes,  the  JRC 
participated  in  shared-cost  action  funded  by  other  Community  research 
programmes  in association  with  partners  from  Member  States,  for  a  total 
contract  value  of  ECU  15.5  million,  and  obtained  contracts  for  a  total 
value of ECU  18.5 million  from  the programme  for  competitive  scientific 

67 

and  technical  support  activities  described  in the  next  section,  in  response 
to invitations to tender. 

Outside  the  Framework  Programmes,  the  JRC  obtained  new  contracts 
from  third parties (mainly research  services to  industrial  companies), for a 
total  of  ECU  11.1  million.  It  participated  in  various  other  Community 
activities  that  are  put  out  to  tender  such  as  PHARE,  TACIS  and 
cooperation  with  developing  countries  for  a  total  contracted  value  of 
ECU 6.1 million. 

High Flux Reactor (HFR) supplementary  programme 

The  HFR  is  operated  by  the  JRC  in  Petten  (Euratom/Netherlands 
agreement  of  25  July  1961  and  Council  Decision  of  27  June  1996  for  a 
supplementary  research  programme  covering  1996-1999).  Besides  its 
traditional  work  for  the  nuclear  R&D  and  industry,  a  large  part  of HFR 
activities are dedicated to medical  applications  such as the  implementation 
of  Boron  Neutron  Capture  Therapy  (BNCT)  and  the  production  of 
medical  radioisotopes  for  the  European  radio-pharmaceutical  industry. 
Another  significant  achievement  is the upgrading  of a beam tube, used  for 
the measurement  of residual stress in materials by neutron diffraction.  This 
technique  is  applicable  to  a wide  range  of  components  used  in  industrial 
plants, aeronautics, or the car industry. 

Communication, collaboration, publications  and  conferences 

The JRC promotes  collaborative  research  and  networks  with  partnerships 
from  all  the  EU  Member  States  and  around  the  world.  The  JRC  is 
in  collaboration  agreements  with  research  organisations, 
involved 
universities,  and  private  industries.  It  now  has  more than  1000 partners, 
out of which 875 are from  the European Union. 

In  1997 the  JRC  published  a total  of  1 333  papers,  the  detailed  list being 
published  each year in the "Publications Bulletin".  The latest  issue, No  17 
of March  1997, lists all publications issued in  1996. 
In  addition  to  publications,  there  were  23  patents  granted  in  1997,  a 
considerable increase in comparison with previous years . 
Each  year,  the  JRC  organises  a  number  of  conferences,  workshops  and 
seminars  at  its  five  sites  in  Europe  and  information  days  in  the  Member 
States.  The  numerous  visitors  show  the  constant  interest  of the  scientific 
community  in  the  contributions  made  by  the  Joint  Research  Centre  to 
research  and  development.  Its  achievements  received  considerable  media 
attention during 1997. 

More  detailed  information  can  be  found  in  the  1997  JRC  Annual 
Report. 

Work programme for  1998 

1998 will be a most  important  year when,  on the  one hand,  objectives  set 
forth  at  the  beginning  of  the  Fourth  Framework  Programme  will  be 
accomplished  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  transition  to  the  new  priorities 
foreseen  for  the  JRC  activities  in the  Fifth  Framework  Programme  needs 
to be initiated.  The work  programme  of the  JRC  for  1998 was  approved 
by the board  of governors in December  1997. 

68 

Safeguards  plant at 
Obninsk: 
JRC, with the Institute for 
Physics and Power 
Engineering (IPPE) at 
Obninsk, Russia, has been 
given the task of designing 
and implementing the 
Safeguards 
Methodological  and 
Training Centre in IPPE. 
The principal tasks of the 
Centre are the training of 
plant operators and of 
inspectors of the Russian 
authorities to help in the 
development and 
implementation  of 
upgraded  approaches for 
accounting and 
safeguarding  fissile 
materials.  The project is 
financed  by the TACIS 
Programme to improve 
nuclear material 
accountancy and control in 
Russia. 

Technology transfer  and 
intellectual  property: 
mechanisms have been 
proposed  for  providing 
technology users across 
Europe with access to JRC 
facilities,  results, 
intellectual  property, 
expertise and know-how. 
They offer  flexible  options 
such as collaboration 
agreements and 
innovation-oriented 
actions.  An effort  was 
made in  1997 to  increase 
the awareness of the JRC 
staff on intellectual 
property issues and patent 
coordinators were trained. 

ANTI-PERSONNEL MINE DETECTION  SYSTEM 
AND  STRATEGIES 

JRC set up an outdoor test range for establishing 
standards to validate the performance of mine detection 
sensors (e.g. metal detectors, ground penetrating radars 
and thermal infrared sensors). The facility has been used 
by Various mine-detection sensor producers, and in 
feasibility studies of a multi-sensor system for anti 
personnel mine detection and identification.  The 
standards obtained will be applied to subsequent tests, as 
well as to mine clearance projects suppoted by the 
European Commission in mine-infected countries. 

QUICK RESPONSE TO CONSUMER CONCERN: 
SAFETY OF EURO COINS 

In the field of heavy metal traces of environmental or 
biomedical relevance, analytical research was carried out 
on the release of nickel from euro coins. Concern had been 
raised by the European Bureau for Consumer Protection 
about the potential of nickel released from such coins to 
provoke allergies while being handled by consumers. The 
JRC carried out the necessary chemical reference 
measurements and found that the nickel released from the 
new euro was similar to that of many coins currently in 
circulation, and substantially lower than some of them. 

69 

COMPÉTITIVE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT ACTIVITIES 

The  Fourth  RTD  Framework  Programme  provided  for  a  competitive 
approach  for  scientific  and  technical  support  to  Community  policies. 
These  support  activities  come  under  a  separate  specific  programme 
adopted  by  the  Council  on  15 December  1994  (Decision  94/918/EC). 
These  activities  cover  the  work  carried  out  for  the  Commission's 
Directorates-General  and which,  since  1995, may be carried  out  either by 
a research  organisation from  a Member  State  or  by the JRC  (competitive 
approach),  where  the  neutrality  and  independence  of  a  Commission 
service is not  required. 

These activities are implemented in two stages: 
«  re-allocation  on an annual basis of the appropriations  available between 

the various Commission Directorates-General  and services; 

•  administration  of  these  resources  by  each  Directorate-General  or 

service  concerned. 

In  order  to  guarantee  appropriate  transparency  and  satisfy  the  needs,  the 
resources  are allocated  by an interdepartmental  group  representing  all the 
Directorates-General  and services concerned  and convened  and chaired by 
the Commission's  Secretariat-General.  It meets on an ad hoc basis, but at 
least twice a year. 

This group  examines the needs  identified  by the  Directorates-General.  It 
analyses  requests,  verifies  compatibility  with  the  objectives  of  the 
Framework  Programme  and  decides  on  an  annual  allocation  within  the 
limits  of the  available  budget  (budget  heading  B6-792).  Account  is  also 
taken  of  any  funding  available  from  other  programmes  and  scope  for 
integration  or convergence between  several  projects. 

The  Directorates-General  and  services  whose  proposals  are  selected  are 
responsible  for  managing  the  funds  allocated.  They  bring  into  play 
competition  between  suppliers  (which  may  include  the  JRC)  in  order  to 
secure  the  best  terms  in  the  light  of  their  requirements.  The  resources 
allocated  are  managed  in  accordance  with  the  relevant  rules  in  force,  in 
particular  the  provisions  of  the  financial  regulation  applicable  to  the 
general budget  of the European  Communities. 

Examples of results 

The TREES II project 
entered  its third year in 
1997.  The objective is to 
develop a prototype 
system for  monitoring 
tropical  rainforests 
worldwide. 

In the ECCAIRS-4 
project  to improve safety 
by creating a new 
instrument for  detecting 
safety  deficiencies  in civil 
aviation, a system for 
pooling data gathered at 
national level under the 
system for  compulsory 
submission of incident 
reports by air operators 
has been developed and 
brought into service. 

From  financial  commitments  totalling  almost  ECU 38 million  available  in  1997,  the  16  spending 
departments  funded  99  new  or  ongoing  projects  (one  project  may  give  rise  to  several  contracts) 
totalling ECU 36 million, i.e. an implementation rate of 95%. 

A total  of ECU 23.7 million was paid  out  for  all the  projects  in progress  in  1997 to  research  institutes, 
universities, bodies, other contract  signatories and to the JRC, all selected on a competitive basis. 

Following the participation  of two  additional  services in the activities covered  by the budget  heading in 
1997, three new services submitted  requests for  1998.  Altogether 20 Directorates-General  and services 
will  draw  on  the  commitment  and/or  payment  appropriations  for  competitive  scientific  and  technical 
support  activities in  1998. 

70 

ANNEXII 

„Àm 

STATISTICAL AND FINANCIAL DATA;  1997A^tfALfiASis 
,,/' 
AND FRAMEWORK PKOGRAMMES 

Description of tables 

72 

Table  1 
Table  2 

Table  3A 

Table  3B 

Table  4 

Table  5A 

Table  5B 

Table  6 

Table  7 

Table  8 

Table  9 

Table  10 

Table  11 

EC FP4 + Euratom FP; EC FP2 + FP3 
Specific programmes (EC FP4 + Euratom FP): all projects 
(contracts signed in  1997) 
Specific programmes under EC FP3: all  projects 
(contracts signed in  1997), all types of projects 
Specific  programmes under EC FP4 + Euratom FP: all  projects 
(contracts signed), all types of projects 
Calls for  proposals evaluated by the Commission  in  1997 by  specific 
programme under EC FP4 + Euratom FP 
Breakdown  of the Community contribution  and number of participations by 
type of organisation: Specific programmes under EC FP4 + Euratom FP; 
shared-cost  actions (SCA): new projects  (contracts signed in  1997) 
Share (%)  of the Community contribution  and number of participations 
by type of organisation: Specific  programmes under EC FP4 + Euratom FP; 
shared-cost  actions (SCA): new projects  (contracts signed in  1997) 
Access to European  research for Objective  1 regions: specific  programmes 
under EC FP4 + Euratom FP: shared-cost  actions (SCA); new  projects 
(contracts signed in  1997) 
Intra-country and inter-country  collaboration  links, excluding international 
organisations: specific  programmes under EC FP4 + Euratom FP: 
shared-cost  actions; new projects (contracts signed in  1997) 
1998 timetable for  calls for proposals and the selection  procedure; 
budget  - specific  programmes under EC FP4 + Euratom FP 
Funding of the 4th EC framework  programme and of the Euratom 
framework  programme (million ECU) (including decisions on 
enlargement  and additional funding) 
Development  of Community research commitments - period  1984-1998 
(million ECU, current  prices) 
Development  of Community research commitments - period  1984-1998 
(million ECU,  1992 prices) 

73 

74 

75 

76 

77 

81 

82 

83 

84 

85 

89 

90 

91 

71 

DESCRIPTION OF TABLES 

Tables  1-8  provide  an  overview  of  Community  RTD  activities  in  1997  under  each 
specific  programme  in  quantitative  terms  (number  and  nature  of  projects,  number  of 
participations,  level  of funding,  etc.).  The  figures  refer  to  all  indirect  activities  under 
the  third  and  fourth  framework  programmes  for  all  projects.  The  figures  relating  to 
payments made are based  on budgetary  data  (Sincom) and not  on the contracts signed. 
The  data  take  account  of the  participation  of Member  States  and  of  countries  having 
concluded  specific  agreements  with  the  European  Union:  European  Economic  Area, 
and Israel. 

