Corrigendum to Council Decision 2006/973/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme People implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) ( OJ L 400, 30.12.2006 )
Date: 2007-02-22
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU programme, professional career, research programme, scientific research, technological change, vocational training

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Corrigendum to Council Decision 2006/973/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘People’
implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological
development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

(Official Journal of the European Union L 400 of 30 December 2006)

Decision 2006/973/EC should read as follows:

COUNCIL DECISION

of 19 December 2006

concerning the specific programme ‘People’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the
European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to
2013)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2006/973/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu-
nity, and in particular Article 166(4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
Social Committee (2),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

In accordance with Article 166(3) of the Treaty, Decision
No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh
Framework Programme of the European Community for
research,
technological development and demonstration
activities, (2007 to 2013) (hereinafter referred to as ‘the
Framework Programme’) (3) is to be implemented through
specific programmes that define detailed rules for their
implementation, fix their duration and provide for the
means deemed necessary.

The Framework Programme is structured into four types of
cooperation on policy-defined
activity:
trans-national
themes (Cooperation),
investigator-driven research based
on the initiative of the research community (Ideas), support
of training and career development of researchers (People),
and support of research capacities (Capacities). Activities
under
should be
implemented by this specific programme.

indirect actions

‘People’ as

regards

(3)

The rules for the participation of undertakings, research
the dissemination of
centres and universities and for

(1) Opinion delivered on 30 November 2006 (not yet published in the

Official Journal).

(2) OJ C 185, 8.8.2006, p. 10.
(3) OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

research results, for the framework programme (hereinafter
referred to as ‘the rules for participation and dissemination’)
should apply to this specific programme.

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

The Framework Programme should complement
the
activities carried out in the Member States as well as other
Community actions that are necessary for the overall
strategic effort
the Lisbon
objectives, alongside in particular those on structural funds,
training, culture, competitiveness
agriculture, education,
and innovation,
industry, health, consumer protection,
employment, energy, transport and environment.

the implementation of

for

Innovation and SME-related activities supported under this
Framework Programme should be complementary to those
undertaken under the Framework Programme for Competi-
tiveness and Innovation which will contribute to closing the
gap between research and innovation, and promote all
forms of innovation.

Implementation of the Framework Programme may give
rise to supplementary programmes involving the participa-
tion of certain Member States only, the participation of the
Community in programmes undertaken by several Member
States, or the setting up of joint undertakings or other
arrangements within the meaning of Articles 168, 169 and
171 of the Treaty.

The international dimension is a fundamental component
of human resources in research and development
in
Europe. As provided for under Article 170 of the Treaty,
this specific programme is open to the participation of
countries having concluded the necessary agreements to
this effect, and is also open on the project level, and on the

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basis of mutual benefit, to the participation of entities from
third countries and of
international organisations for
scientific cooperation. Moreover, all actions, as well as
dedicated actions in this specific programme are open to
participation of individual researchers from third countries.

(8) Research activities carried out within this programme
should respect fundamental ethical principles,
including
those which are reflected in the Charter of Fundamental
Rights of the European Union.

(13)

(9)

The implementation of the Framework Programme should
contribute towards promoting sustainable development.

(10) Sound financial management of

the Framework Pro-
gramme and its implementation should be ensured in the
most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while
ensuring legal certainty and the accessibility of
the
programme for all participants, in compliance with Council
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002
on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget
of the European Communities (1) and Commission Regula-
tion (EC, Euratom) 2342/2002 (2)
laying down detailed
rules for the implementation of that Financial Regulation
and any future amendments.