Tables  1 and  2  concern  all  shared-cost  actions,  special  measures,  concerted  actions, 
and preparatory,  accompanying and support  measures. 

Tables  3A  and  3B  indicate  the  number  of  contracts  signed  and  the  associated 
framework 
Community  contribution  since  the  beginning  of  the  3rd  and  4th 
programmes  respectively.  The  number  of  projects  under  way  and  payments  are  also 
given:  as in Table  1, payments  are  based  on  budgetary  data  (Sincom)  and  not  on  the 
contracts signed. 

Tables  5A-7 concern shared-cost  actions only. 
Tables 5A and 5B indicate amounts and percentages respectively. 
Table 6 concerns access to  research  for  Objective  1 regions,  and  indicates  the  number 
of  projects  and  the  associated  Community  contribution  to  which  the  Objective 1 
regions have access, and the number of participations from  Objective  1  regions. 
Table 7 indicates  the  number  of  collaboration  links  between  countries  and  between 
It  excludes  international  organisations,  which 
participants  from  the  same  country. 
generated  a further  412 links. 
(To understand  Tables 6 and 7,  please read the footnotes  carefully.) 

Tables  4 and  8 concern  calls for  proposals  made in  1997 and  1998 respectively.  They 
are not generated  from  a database,  but  are compiled  on an ad hoc basis from  the most 
exhaustive information  available. 

Tables  9. 10 and  11 concern budgetary  commitments. 
Table 9 concerns  the  funding  of the  fourth  framework  programme  and  takes  account 
of enlargement and the additional  funding. 
Tables  10 and  11 indicate  the  trend  of  Community  research  commitments  in  current 
prices  and  in  1992  prices  respectively,  in  accordance  with  the  Edinburgh  summit, 
which covered the period  1992-1999. 

N.B. 

For  the  sake  of  simplicity,  the  programme  on  agriculture  and  fisheries, 
including  agro-industry,  food  technologies,  forestry,  aquaculture  and  rural 
development,  is  sometimes  referred  to  simply  as  the  agriculture  and 
fisheries  programme. 

72 

RTD activities in 1997 

Table  1: EC FP4 + Euratom  FP; EC FP2  +  FP3 

New  projects 
(contracts  signed (2) in 1997 - EC FP4 + Euratom FP) 

AH projects  under  way  (3) 
(EC FP2 + FP3 + FP4 + Euratom FP) 

Community 
contribution 
(ECU  million) 
(4) 

Number of 
projects 

Number of 
participations 

Average  number of 
participations per 
project 

Average  number 
of  MS per project 
(5) 

Average 
Community 
contribution p er 
project 
(ECU  million) 

Number  of projects 
under  way at 31.12.97 
(6) 

Total  payments 
1997 
(ECU  million) 

Shared  cost actions (1) 

2209.11 

4072 

17900 

Concerted  actions  (1) 

41.18 

129 

1631 

4.40 

12.64 

2.87 

7.79 

Preparatory,  accompanying 
and support  measures (1) 

354.32 

2141 

4246 

1.98 

1.58 

TOTAL (7) 

2604.61 

6342 

23777 

3.75 

2.56 

0.54 

0.32 

0.17 

0.41 

8064 

2109.67 

453 

39.34 

2542 

338.47 

11059 

2487.48 

(1) Special  measures  are attached  either to shared-cost actions, or to concerted  actions, or to preparatory,  accompanying  and support  measures, as appropriate. 
(2) Contracts  signed in 1997, whether or not amended  by supplementary  contracts  signed  in 1997: see (7). 
(3) All signed  contracts  under way (completion  date after  31.12.1997)  for all specific  programmes  under EC FP4 + Euratom  FP; EC FP2 + FP3. 
(4) Sum of the total Community  contributions  to all new projects, as stipulated in the contracts  (i.e. for the entire duration of each  project). 
(5) MS = Member  States 
(6) Projects  under way at 31.12.1997 = contracts and supplementary  contracts  signed  before  1.1.1998 with a completion  date for research  work  after  31.12.1997. 
(7) The 1 079 supplementary  contracts  signed  in 1997, amending  contracts  originally  signed  in 1995 and  1996, accounted  for a further  ECU 381.29  million. 

Direct action - JRC : ECU 246.000 million in commitments 

73 

RTD activities in 1997 

Names  of specific  programmes 
(EC  FP4  +  EURATOM  FP) 

Telematics  applications 
Communication  technologies 
Information  technologies 
Industrial  and  materials  technologies 
Standards, measurements  and  testing 
Environment  and  climate 
Marine  science  and  technology 
Biotechnology 
Biomcdicinc  and  health 
Agriculture  and  fisheries 
Non-nuclear  energy 
Transport 
Targeted  socio-economic  research 
International  cooperation  (5) 
Dissemination  and  utilisation  of the  results  (6) 
Training  and  mobility  of  researchers 
Nuclear  fission  safety 
Controlled  thermonuclear  fusion 

Table 2: Specific  programmes  EC FP4 + Euratom FP: 
AH projects (contracts  signed  in  1997) 

Total  new projects  (contracts signed (2) In 1997; EC FP4 + Euratom FP) 

Shared-cost 
actions ( 1 ) 

Concerted 
actions (1) 

Accompanying 
measures ( 1 ) 

Community 
contribution 
(ECU  million) 

(3) 

Number  of 
projects 

Number  of 
participations 

Average  number  of 
participations  per 
project 

Average  number 
of  MS  per  project 

Average 
Community 
contribution  per 

(4) 

project 

(ECU 

million) 

Community 
contribution 
(ECU  million) 

Average  Community 
contribution  per 
project 

Community 
contribution  (ECU 
million) 

Community 
contribution  (ECU 
million) 

102.79 
1.15 
520.77 
492.64 
43.10 
126.87 
50.03 
130.24 
92.01 
142.18 
251.71 
77.89 
38.83 
163.03 
72.5 
178.74 
4.24 
115.89 

102 
3 
734 
944 
182 
298 
92 
309 
212 
347 
492 
109 
108 
797 
202 
1193 
47 
171 

1107 
25 
2835 
4490 
828 
1203 
316 
878 
1229 
1674 
2097 
1010 
485 
2695 
822 
1725 
170 
188 

10.85 
8.33 
3.86 
4.76 
4.55 
4.04 
3.43 
2.84 
5.80 
4.82 
4.26 
9.27 
4.49 
3.38 
4.07 
1.45 
3.62 
1.10 

3.75 

5.00 
4.00 
3.59 
2.69 
3.05 
2.69 
2.21 
2.89 
3.40 
4.82 
2.83 
5.18 
3.68 
1.60 
2.50 
1.28 
2.66 
1.09 

2.56 

1.01 
0.38 
0.71 
0.52 
0.24 
0.43 
0.54 
0.42 
0.43 
0.41 
0.51 
0.71 
0.36 
0.20 
0.36 
0.15 
0.09 
0.68 
0.41 

79.31 
0.46 
355.39 
482.11 
39.67 
116.12 
47.03 
117.14 
79.14 
124.84 
238.35 
60.67 
37.06 
128.23 
19.45 
168.73 
0.99 
114.42 
2209.11 

1.09 
0.46 
1.36 
0.60 
0.29 
0.70 
1.09 
0.92 
0.62 
0.58 
0.72 
0.71 
0.57 
0.37 
0.18 
0.16 
0.33 
0.85 

0.54 

0.20 
0.00 
0.63 
0.00 
0.20 
3.95 
0.20 
1.02 
11.59 
12.66 
0.00 
2.63 
0.00 
4.12 
0.00 
2.00 
1.98 
0.00 

23.28 
0.69 
164.75 
10.53 
3.23 
6.80 
2.80 
12.08 
1.28 
4.68 
13.36 
14.59 
1.77 
30.68 
53.05 
8.01 
1.27 
1.47 

41.18 

354.32 

TOTAL  (7) 

2604.61 

6342 

23777 

(1) Special  measures  arc attached  either to shared-cost actions, or to concerted  actions, or to preparatory, accompanying  and support measures, as appropriate. 
(2) Contracts signed  in  1997, whether or not amended  by supplementary  contracts  signed  in  1997: see (7). 
(3) Sum of the total  Community contributions  to all new projects,  as stipulated  in the contracts (i.e. for the entire duration of each project). 
(4) MS  = Member  States 
(5) Horizontal  international  cooperation  actions permitting  certain non-member countries  (e.g.  those  of Central  and Eastern Europe) to participate  in projects under specific  programmes  account  for a further Community contribution  of ECU  15.1  million. 
(6) "Special  measures" (79 projects - ECU  49.45  million)  designed  to support the establishment  of infrastructure  and innovation  support networks are attached  to the  "preparatory,  accompanying  and support measures". 
(7) The  1 079  supplementary contracts signed  in  1997,  amending  contracts originally  signed  in  1995  and  1996,  accounted  for a further ECU 381.29  million. 

74 

RTD activities in  1997 

Table 3A: Specific  programmes  under EC FP3: AH projects (contracts signed in 1997), 
all types of project 

Names of specific  programmes under  EC FP3 

Number  of  projects 
under  way at 31.12.97 
(1) 

Overall  number  of 
projects (2) 

Total  payments 1997 
(ECU  million) 

Overall  Community 
contribution  (ECU  million) 
(3) 

Information technologies 

Communication technologies 

Telematics applications of common interest 

Industrial and materials technologies 

Measurements and testing 

Environment 

Marine science and technology 

Biotechnology 

Agriculture and agro-industrial research, fisheries 

Biomedicine and health 

Life sciences and technologies for developing countries 

Non-nuclear energy 

Nuclear fission  safety 

Controlled thermonuclear  fusion 

Human capital and mobility 

Centralized action for diffusion  and utilization of results 

TOTAL 

9 

0 

0 

48 

21 

5 

5 

0 

133 

14 

39 

5 

0 

8 

150 

6 

443 

715 

123 

312 

1655 

202 

659 

145 

374 

578 

627 

355 

506 

125 

396 

3461 

207 

10440 

45.57 

17.36 

5.51 

55.05 

6.26 

14.97 

6.29 

14.81 

36.19 

13.37 

11.95 

10.72 

1.55 

7.80 

36.34 

1.08 

1488.00 

521.60 

379.00 

761.42 

57.69 

305.72 

107.72 

174.77 

350.06 

144.26 

121.59 

242.14 

46.28 

465.94 

548.06 

60.76 

284.82 

5775.01 

(1)  Projects under way at 31.12.1997: contracts signed before  1.1.1998 with a completion date for research work after 31.12.1997. 
(2)  Total number of projects since the beginning of the  third framework  programme, including those which have already been completed. 
(3)  Overall Community contribution over the whole duration of the  framework  programme. 

N.B.:  Data on the Thermie programme arc not included in this table, since up to  1994 Thermie was not covered by FP3. 

75 

RTD activities  in  1997 

Table 3B: Specific  programmes  under EC FP4 + Euratom  FP: All projects (contracts signed (1)) 
All types of project 

Names of specific programmes  under EC FP4 + Euratom FP 

Number  of projects  under 
way  at 31.12.97 
(2) 

Overall  number of 
projects (3) 

Total  payments 1997 
(ECU  million) 

Overall  Community 
contribution  (ECU  million) 
(4) 

Telematics applications 
Communication technologies 
Information  technologies 
Industrial and materials technologies 
Standards, measurements & testing 
Environment and climate 
Marine science and technology 
Biotechnology 
Biomedicine and health 
Agriculture and fisheries 
Non-nuclear energy 
Transport 
Targeted socio-economic research 
International cooperation 
Dissemination & utilization of the results 
Training and mobility of researchers 
Competitive S/T support 
Nuclear fission  safety 
Controlled thermonuclear  fusion 

TOTAL 

420 
145 
1109 
1158 
290 
574 
145 
433 
487 
614 
1143 
218 
127 
846 
351 
2127 

215 
213 

10615 

508 
154 
1762 
1802 
402 
790 
224 
739 
663 
940 
1371 
244 
160 
1756 
646 
3016 

251 
529 

15957 

189.7 
150.02 
380.71 
320.33 
30.91 
114.61 
51.03 
83.69 
83.11 
88.28 
155.07 
66.82 
23.28 
93.18 
51.70 
104.18 
18.96 
27.66 
154.41 

2187.65 

638.26 
477.80 
1400.77 
1127.98 
120.75 
380.97 
170.84 
424.12 
250.81 
445.37 
725.91 
224.17 
61.10 
297.36 
194.10 
556.73 

132.42 
•  547.00 

8176.45 

(1) Except where a specific programme provides otherwise, a project includes the initial and any supplementary contracts. 
(2) Projects under way at 31.12.1997: contracts signed before  1.1.1998 with a completion date for research work after 31.12.1997. 
(3) Total number of projects since the beginning of the  fourth  framework  programme, including those which have already been completed. 
(4) Overall Community contribution over the whole duration of the  framework  programme (including supplementary contracts). 

7« 

RTD  activities  in  1 9 97 

Table 4 : Calls for proposals evaluated by the Commission in 1997 by specific programme under EC FP4 + Euratom FP 

yy.i:::.y::::.X6*:y:$Z 

Telematics applications (excluding telematics engineering and support activities) 

Educational  multimedia 

Integrated applications for digital sites 

Research networks 

fCOMMUNÏCATION TECHNOLOGIES (ACTS) 
INFORMATION TBCHNOLOGIRS («SHUT) 

C381/22 (17/12/96) 

712 

C381/18 (17/12/96) 

C3 81/20 (17/12/96) 

C84/5 (13/03/97) 

CI83/22 (17/06/97) 

Stage  1: 837 

Stage 2: 107 

Stage  1: 79 
Stage 2: 26 

Stage  1: 6 
Stage 2:  1 

193 

Open microprocessor systems initiative - Technologies for business processes - Integration in manufacturing  - IT for mobility • 
Electronic commerce 

C84/12 (15/03/97) 

300 

Technologies for components and subsystems - Long-term research - High-performance  computing and networking 

Software  technologies: ESS I 

Software  technologies - Multimedia systems - Long-term research - Open microprocessor systems initiative - Integration in 
manufacturing + satellite communications + information  access - IT for learning and training in industry' 

Technologies for components and subsystems - Multimedia systems - Long-term research - High-performance  computing and 
networking 

Accompanying measures and various tasks (open call), including measures for  SMEs 

INDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES (Btft* Em-am) 

Thematic networks 
Accompanying measures 
Intelligent manufacturing  systems 
Technology stimulation actions for  SMEs 

(1) Including the reserve list, where appropriate. 
(2) n/t: not applicable 

CI83/06 (17/06/97) 

C280/09 (16/09/97) 

C357/07 (15/12/94) 

C381/19 (17/12/96) 
C357/03 (15/12/94) 
C357/03(15/12/94) 
CI 17/15 (15/04/97) 
C357/03 (15/12/94) 

157 

526 

698 

306 

605 
271 

1140 
156 
90 
1 
840 

77 

/&  ' t?*X?J'l  V 

jp*fX»*tt 

702 

805 

106 

76 
26 

6 
1 

193 

297 

144 

516 

654 

297 

598 
252 

1081 
156 
90 
1 
729 

246 

n/a(2) 

47 

n/a 
24 

n/a 
1 

117 

93 

13 

190 
74 

400 
86 
67 
1 
436 

35 

n/a 

44 

n/a 
92 

n/a 
100 

46 

27 

22 

32 
29 

37 
55 
74 
100 
60 

163.7 

n/a 

22.1 

n/a 
50.8 

n/a 
8.6 

79.7 

124 4 

520 

25.2 

92 4 

7 8 

4.5 

702.5 
540 
22 
44 
74.6 

RTD activities  in  1997 

Tabic 4 (continued):  Calls for  proposals  evaluated  hv the  Commission  in  1997 hv specific  programme  under  EC  FP4 + Euratom  FP 

* 

Names *f $p*et&c prograaimtt (EC ¥P* + I!wr*t»tt* Ft*) 
*«4 »ro» ftfwfQrk programme 

STANDARDS, MEASUREMENT AND TESTING 

Measurements for quality European products, including written standards for  industry 

Measurements  for quality European products, including written standards for  industry 

Research related to written standards and technical  support to trade, measurements related to the needs of society 

Thematic networks (open call) 

Accompanying measures (open call) 

Technology stimulation actions for  SMEs (open call) 
ENVIRONMENT AND CUMATE 

Notice N« and QJf dates «f 
tattt 
far proposal* 

Number of  . 
proposals 
rwehrd 

Number of 
eligible 
proposal* 

Fropwa 

t» wkctai by the Commissiaa (t) 

Nfanab«r 

44 of fofat eligible 
proposal* 

EC tftftfributfon 
. (E€l? million} 

C171/24 (15/06/96) 

129 

104 

CI71/23 (15/06/96) 

C381/24 (17/12/96) 

C357/06 (15/12/94) 

CI48/06 (15/06/95) 

C357/06 (15/12/94) 

40 

31 

56 

100 

39 

31 

56 

86 

47 

12 

17 

36 

39 

Research into the natural environment, environmental  qualitv and global change - Environmental  technologies - Space techniques 
applied to environmental  monitoring and research (excluding Area 3 3 CEO) - Human dimension of environmental  change 

C271/18(17/09'96) 

1182 

1177 

291 

ENRICH (European  Network for Research in Global Change) in the fields  of environment  and climate, and marine science and 
technology 

First call 

Advanced study courses 

Space techniques applied to environmental monitoring and research (Area 3 3 Centre for Earth Obsenation) 

Space techniques applied to environmental monitoring and research (.Area 3 2) 

Technology stimulation actions for  SMEs (open call): exploratory awards 

Cooperative research 
MARINE SCIKWfcAND TECHNO W>GY (MAST) 
Support  initiatives 

Strategic marine research in coastal and shelf seas - Structure and dynamics of shelf ecosystems (.Area B 1  2) 

Advanced study courses 

C306.09 (15/10/96) 

C381/21 (17/12/96) 

C183'10(17/06'97) 

CI 83/11  (I706'97) 

C381/21 (17/12/96) 

C271/18 (17/09/96) 

C075/05 (15/03/96) 

CI 10/10 (16/04/96) 

C381/26 (17/12/96) 

Marine science (Area A 1 1 only) - Strategic marine research (excluding areas B 1 2 and B 2 1) - Marine technology (Area C 2 onlv) 

CI 83/15 (17/06/96) 

Supporting initiatives (Area D 3 only) 

Technology stimulation actions for SMEs (open call) 

(1) Including the reserve list, where appropriate 

CI 83/16 (17/06/97) 

C357/19 (11/06/97) 