(11) Appropriate measures — proportionate to the European
Communities' financial
interests — should be taken to
monitor both the effectiveness of the financial support
granted and the effectiveness of the utilisation of these
funds in order to prevent irregularities and fraud and the
necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost,
wrongly paid or
incorrectly used in accordance with
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18
the European
December 1995 on the protection of
interests (3), Council Regulation
Communities'
(Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996
concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried
out by the Commission in order to protect the European
interests against fraud and other
Communities' financial
irregularities (4) and Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999
concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-
Fraud Office (OLAF) (5).

financial

(12) The measures necessary for the implementation of this
Decision are essentially management measures, and should
therefore be adopted by the management procedure
provided for in Article 4 of Council Decision 1999/468/
EC of 28 June 1999, laying down the procedures for the

(1) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1248/2006 (OJ L 227, 18.8.2006, p.
3).

(3) OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1.
(4) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
(5) OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1.

implementing powers

conferred on the
exercise of
Commission (6). On the other hand research involving the
use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells
raises specific ethical issues, as described in Article 4 of this
Decision. Therefore, measures for the financing of such
projects should be adopted by the regulatory procedure
provided for in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC.

this programme adequate
In the implementation of
attention needs to be paid to gender mainstreaming, as
well as to, inter alia, the working conditions, transparency of
recruitment processes, and career development as regards
the researchers recruited on projects and programmes
funded under the actions of this programme, for which the
Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the
European Charter for Researchers and on a Code of
Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (7) offers a
reference framework, while respecting its voluntary nature.

(14) This programme aims at creating a genuine European
labour market for researchers as a further development and
implementation of
the integrated strategy on human
resources in research and development in Europe on the
basis of the ‘Mobility Strategy for the ERA’ (8) and the
in the ERA: one profession, multiple
‘Researchers
careers’ (9), and takes into account the Council conclusions
on human resources in R & D of 18 April 2005.

(15) The ‘People’ programme aims to increase the human R & D
potential in Europe in terms of both quality and quantity,
including by recognising the 'profession' of researcher with
a view to maintaining the excellence in basic research and
the organic development of technological research, and
encouraging European researchers' mobility from, to and
throughout Europe. Moreover, it should help to provide the
right conditions in order
foreign
researchers to carry out research in Europe,

to attract

the best

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The specific programme ‘People’ for Community activities in the
area of
including
research and technological development,
demonstration activities, hereinafter the ‘specific programme’,
is hereby adopted for the period from 1 January 2007 to
31 December 2013.

(6) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/

512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

(7) OJ L 75, 22.3.2005, p. 67.
(8) Communication from the Commission ‘A Mobility Strategy for the
European Research Area’ — COM(2001) 331, 20.6.2001 and
Council Resolution 2001/C367/01.

(9) Communication from the Commission ‘Researchers in the European
Research Area: one profession, multiple careers’ — COM(2003) 436,
18.7.2003 — and Council Resolution 2003/C282/01.

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Article 2

The specific programme shall support the activities for ‘People’,
stimulating people to enter into the profession of researcher,
strengthening, quantitatively and qualitatively,
the human
in research and technology in Europe including as
potential
regards the potential of women. The activities supporting
training and career development of researchers, referred to as
‘Marie Curie Actions’, shall focus on the key aspects of skills and
career development and strengthened links with national
systems.

4. The fields of research set out above shall be reviewed for the
second phase of this programme (2010 to 2013) in the light of
scientific advances.

Article 5

1. The specific programme shall be implemented by means of
the funding schemes established in Annex III to the Framework
Programme.

The objectives and the broad lines of those activities are set out
in Annex.

2. The rules for participation and dissemination shall apply to
this specific programme.

Article 3

Article 6

The amount deemed necessary for the execution of the specific
programme shall be EUR 4 750 million, of which less than 6 %
shall be for the Commission's administrative expenditure.

Article 4

1. The Commission shall draw up a work programme for the
implementation of the specific programme, setting out in greater
detail the objectives and activities set out in Annex, the funding
scheme to be used for the actions on which proposals are invited,
and the timetable for implementation.

research activities carried out under

1. All
the specific
programme shall be carried out in compliance with fundamental
ethical principles.

2. The following fields of research shall not be financed under
this programme:

take account of

2. The work programme shall
relevant
research, research training and career development activities
carried out by the Member States, associated countries and
European and international organisations, and the achievement
of European added value as well as the impact on industrial
competitiveness and the relevance for other Community policies.
It shall be updated where appropriate.