78 

62 

40 

100 

23 

111 

9 

11 

26 

12 

37 

3 

14 

61 

40 

97 

23 

107 

9 

11 

26 

12 

32 

3 

14 

20 

13 

7 

44 

9 

8 

5 

3 

7 

6 

45 

55 

56 

55 

64 

45 

25 

33 

33 

26 

30 

41 

100 

73 

19 

25 

67 

43 

30,4 

7,7 

8,5 

2,6 

2,9 

3.1 

203,0 

2,0 

0,9 

18,7 

13,6 

1.8 

3.5 

5.3 

6,5 

0,2 

12,5 

0,9 

0,3 

RTD activities  in  1997 

Table 4 : Calls for proposals evaluated  by the Commission in 1997 by specific  programme under EC FP4 + Euratom FP 

^ j t à m b e r *f 

, 

'NMmWo*  , 

P r o f H ^ w d c ^ t y^ 

4 ,i\^êhf/'r'' 

%«ftB<*Ur#W< 

1  £c<*Wib<*fc>«, 

Cell factories - Genome analysis - Plant biotechnology - Immunology and trans-disease vaccinology - Structural biology - Pre-
normative research - Biodiversity and social acceptance - Infrastructures  - ELSA 

C171/27 (15/06/96) 

391 

391 

107 

Training grants (open call) 

Training grants for advanced workshops (open call) 

Technology stimulation actions for SMEs (open call) 
BIOMEmCINE AND HEALTH (BJOMKD) 
Cancer research - Research on cardiovascular diseases - Research on chronic diseases, ageing and age-related diseases - Research on 
occupational and environmental health - Rare diseases - Public Health research, including health services research - Research on 
biomedical ethics - Horizontal activity: ethical, legal and social aspects - Horizontal activity:  demonstration 

* > . - * ' . - . * . , *, 

C171/28 (15/06/96) 

C381/25 (17/12/96) 

C240/09 (15/09/95) 

213 

3 

55 

C271/08 (17/09/96) 

1002 

Joint call for transmissible spongiform  encephalopathies 

Marie Curie research  fellowships 

Technology stimulation actions for SMEs 

A c a s u e i J L T t j R E A N n n s ^^ 
devriop*0eM)<FA!R) 

\*y''-- 

.-" 

1**.';  /-

, 

CI 34/07 (29/04/97) 

C12/06 (17/01/95) 

CI2/06 (17/01/95) 

Scaling-up and processing methodologies - Generic science and advanced technologies for nutricious foods 

CI 71/14 (15/06/96) 

Integrated production and processing chains - Agriculture, forestry  and rural development - Concertation activities 

C381/19 (15/12/96) 

Transmissible spongiform  encephalopathies 

Mobility and training fellowships  (open call) 

Technology stimulation actions for SMEs (open call) 

NON-NUCLEAR ENERGY #QU*JK*TTHERMIE} 
JOULE 

open call 

THERMIE type A: demonstration  projects 

THERMTE type B: accompanying measures (open call) 

THERMIE type B: measures for SMEs 

(1) Including the reserve list, where appropriate 

* V - . « - ;\ 

/:  >. 

''""-

C381/17 (17/12/96) 

C357/10(15/12/94) 

C357/19 (15/12/94) 

C271/13 (17/09/96) 

CI 8/05 (17/01/97) 

C357/11(15/12/94) 

C271/13 (17/09/96) 

C357/11 (15/12/94) 

C357/11 (15/12/94) 

39 

110 

98 

264 

631 

24 

272 

227 

250 

353 

2 

289 

403 

57 

213 

3 

55 

988 

39 

110 

95 

252 

627 

18 

272 

218 

241 

324 

2 

286 

401 

56 

125 

1 

36 

195 

13 

36 

42 

76 

143 

8 

99 

109 

107 

124 

1 

175 

266 

27 

27 

59 

33 

65 

20 

33 

33 

44 

30 

23 

44 

36 

50 

44 

38 

50 

61 

66 

48 

126 9 

90 

0.05 

1.4 

914 

13.0 

2.8 

56 

59.2 

103.3 

8.8 

8.5 

17.9 

97.0 

98.0 

0.4 

162.0 

27.3 

1.1 

RTD activities  in  1997 

Strategic research 

Hail transport 

Integrated transport chains 

Air transport 

Urban transport 

Water-borne transport 

Road transport 

Accompanying measures 

Table 4 (continued): Calls for proposals evaluated by the Commission in 1997 by specific programme under EC FP4 + Euratom  FP 

C381/10(17/12/96) 

^SCcMrtrifotton 

28 

14 

29 

32 

43 

70 

51 

17 

1298 

101 

1020 

82 

52 

314 

11 
1071 

166 

2192 
2124 

16 

24 

13 

24 

31 

41 

65 

51 

16 

301 

1248 

98 

790 

80 

52 

302 

10 
1067 

161 

2050 

1979 

16 

11 

7 

10 

11 

10 

29 

11 

2 

74 

304 

79 

236 

16 

52 

92 

10 

147 

68 

553 

511 

11 

50 

50 

26 

46 

54 

42 

35 

24 

45 

22 

13 

25 

24 

81 

30 

20 

100 

30 

100 

14 

42 

27 

26 

69 

52 

80 

4.3 

61 

80 

74 

15.8 

5.2 

2.5 

33.7 

690 

4.9 

117 

4.9 

23.7 

35.0 

20 

81  2 

38 

48.9 

446 

16 

30 

TARGETED SOCIOECONOMIC RESEARCH 

C306/10 (15/10/96) 

308 

COPERNICUS 

Training (Fellowships Japan/Korea) 

Developing countries 

T*DWK*DmTiOJ«AW€»^^ 
European networks and services (*) 

Network of innovation relay centres  (•*) 

Validation and technology transfer  projects 

TRAINING AND MOBttJTY OF RESEARCHERS 
Access to large-scale facilities (concerted actions) 
Research networks 
Accompanying measures (Euroconferences,  summer schools and practical training courses) 

Marie Curie training grants 

NUCLEARSAFETY 

, 

Cl 17/14 (15/04/97) 

C38/08  (15/02/95) 

Cl 17/13 (15/04/97) 

C337/24 (15/12/95) 

C12/08 (17/01/95) 

C271/09 (17/09/96) 

C271/10 (17/09/96) 

C271/17 (17/09/96) 

C381/16 (17/12/96) 

C271/12 (17/09/96) 

C84/07 (15/03/97) 

C12/03 (17/01/95) 

C38/10(15/02/95) 

Corrigendum 

Cl2/03 (17/01/95) 

C38/10 (15/02/95) 

Corrigendum 

(•)  The call for proposals had two closing dates. This information  concerns the last closing date. i.e. 13/9/96. 
(•*) The call was published in January  1995 for 2 years (réf. 95/C12 page 9 published on  17/1/95): this call concerns the extension for 2 years of the 52 centres selected  in 1995. 

(1)  Including the reserve list, where appropriate. 

80 

RTD activities  in 1997 

Table  5A:  Breakdown  of  the  Community  contribution  (in ECU  million)  and  number  of participations  by type of  organisation: 
Specific  programmes  under  EC  FP4 +  Euratom  FP 
Shared-cost actions (SCA) (1): new projects (contracts signed (2) in 1997) 

(1) On account of their nature, some special measures are attached to the shared-cost actions. 
(2) Contacts signed in  1997. whether or not amended by supplementary contracts signed in 1997  contracts signed in 1995 and 1996 which have been amended by supplementary contracts signed in  1997 are not included 

(3) LE: Large enterprises. 
(4) SME: enterprises which have fewer than 500 employees, not more than t third of whose capital is controlled by a large enterprise and with a turnover not exceeding ECU 38 million (ECU 50 million for information technologies) 
(5) REC: Research bodies (private/public/mixed), including the JRC. 
(6) EDU: Higher education institutes. 
(7) Other E1G, EEIG, non-pro6t-making bodies, etc. 
(8)  Int. Org.: International organizations. 
(9) Third countries: countries not belonging to the European Union. 

. 

81 

RTD activities in 1997 

Table 5B: Share (%) of the Community contribution and of the participations bv type of organisation: 
Specific programmes under EC FP4 + Euratom FP 
Shared-cost actions (SCA) (1): new projects (contracts signed (2) in  1997) 

European  Union 

Type  »f  organlsatUa 

LE(3) 

SME(4) 

REC(5) 

EDU(6) 

Other (7) 

Int. Org.  (8) 

Third countries (9) 

Total 

Namef  of specific  programmes 
(EC  FP4  +  Euratom  FP) 

Telematics  application! 

Communication  technologies 

Information  technologie» 

Industrial  and materials  technologies 

Standards,  measurements  and  testing 

Environment  and  climate 

Marine  science  and  technology 

Biotechnology 

Biomedicine  and  health 

Agriculture  and  fisheries 

Non-nuclear  energy 

Transport 

Targeted  îocio-economic  research 

International  cooperation 

Dissemination and  utilization  of the  results 

Training  and  mobility of  researchers 

Nuclear  fission  safety 

Controlled  thermonuclear  fusion 

TOTAL  RESEARCH 

Comm. 
contrlb. 

Participations 

Comm. 
contrlb. 

Participations 

Coram, 
contrlb. 

Participations 

Comm. 
contrlb. 

Participations 

Comm. 
contrlb. 

Participations 

Comm. 
contrlb. 

Participations 

Coram, 
contrlb. 

Participations 

Coram, 
contrlb. 

Participations 

1364 

n/a 

47.12 

31.98 

14.57 

1.58 

3  19 

431 

2.73 

4.21 

35.14 

21  19 

0 00 

0 73 

8.79 

232 

13  13 

1  98 

2081 

11.06 

2555 

n/a 

37.33 

21.76 

13.04 

1.57 

3 11 

6 94 

3.44 

5.91 

20.33 

20.29 

0 00 

1  29 

6.77 

2.02 

1333 

265 

13.47 

n/a 

19.44 

2199 

24.80 

7.31 

1484 

866 

8  10 

9.78 

29  19 

3030 

1.43 

206 

31.67 

1.50 

29.29 

246 

15  96 

23.69 

n/a 

24.10 

40.77 

29.60 

8  18 

2023 

19.61 

15.99 

31.78 

37.70 

2888 

1  58 

292 

46.28 

1  48 

23.33 

2.65 

24.24 

9.72 

n/a 

1351 

1838 

35.80 

4079 

2885 

32.34 

25.55 

35.59 

11.31 

1855 

2267 

16.00 

961 

2555 

48  48 

32  58 

21.37 

8  04 

n/a 

11.53 

15.53 

35.72 

39.03 

28.79 

27.45 

23.92 

26.36 

1462 

13.72 

20.59 

15.21 

11.74 

2468 

53.33 

63  58 

19.57 

23.82 

n/a 

13.49 

23.96 

2201 

4448 

48.73 

49  60 

5560 

46.51 

11.72 

1781 

6632 

27.72 

11.31 

67.09 

9 09 

0.28 

29  00 

22.35 

22.30 

27.26 

n/a 

14.15 

17.24 

14.47 

3935 

38.52 

37.86 

47.53 

30.43 

12.74 

16.35 

63.57 

23.93 

13.77 

6685 

1000 

5.96 

26.69 

n/a 

4.10 

2 09 

2  19 

0.92 

0.55 

1  13 

4 94 

2.19 

9.21 

8 40 

4  43 

0 87 

36.40 

0.16 

0.00 

6.32 

4 39 

n/a 

7.33 

1.75 

3 26 

1  89 

1  95 

181 

4  19 

1.84 

8 90 

10 86 

7 69 

1  34 

17.16 

0.20 

0.00 

1.03 

n/a 

0 09 

0.04 

0.28 

0.46 

0.00 

2.39 

0.91 

0.14 

0.00 

0.51 

0 38 

0.21 

0.46 

1.62 

0.00 

20.53 

55.86 

5.16 

3.31 

1.56 

n/a 

0.07 

.  0.02 

0  13 

0  84 

0.00 

1.36 

0.60 

0.10 

0.00 

0  84 

0 23 

0.30 

1.13 

1.61 

0.00 

1.32 

0.47 

3.94 

n/a 

2.24 

1.56 

0 35 

4.46 

3 83 

1.57 

2.17 

1  59 

. 

3.42 

3.26 

4.78 

52.42 

1.75 

1.77 

0.00 

0.52 

5.18 

6 03 

n/a 

5.50 

2.93 

3.78 

9.13 

7.39 

4 98 

4.33 

3 59 

5.72 

9.07 

6 33 

5500 

3.16 

3  16 

0.00 

3 31 

100.00 

n/a 

100.00 

100 00 

100.00 

100.00 

100 00 

100 00 

100 00 

100.00 

100.00 

100 00 

100 00 

100 00 

100.00 

10000 

100.00 

100.00 

10.38 

100 00 

100 

n/a 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

( 1 ) On account  of their nature,  some  special  measures  are attached to the shared-cost  actions. 
(2)  Contracts signed  in  1997,  whether or not amended  by supplementary contracts  signed in  1997: contracts  signed  in  1995  and  1996  which have been  amended  by supplementary contracts  signed in  1997 are not included 

(3)  LE: Large enterprises 
(4)  SME  enterprises  which have  fewer  than  500 employees,  not more than a third of whose  capital is controlled  by a large enterprise  and with  a turnover not exceeding  ECU 38 million (ECU  50 million  for information technologies). 
(5)  REC: Research  bodies  (private/public/mixed),  including the JRC. 
(6)  EDU  Higher education institutes. 
(7)  Other. E1G, EEIG, non-profit-making  bodies, etc. 
(8)  Int.  Org :  International  organizations. 
19) Third countries: countries not belonging to the  European Union. 

8? 

RTD activities  in  1997 

Table  6:  Access  to  European  research  for  Objective  1  regions: 
Specific  programmes  under  EC  FP4  +  Euratom  FP 
Shared-cost actions (SCA) (1); New Projects (contracts signed (2) in 1997) 

Names  of specific  programmes 
(EC  FP4 +  Euratom  FP) 

Number  of  projects  (3) 

Number  of  participations  (4) 

Total  Community  contribution  to  the 
projects  (ECU  million)  (5) 

Total 

Objectiye  1 

Total 

Objectiye  1 

Total 

Objectiye  1 

Telematics  applications 
Communication  technologies 
Information  technologies 
Industrial  and  materials  technologies 
Standards, measurements  and  testing 
Environment  and  climate 
Marine  science  and  technology 
Biotechnology 
Biomedicine  and  health 
Agriculture  and  fisheries  (DG  VI and  XII) 
Non-nuclear  energy 
Transport 
Targeted  socio-economic  research 
International  cooperation 
Dissemination  and  utilization  of the  results 
Training  and  mobility  of  researchers 
Nuclear  fission  safety 
Controlled  thermonuclear  fusion 

TOTAL  DISTRIBUTED 

TOTAL  RESEARCH 

(165) 

73 
1 
262 
801 
136 
165 
43 
128 
128 
214 
329 
85 
65 
351 
107 
1047 
3 
134 

4.022 

4.072 

35 
n/a 
115 
319 
48 
75 
27 
57 
40 
(56) 
121 
51 
46 
88 
49 
170 
1 
4 

1302 

(824) 

895 
7 
1527 
4339 
767 
953 
257 
663 
669 
1032 
1382 
838 
442 
2018 
443 
1487 
30 
151 

17.685 

17.900 

122 
n/a 
178 
588 
70 
113 
53 
66 
46 
(83) 
175 
96 
75 
284 
79 
203 
1 
6 

2238 

(101,79) 

79,31 
0,46 
355,39 
482,11 
39,67 
116,12 
47,03 
117,14 
79,14 
124,84 
238,35 
60,67 
37,06 
128,23 
19,45 
168,73 
0,99 
1  14,42 

2185,60 

2.209,11 

41,01 
n/a 
182,68 
283,21 
20,04 
55,84 
33,88 
61,43 
28,88 
(44,71) 
90,87 
36,75 
27,39 
33,96 
7,50 
77,54 
0,20 
0,13 

1026,02 

(l)On  account  of their  nature,  some  special  measures  are attached  to  the shared-cost  actions. 
(2) Contracts  signed  in  1997, whether  or not  amended  by supplementary  contracts  signed  in  1997: contracts  signed  in  1995  and  1996 which  have  been  amended  by supplementary  contracts  signed  in  1997  are  not  included. 
(3) Total  number  of projects,  and  number  of projects  with  at  least  one  participant  based  in  an  "Objective  1" region. 
(4) Total  number of participations,  and  number  of participations  by participants  based  in  "Objective  1" regions. 

(5) Total  Community  contribution  to  all  projects,  and  to  projects  with  at  least  one  participant  in  an  "Objective  1" region. 

83 

RTD  Activities  in  1997 

Table 7: Intra-countrv and  inter-countrv collaboration  links (3), excluding international  organisations (4): 
Specific  programmes  under EC FP4 + Euratom  FP 
Shared-cost actions (SCA) (1); New projects (contracts signed in 1997 (2)) 

Belgium 

Denmark 

Germany 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Ireland 

Italy 

Luxemb. 

Netherlands 

Austria 

Portugal 

Finland 

Sweden 

Liechtena 

Iceland 

Norway 

Israel 

Switzerland 

Rest  of  (he 
world 

TOTAL 

Melgnim 

Denmark 

i  iennany 

Greece 

Spain 

Trance 

Ireland 

Italy 

Luxembourg 

Netherlands 

Austna 

Portugal 

Finland 

Sweden 

United  Kingdom 

313 

150 

"6-1 

ri 

330 

839 

96 

-139 

35 

•183 

123 

141 

184 

269 

871 

150 

186 

51 -

116 

219 

366 

"1 

307 

14 

272 

106 

85 

155 

252 

616 

"64 

517 

1  8 3-

520 

1.087 

2.504 

241 

1.769 

49 

1.3-6 

506 

349 

5-4 

938 

2 9 58 

171 

116 

520 

220 

324 

489 

61 

508 

15 

240 

96 

165 

140 

139 

676 

330 

219 

839 

366 

1  OR-

2.504 

324 

-01 

9 87 

130 

189 

987 

1  543 

224 

1.105 

1  644 

13 

446 

143 

437 

214 

480 

39 

998 

219 

351 

307 

6"0 

1.479 

2.603 

96 

71 

241 

61 

130 

224 

45 

168 

4 

120 

54 

62 

47 

114 

430 

439 

307 

1 " 69 

508 

1.105 

1  644 

168 

927 

24 

643 

238 

336 

274 

517 

1 - 66 

35 

14 

49 

15 

13 

39 

4 

24 

4 

9 

14 

9 

7 

1" 

34 

481 

2~2 

1  Vf 

240 

446 

998 

120 

643 

9 

606 

183 

l~6 

276 

414 

1  448 

123 

106 

506 

96 

143 

219 

54 

238 

14 

183 

1 3' 

'O 

90 

128 

311 

141 

85 

349 

165 

437 

351 

62 

336 

9 

176 

"0 

211 

105 

124 

535 

184 

155 

5-4 

140 

214 

307 

47 

2 ".I 
-
2"ti 

90 

105 

244 

281 

581 

United 
Kingdom 

TOTAL 
EUR  IS 

871 

616 

5.208 

3.432 

2  958 

15.989 

676 

1.479 

3.880 

8.095 

2 * 03 

1 3 . 7 83 

430 

1.867 

1  766 

10.665 

34 

2 87 

1  448 

7.690 

311 

535 

581 

1.155 

2.418 

3.156 

3.479 

5.902 

269 

252 

938 

139 

480 

6"0 

114 

M" 

P 

414 

128 

121 

281 

404 

1.155 

2.132 

17.595 

5 

3 

5 

2 

3 

3 

0 

5 

0 

1 

2 

1 

1 

3 

5 

10 

15 

26 
13 

20 

1" 

8 

10 

1 

28 

10 

16 

II 

31 

34 

105 

177 

418 

122 

149 

775 

66 

173 

23 

212 

45 

79 

145 

216 

583 

25 

15 

86 

18 

26 

83 

10 

52 

0 

38 

6 

10 

3 

14 

67 

66 

54 

332 

49 

75 

237 

22 

150 

8 

120 

62 

42 

43 

81 

266 

269 

113 

652 

226 

206 

615 

67 

427 

7 

295 

98 

131 

164 

175 

786 

Total  F.IK  15 

5.208 

3.432 

15.989 

3 . 8 80 

8.095 

13.783 

1.867 

10.665 

2 87 

7.690 

2.418 

J. 156 

3.479 

5.902 

17.595 

5 6 . 4 78 

39 

250 

2.788 

4 53 

1.607 

4.231 

5.688 

3 . 8 09 

17.508 

4.310 

8.574 

15.013 

2.040 

11.482 

J 26 

8.384 

2.641 

J . 4 35 

J.846 

6.422 

19.336 

41 

296 

3.088 

519 

1.709 

0 

16 

23 

0 

4 

3 

1 

23 

193 

4 

23 

56 

0 

0 

4 

22 

9 

31 

0 

4 

23 

9 

33 

33 

1 

3 

56 

31 

33 

3.015 

7 J 70 

296 

3.088 

5 ,9 

1.709 

7 . 3 70 

6 5 . 8 46 

Liechtenstein 

Iceland 

Norway 

Israel 

Switzerland 

Rest  of the  world 

5 

10 

105 

25 

66 

269 

3 

15 

177 

15 

54 

113 

5 

26 

418 

80 

332 

652 

2 

13 

122 

18 

49 

226 

3 

20 

149 

26 

75 

206 

3 

17 

2 75 

83 

237 

615 

0 

8 

66 

10 

22 

67 

5 

10 

1"3 

52 

150 

427 

0 

1 

23 

0 

8 

7 

1 

28 

212 

38 

120 

295 

2 

10 

45 

6 

62 

98 

1 

16 

79 

10 

42 

131 

1 

II 

145 

3 

43 

164 

3 

31 

216 

14 

81 

175 

5 

34 

583 

67 

266 

786 

39 

250 

2.788 

4 53 

1.607 

4.231 

C R A N DT O T AL 

5.688 

3.809 

17.508 

4.J10 

8.574 

15.013 

2.040 

11.482 

3 26 

8.J84 

2.641 

3.435 

J.846 

6.422 

19.336 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

« 

. 11  (lii ictout* of their nature, some special measures are attached to the shared-cost  actions 
1: 1 Contract! signed  in  199? not  amended by supplementary conlracti signed in  1997: contracts  signed in  1995 and  1996 which have been amended by supplementary contracts signed in  199" are not  included 

11 A collaboration  lirak between  :  participant! from  the same country is counted  once only  A collaboration  link between  2 different  countries  is counted twice, once for  each country. 

Coinllng  each  Intra  EU Snk once only gives  a total  of  5* i"S Bnks for the whole of the  European  Union  (the bolts  between the thick  ane and the  EUR  IS lane). 
Cowling  each Intra  EEA Ink  once only gives a total  or 59 "88 links for the whole or the  European  Economic Area  (the botes  below the thick fete for members  of the  EEA). 
t'ouifing  each tntra  Ft! and  extra. TU  Ink  once only g Kes  a total or 65 846 inks  b i ll  countries  (»B boles below the thick  fete), 

i 11  Tli« JKt'uf  (?>. tables  SA and  .Mil is included under the address of thecerrtrc carrying out  Ihe research, as the host  Member Slate benefits  indirectly  from  hosting the JRC  caifrc. 
Miiitha  421  IOIIIIMMXIOTI I,,*,  with internal ioml  organisations (Kll oilier thai the JRC (links between two Ids or between  an l(> and a country) are not  included  in this table 

84 

RTD activities in 1998 

Table 8 : 1998 timetable for calls for proposals and the selection  procedure;  Budget 
Specific  programmes  under EC FP4 + Euratom FP 

UL4t  #4?'*4y  WiFK^fefW*?-^- 

Ufa 

Dd^ftnes/datesforj 

^Toblî998 Budget 
{BCUmfltfon)  I 

Telematics applications  j.1fe>% ^~>?r-.^a 
Communication technologies (ACIS)-v*y**>t:. 
Infomatkm techiwlog^ 
Call in 1  stage in the following fields: technologies for components and subsystems (TCS), high 
performance computing and networking (HPCN), integration in manufacturing (IiM) 

.^--ft*»!^^ 

Industrial and materials technologies(Brit^uRam) 

Thematic networks (9th series, exploratory stage and implementation  stage) 

Technology stimulation action's for SME (10th series, cooperative research) 

Technology stimulation actions for SME (11th series, cooperative research) 

Accompanying measures 
Standards, measurements and testing 
Call for research related to written standards and technical support to trade; measurements 
related to the needs of society 

6th targeted call (CEN, ETSI, CENELEC) for support for Union policies 

Open call for thematic network projects 

Accompanying, preparatory and support measures 

Technology stimulation actions for SME (cooperative research) 

17/3/98 
C 82 

15/12/94 
C357 

15/12/94 
C 3 57 

15/12/94 
C 3 57 

15/12/94 
C 3 57 

17/06/1997 
C183 

17/06/1997 
C 1 83 

15/12/94 
C 3 57 

15/06/95 
C 1 48 

15/12/94 
C 3 57 

30-Jun-98 

Juty-September 

September-October 

September 

32.4 

31-Dec-97 

February 

April 

31-Dec-97 

January 

February 

June 

April 

30-Apr-98 

May 

June 

September 

20-May-98 

In 1998 

In 1998 

In 1998 

27-Nov-97 

January-February 

May-June 

27-NOV-97 

January-February 

May-June 

17-Dec-97 

January-February 

May-June 

23-Jan-98 

January-February 

May-June 

July 

July 

July 

July 

30-Jul-98 

September 

October-November 

November 

11-Dec-97 

January 

April-May 

June 

08-Apr-98 

May 

September-October 

October 

12.0 

320 

700 

300 

13.5 

50 

30 

1.7 

7.3 

RTD activities in 1998 

Table  8 (continued)  :  1998 timetable  for  calls for  proposals  and  the selection  procedure:  Budget 
Specific  programmes  under  EC  FP4 + Euratom  FP 

D*<*» and 0J reference* 
«fddb lor jpjroj>o»«l« (ot 

; D^adtlii^dates  for-, 
: 
•'iipcttol'^pro^ 

Vkyaiuation^ 

Anticipated date of 

total 1998 Budget 

l?u«3£»^BssntsaKj93KW3sV 

^fe'^i^tracte ^-Jl 
7wls^s^^^>J i^Jb^' !H".SA  %v #" 

ENRICH  ( E u r o p e an  N e t w o rk  for  Research  in  Global  C h a n g e)  in  the  fields  of  the  environment, 

climate,  a nd  marine  science  a nd  technology 

W a t er  use  and  water  m a n a g e m e nt  in  the  fields  of  the  industrial  and  materials  technologies 

programme  and  the  environment  and  climate  p r o g r a m me 

Advanced  study  courses 

Training  g r a n ts 

Technology  stimulation  actions  for  S ME  (cooperative  research) 

Marine  s c i e n ce  and  technology  ( M A S T) 

Supporting  initiatives 

Training  grants 

Biotechnology. 

Cell  factories;  g e n o me  analysis;  plant  biotechnology,  cell  communication  in  neurosciences; 

immunology  and  trans-disease  vaccinology,  structural  biology;  prc-normative  research, 

biodiversity  and  social  acceptance;  infrastructures;  E L SA 

Joint  call  for  transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies 

Biontedicine  and  h e a l th  ( B I O M E D) 

Joint  call  for  transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies 

Technology  stimulation  actions  for  S ME  (cooperative  research  projects) 

Marie  Curie  research  fellowships 

Technology  stimulation  actions  for  S ME  (cooperative  research  projects) 

16/9/97 
C 2 80 

31/10/97 
C 3 29 

31/10/97 
C381 

15/12/95 
C 3 37 

31/10/97 
C 2 71 

17/06/97 
C 1 83 
17/12/96 
C 3 81 

17/06/1997 
C 1 83 

29/04/1997 
C 1 34 

29/04/1997 
C 1 34 

17/01/95 
C 12 

17/01/95 
C 12 

29/04/1997 
C 1 34 

86 

16-Dec-97 

February-June 

July-September 

July 

02-Feb-98 

March-June 

July-October 

September 

16-Mar-98 

20/03/98 
August  98 

01-Apr-98 

March-July 

August-November 

December 

April-September 

June-November 

June-November 

February 

June 

July 

12-Jun-98 

June-July 

September-  October 

December 

20-Aug-98 

September 

October-November. 

December 

1.8 

1 00 

0.8 

38 

26 

09 

02 

15-Oct-97 

November-March 

May-September 

July 

1 3 79 

30-Jul-97 

July-February 

March 

April 

15-Jul-97 

July 

March-April 

May-June 

January 

January 

May-June 

September 

31-Dec-97 

April 

May 

May 

June-July 

October 

September 

November-December 

66 

1 20 

2.1 

5.5 

RTD activities in 1998 

Table 8 (continued)  : 1998 timetable for calls for proposals and the selection  procedure;  Budget 
Specific  programmes  under EC FP4 + Euratom  FP 

Agriculture  and  F i s h e r i e s( F A I I Q ; ^ : ^ ^ ^ : V ^ & v ^ ? i e ; : n^ - f W §r 
Generic science and  advanced  technologies  for  nutritious  foods,  agriculture,  forestry  and  rural 
development,  fisheries  and  fish-farming 

' ï - ï ï W ' < " ' r^  ••'•:'•*:^  • ?* 

Technology  stimulation  actions  for  SME  (exploratory  awards); open  call  for  cooperative 
research 

Call  for transmissible  spongiform  encephalopathies 

Marie  Curie  research  fellowships 

Non-nuclear energy  (JOULE-THERMIE) 
JOULE: technology  stimulation  actions  for  SME (exploratory  awards  restricted  to  cooperative 

research  projects) 

JOULE: training  grants 

THERMIE: preparatory,  accompanying  and  support  measures  (development  and 
implementation  of specific  energy  RTD  strategies; dissemination  of energy  technologies; 
concerted  actions  and  concerted  networks; measures  for  SME) 

THERMIE:  Demonstration  projects  in the  fields  of the  rational  use of energy,  renewable 
sources of energy,  and  fossil  fuels 

Transport 
Air transport,  road  transport,  measures  to consolidate the  results of transport  research  under 
the 4th  FP, measures/studies  targeted  on  policy  issues, tasks  preparing  for  future  activities in 
the field of transport  research 

Intermodal  transport:  demonstration  projects  in the field of freight  and  passenger  transport 

>  v  „i  </  |r;\.'« 

Anticipated dète of *&&§/' 

f^I^'Budget 
ÎCUBuTïion) 

16-Jan-98 

March-June 

June-November 

September 

160.0 

15-Dec-97 

January-March 

April-July 

June 

08-Apr-98 

May-June 

17-Jun-98 

June-September 

July-November 
September-
November 

October 

November 

15-Dec-97 

February-April 

May-June 

June 

7.0 

10.0 

27 

2.5 

08-Apr-98 

01-Jul-98 

May 

Jury 

September 

December 

October 

January 

08 

17-Dec-97 

January-February 

M ay-June 

September 

140 

30-Jan-98 

February-March 

May-June 

September 

960 

16-Mar-98 

April 

July-December 

September 

16-Mar-98 

April 

July-December 

September 

1 20 

1 20 

—,oiintfèr«wf)J 

15/10/97 
C313 

15/12/94 
C357 

17/03/1998 
C134 

15/12/94 
C357 

15/12/94 
C357 

15/6/96 
C171 

15/12/94 
C357 

16/9/97 
C280 

16/12/97 
C381 

16/12/97 
C381 

R7 

RTD activities in 1998 

Table  8 (continued)  :  1998  timetable  for  calls  for  proposals  and  the  selection  procedure;  Budget 

Specific  programmes  under  EC  FP4  +  Euratom  FP 

/<¥-••?": 
Targeted aocio^ècwio^ 
Science and technology policy options, research on education and training, research on 
integration and social exclusion (certain sub-areas only) 
International cooperation (INCO) 
" *-
INCO-COPERNÏCUS: cooperation  with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the 
newly independent States (DGs III, XII, XIII, XVII) 

\  -, ,  ir 

,.+ J ~. 

"'•*-' 

_  : 

! 

' 

Dissemination and optimisation of the results (INNOVATION) 
Validation and technology transfer  projects 

European networks and services 

Regional measures 

Training and mobility of researchers 
Access to large-scale facilities 

Accompanying measures (Euroconferences,  summer schools, training courses) 

Accompanying measures (Euroconferences,  summer schools, training courses) 

Training through research 

Nuckar fission safety 
Concerted actions 

WkM 

*t«» fori 

mm 

T>p! 3998 Budget 

41 m$*? 

16/9/97 
C280 

15-Jan-98 

January-May' 

June-September 

September 

300 

7.3 

180 

55 

11.5 

400 

48 

48 

540 

30 

15/04/97 

10-Oct-97 

November 

March 

June 

06-Oct-97 

January 

February-March 

15-Dec-97 

January-March 

April-M ay 

15-Dec-97 

January 

April-May 

April 

May 

May 

16-Jun-97 

Jury-August 97 

January-March 

March 

30-Sep-97 

October-March 

March 

31-Mar-98 

April-September 

September 

15-Dec-97 

February-M arch 

June 

01-Nov-97 

December-March 
98 

April-June 98 

Jul-98 

17/6/97 
C183 

16/9/97 
C 2 80 

16/9/97 
C280 

15/03/1997 
C 84 

17/6/97 
C183 

16/12/97 
C381 

16/9/97 
C280 

17/1/95 
C12 

88 

Table 9: Funding of the Fourth EC Framework Programme and 
of  the Euratom Framework Programme (ECU million) 
(including  decisions on enlargement  and additional  funding) 

Fourth Framework  Programme 

* 

Decisions  1110/94/EC,616/96/EC 
2535/97/EC 

Indirect actions 

JRC 

Support for DGs 

Euratom  Framework 
Programme 
Decisions 94/268, 
96/253/Euratom 

Indirect 
actions 

JRC 

TOTAL 

9425 

639 

96 

11.5 

10.5 

FIRST ACTIVITY 
Research, technological development 
and demonstration activities 

Information  and  communication 
technologies 
1. Telematics applications 
2. Communications technologies 
3. Information  technologies 

Industrial  technologies 

4. Industrial and materials technologies 

5. Measurement and testing 

Environment 

6. Environment and climate 
7. Marine science and technology 

3 646 
913 
671 
2 062 

1921 

1737 
184 

816.5 

573.5 
243 

11.5 

208.5 

96 
112.5 

313 

313 

Life sciences and  technologies 

1627.5 

50 

50 

21 

21 

35 

8. Biotechnology 
9. Biomedicine and health 
10. Agriculture and  fisheries 

Energy 

11. Non-nuclear energy 
12. Nuclear fission safety 
13. Controlled thermonuclear  fusion 

14. Transport 

15. Targeted socio-economic research 

SECOND ACTIVITY 
Cooperation with third countries and 
international organisations 

THIRD ACTIVITY 
Dissemination and utilisation of results 

FOURTH ACTIVITY 
Stimulation of the training and mobility 
of researchers 

595.5 
374 
658 

1039 

1039 

263 

112 

575 

312 

792 

10.5 

10.5 

10.5 

27.5 

27.5 

31.5 

31.5 

16 

16 

40 

3668 

2140 

1157 

1709 

913 
671 
2084 

1833 
307 

914 
243 

595.5 
374 
739.5 

1 016,5 

319.5 

2412 

170.5 
846 

270.5 
49 

1076 
441 
895 

263 

147 

575 

352 

792 

TOTAL 

11104 

MAXIMUM  OVERALL AMOUNT 

639 

11879 

136 

1 016,5 

319.5 

1336 

13215 

89 

Table 10: Development of Community research commitments 
Period 1984 - 1998 
(ECU million, current prices) 

YEARS 
1984-87 FP 

1987-91 FP 

1990-94 FP 

90-94 FP additional  funding 

1994-98 FP(») 

1984 
593.0 

1985 
735.0 

1986 
874.0 

1987 
701.8 

188.1 

1988 
260.8 

810.6 

1989 
101.1 

1241.3 

1990 
4.9 

1596.9 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998 (2) 

TOTAL 

Situation at 01.05.98 

1270.7 

230.9 

14.8 

3.9 

296.0 

2160.5 

1929.5 

'  1264.7 

0.2 

1.0 

* 

150.0 

750.0 

RTD PROGRAMMES 

593.0 

735.0 

874.0 

APAS 

RTD+APAS 

SPRINT 

ECSC 

80% of THERMIE 

593.0 

735.0 

874.0 

889.9 

49.4 

939.3 

1071.4 

56.6 

1342.4 

1601.8 

1566.7 

2391.4 

69.8 

113.1 

168.8 

308.4 

2094.3 

440.2 

0.0 

3017.5 

3201.5 

2018.6 

3018.7 

3201.5 

3485.4 

3485.4 

3491.0 

3491.0 

571.8 

2.1 

1128.0 

1412.2 

1714.9 

1735.5 

2699.8 

2534.5 

2590.4 

3020.8 

3201.5 

3485.4 

3491.0 

16.0 

17.5 

36.0 

16.0 

17.5 

118.4 

1887.4 

17.0 

17.5 

128.9 

2863.2 

17.5 

139.2 

17.5 

145.6 

2691.2 

2753.5 

3020.8 

3201.5 

3485.4 

3491.0 

30859.9 

Total for ail research ( 1 ) 

593.0 

735.0 

874.0 

939.3 

1128.0 

1412.2 

1784.4 

4269.3 

i.e. 

2.42%  of the budget 

3270.6 

5357.4 

5651.7 

900.0 

13195.4 

28375.1 

1780.2 

30155.3 

49.0 

87.5 

568.1 

7151 

i.e. 

3.18% 

of the budget 

1 

11980 

i.e. 

4.05% 

of the budget 

| 

15952 

i.e. 

3.98%  of the budget 

EC budget (current prices) 

28905 

29925 

35842 

38392 

Total research as % of budget 

2.1 

2.5 

2.4 

2.4 

43080 

42569 

45057 

56111 

61232 

2.6 

3.3 

4.0 

3.4 

4.7 

67760 

65929 

75355 

82125 

4.0 

4.2 

4.0 

3.9 

87651 

4.0 

89503 

3.9 

(*) The amounts of the  1994-1998 FP are those adopted following EU enlargement. 
(1) RTD + THERMIE + ECSC + SPRINT + APAS. 
(2) Budget for 1998. 

90 

1984-87 FP 

1987-91 FP 

1990-94 FP 

90-94  FP additional  funding 

1994-98  FP(») 

APAS 

RTD+APAS 

SPRINT 

ECSC 

8 0%  of  THERMIE 

Table  11: Development of Community research commitments 

Period 1984 - 1998 
(ECU million -  1992 prices) 

Situational 01.05.98 

YEARS 

1984 

1985 

1986 

1987 

1988 

1989 

1990 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

1995 

1996 

1997 

1998(2) 

TOTAL 

848.4 

991.9 

1139.5 

886.1 

237.5 

317.7 

987.3 

117.1 

5.4 

1438.4 

1770.4 

1339.0 

230.9 

14.6 

3.8 

311.9 

2160.5 

1901.0 

1224.3 

147.8 

726.0 

0.2 

1.0 

v 

4306.1 

6022.1 

5598.7 

873.8 

RTD  PROGRAMMES 

848.4 

991.9 

1139.5 

1123.6 

1305.0 

1555.5 

62.4 

68.9 

80.9 

1775.8 

125.4 

1650.9 

2391.4 

177.9 

308.4 

848.4 

991.9 

1139.5 

1186.0 

1373.9 

1636.4 

1901.2 

1828.8 

2699.8 

0.0 

2887.6 

2969.9 

3148.5 

3092.1 

12098.1 

2063.4 

433.7 

2497.1 

1954.1 

553.5 

2888.8 

2969.9 

3148.5 

3092.1 

28898.8 

2.0 

1813.1 

2507.6 

2890.8 

2969.9 

3148.5 

3092.1 

30711.9 

17.7 

19.4 

39.9 

16.9 

18.4 

17.0 

17.5 

124.8 

128.9 

17.2 

137.1 

16.9 

140.9 

51.6 

89.4 

571.6 

Total  for all research (1) 

848.4 

991.9 

1139.5 

1186.0 

1373.9 

1636.4 

1978.2 

1988.9 

2863.2 

2651.4 

2665.4 

2890.8 

2969.9 

3148.5 

3092.1 

31424.5 

i 

• 

5539.7 

i.e. 

2.41%  of the budget 

1 

8163 

i.e. 

3 . 1 5%  ofthe  budget 

12147 

i.e. 

4 . 0 4% 

ofthe budget 

14767 

i.e. 

3.98%  ofthe  budged 

EC  budget  (1992  prices) 

41352 

40385 

46730 

48475 

52473 

49327 

49952 

59126 

61232 

66759 

63823 

72110 

76183 

79179 

79276 

Total  research as % of  budget 

Deflation  factors (**) 

Annual  inflation (%) 

2.1 

0.699 

2.5 

0.741 

6.0 

2.4 

2.4 

0.767 

0.792 

3.5 

3.3 

2.6 

0.821 

3.6 

3.3 

0.863 

5.1 

4.0 

0.902 

4.5 

3.4 

0.949 

5.2 

4.7 

1.000 

3.5 

4.0 

1.015 

1.5 

4.2 

1.033 

1.8 

4.0 

1.045 

1.2 

3.9 

1.078 

3.2 

4.0 

1.107 

2.7 

3.9 

1.129 

2.0 

(*)  The amounts ofthe  1994-1998 FP are those adopted following  EU enlargement. 

(**) The deflation  factors used from 1995 take account ofthe  enlargement ofthe  Union from to  15 Member States (COM(96)65). 

(1)  RTD + THERMIE  + ECSC + SPRINT + APAS. 

(2)  Budget for  1998. 

91 

1  "">-  : 

ANNEXIII 

I 

Main  reports  relating to Community  Research  Activities 

1. 

Main documents relevant to the current Community RTD activities issued by the European 
Commission: 

•  Five-Year Assessment Reports of: 

(i) 

The Fourth RTD Framework Programme/Euratom Framework Programme ( 1994-
1998), EUR  17644 ( 1997); and 

(ii)  Specific Programmes: 

Telematics Applications, EUR  17603 (1997) 
Advanced Communication  Technologies and Services, EUR  17602 (1997) 
Information Technologies (ESPRIT), EUR  17601 (1997) 
Industrial and Materials  Technologies, EUR  175 87 ( 1997) 
Measurements and Testing, EUR  17588 (1997) 
Environment and Climate, EUR  17589(1997) 
Marine Sciences and Technologies, EUR  17590 (1997) 
Biotechnology, EUR  17591 (1997) 
Biomedicine and Health, EUR  17592 (1997) 
Agriculture and Fisheries, including Agro-Industry,  Food Technologies, 
Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development, EUR  17593 (1997) 
Non-Nuclear Energy, EUR  17594 ( 1997) 
Transport, EUR  17595  (1997) 
Targeted Socio-Economic Research, EUR  17596 ( 1997) 
Cooperation with Third Countries and International Organisations, 
EUR  17597  (1997) 
Dissemination and Optimisation of Results (Innovation), EUR  17600 (1997) 
Stimulation of Training and Mobility of Researchers, EUR  17598 (1997) 
Nuclear Fission Safety, EUR  17599 ( 1997) 
Controlled  Thermonuclear Fusion, EUR  17521 (1996) 

(In addition, Annual Monitoring Reports have been produced for all the above-mentioned 
Programmes, for the years  1995,  1996 and 1997.) 

•  Joint Research Centre: 1997 Annual Report  (forthcoming) 
•  Evaluation ofthe  Joint Research Centre 1992-1996, Communication from the Commission, 

COM(97)  164 final. 

•  Commission's Responses to the Recommendations ofthe  Independent External Assessments  ofthe 

Last Five Years of Activities  in the Domains covered by the Specific Programmes and the JRC 
Institutes under the Fourth Framework Programme and Euratom Framework Programme, 
Communication from  the Commission, COM(97) 149 final. 

•  Second European Report  on S&T Indicators 1997, EUR  17639 (1997). 
•  Research and development  : annual statistics  1997 -  Eurostat, 9c -  CA-06-97-416-SAC 

2.  Most recent main annual budgetary documents of relevence to Community RTD activities. 

•  Preliminary Draft  General Budget for  the Financial Year 1998, Volume 4, COM(97) 280. 
•  General Budget for  the Financial Year 1998, L 44, Volume 41(16 Feb.  1998). 
•  Revenue and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet,  Relating to Operations under the 1997 

Budget, SEC(98)519. 

•  Vademecum Budgétaire, which provides a time series of research payments from the year 1958, 

SEC(97)  1200. 

92 

ACP 
ACTS 
AIDS 
APAS 
ATM 
BIOMED 
BRITE-EURAM 

BSE 
CAD 
CAM 
CAP 
CCFP 
CEECs 
CEN 
CENELEC 
CERN 
CIS 
CJD 
CNES 
COPERNICUS 
CORDIS 
COST 
CRAFT 
CREST 
DCs 
EAEC 
EBRD 
EC 
ECHO 
ECSC 
EEA 
EFTA 

I1  ESSI 

ESTA 
EMBL 
ES A 
ESF 
ESPRIT 

ETAN 
ETSI 

|  EU 
I EUREKA 
I EURATOM 
I EURET 
I FNR 

• 

|  FP 
I FUSE 
|  HCM 

. 

Main acronyms and abbreviations  used 

African,  Caribbean and Pacific  countries 
Advanced Communications Technologies  and Services 
Acquired Immuno-Deficiency  Syndrome 
Accompanying, Preparatory  And Support measures 
Asynchronous Transfer  Mode 
BIOMEDicine and health  (specific  RTD programme) 
Basic Research  in Industrial Technologies for Europe - European Research in 
Advanced Materials (specific RTD programme under FP3) 
Bovine Spongiform  Encephalopathies 
Computer Assisted Design 
Computer Assisted  Manufacturing 
Common Agricultural  Policy 
Consultative Committee for the Fusion Programme 
Central and Eastern European  countries 
European Committee for  Standardization 
European Committee for Electrotechnical  Standardization 
European Centre for  Nuclear Research 
Commonwealth of Independent States of the former  Soviet Union 
Creutzfeld  Jacob Disease 
Centre National des Etudes Spatiales (France) 
Cooperation in science and technology with Central and Eastern Europe 
Community Research and Development  Information  Service 
European Cooperation  in the field  of Scientific  and Technical  research 
Cooperative Research Action for Technology 
Scientific  and Technical Research  Committee (advises the Commission) 
Developing Countries 
European Atomic Energy Community 
European Bank for  Reconstruction  and Development 
European Community 
European Community Humanitarian  Office 
European Coal and Steel Community 
European Economic Area 
European Free Trade Association 
European Systems and Software  Initiative 
European Science and Technology  Assembly 
European Molecular Biology Laboratory 
European Space Agency 
European Science Foundation 
European Strategic Programme for  Research  and Development  in Information 
Technologies 
European Technology Assessment Network 
European Telecommunications  Standards Institute 
European Union 
Framework for European technological  cooperation 
European Atomic Energy Community 
European REsearch for Transport  (specific  RTD programme under FP2) 
Fast Neutron Reactor 

- 

——— 

• 

— 

Framework Programme 
First User Experiments 
Human Capital and Mobility (specific  RTD programme under FP3) 

93 

| 
J 
I 
I 
] 
I 
1 
j 

HPCN 
IiM 
IEA 
IMT 
IPTS 
IRDAC 
ISPO 
1ST 
ISTC 
IT 
ITEA 
ITER 
JET 
JOULE 

JRC 
LFR 
LWR 
MAST 
MEDA 

MERCOSUR 
NAFTA 
NIS 
OECD 
OJ 
PHARE 
R&D 
RPV 
RTD 
SAVE 
SCA 
SMEs 
SPD 
SPRINT 
STD/STD-3 
TACIS 

I TASK FORCE 

TCS 
THERMIE 
TMR 
TSER 
TSME 
UMTS 
WMO 
WTO 

High Performance  Computing and Networking 
Integration  in Manufacturing 
International  Energy Agency 
Industrial  and Materials Technologies 
Institute for Prospective Technological  Studies (JRC, Seville) 
Industrial  Research and Development  Advisory Committee 
Information  Society Project Office 
Information  Society Technologies 
International  Science and Technology Centre (Moscow) 
Information  Technologies 
Information  Technologies European Awards 
International  Thermonuclear Experimental  Reactor 
Joint European Torus 
Joint Opportunities for  Unconventional  or Long-term Energy supply  (specific 
RTD programme) 
Joint Research Centre 
Less Favoured Region 
Light Water Reactor 
MArine Science and Technology  (specific RTD programme) 
Measures accompanying the economic and social reforms  in the Mediterranean 
countries 
Southern Common Market (South America) 
North American Free Trade Agreement 
New Independent States of the former  Soviet Union 
Organization  for Economic Cooperation and Development 
Official  Journal 
Aid for  economic reconstruction  of the CEECs 
Research  and Development 
Reaction Pressure Vessel 
Research  and Technological  Development 
Special Action Programme for  Vigorous Energy Efficiency 
Shared-Cost Actions 
Small and Medium-sized  Enterprises 
Single Programming Document (Structural  Funds) 
Strategic PRogramme for INnovation and Technology Transfer 
Science and Technology for Development/STD under FP3 
Technical  assistance to the New Independent States of the former  Soviet Union 
Research-industry  coordination  structure in a field of RTD 
Technologies for Components and Subsystems 
Demonstration programme in the field of non-nuclear energy 
Training and Mobility of Researchers (specific  RTD programme) 
Targeted  Socio-Economic Research  (specific RTD programme) 
Technology Stimulation Measures for SMEs 
Universal  Mobile Telecommunication  Systems 
World  Meteorological  Office 
World Trade Organization 

1 

94 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(98) 439 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

15  02  16  17 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-CO-98-450-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-38078-4 

Office  for  Official  Publications  of the European  Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 
'c 

3i