— research activity aiming at human cloning for reproductive

purposes,

— research activity intended to modify the genetic heritage of
human beings which could make such changes heritable (1),

— research activities intended to create human embryos solely
for the purpose of research or for the purpose of stem cell
procurement, including by means of somatic cell nuclear
transfer.

3. Research on human stem cells, both adult and embryonic,
may be financed, depending both on the contents of
the
scientific proposal and the legal framework of the Member State
(s) involved.

Any application for financing for research on human embryonic
stem cells shall include, as appropriate, details of licensing and
control measures that will be taken by the competent authorities
of the Member States as well as details of the ethical approval(s)
that will be provided.

As regards the derivation of human embryonic stem cells,
institutions, organisations and researchers shall be subject to
strict
in accordance with the legal
framework of the Member State(s) involved.

licensing and control

(1) Research relating to cancer treatment of the gonads may be financed.

3.
Proposals for indirect actions under the funding schemes
shall be evaluated and projects selected considering the criteria
set out in Article 15(1b) of the rules for participation and
dissemination.

4. The work programme may identify:

(a)

organisations that receive subscriptions in the form of a
membership fee;

(b)

support actions for the activities of specific legal entities.

Article 7

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementa-
tion of the specific programme.

2. The management procedure laid down in Article 8(2) shall
apply for the adoption of the following measures:

(a)

the work programme referred to in Article 6 including the
funding schemes to be used, the content of the calls for
proposals as well as the evaluation and selection criteria to
be applied;

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(b)

(c)

the approval of the funding of activities referred to in
Article 2, where the estimated amount of the Community
contribution under this programme is equal to or more
than EUR 0,6 million;

the drawing up of the terms of reference for the evaluations
provided for in Articles 7(2) and 7(3) of the Framework
Programme.

3. The regulatory procedure laid down in Article 8(3) shall
apply for the approval of the funding of activities involving the
use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells.

Article 8

programme, and shall provide it with timely information on all
RTD actions proposed or funded under this programme as
specified in Annex II.

5. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 9

The Commission shall arrange for the independent monitoring,
assessment and review provided for
the
Framework Programme Decision to be conducted concerning
the activities carried out in the fields covered by the specific
programme.

in Article 7 of

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee

Article 10

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7
of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.

This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at two months.

Article 11

3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7
of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.

The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at two months.

4. The Commission shall regularly inform the Committee of
the specific
the overall progress of

the implementation of

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 19 December 2006.

For the Council

The President

J. KORKEAOJA

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ANNEX I

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES, BROAD LINES OF THE THEMES AND ACTIVITIES

Introduction

One of the main competitive edges in science and technology is the quantity and quality of its human resources. As a
prerequisite for increasing Europe's capacity and performance in research and technological development and for
consolidating and further developing the European Research Area, the overall strategic aim of this programme is to make
Europe more attractive to researchers. This shall be done by pursuing a considerable structuring effect throughout Europe
on the organisation, performance and quality of research training, on the active career development of researchers, on
knowledge-sharing through researchers between sectors and research organisations, on increasing partnership between
industry and academia, and on strong participation by women and early-stage researchers in research and development.

The programme will be implemented by systematic investments in people, mainly through a coherent set of ‘Marie Curie
Actions’, particularly taking into account the European added-value in terms of their structuring effect on the European
Research Area. Building on the experience with the ‘Marie Curie Actions’ under previous Framework Programmes, these
actions address researchers in terms of their skills and competence development at all stages of their careers, from initial
research training specifically intended for young people, to career development and life-long training in the public and
private sector. Mobility, both trans-national and intersectoral, is fundamental to this programme. Increasing the mobility of
researchers and strengthening the resources of those institutions which attract researchers internationally will encourage
centres of excellence around the European Union. Recognition of experiences acquired in different sectors and countries,
and adequate working conditions are also key elements throughout the ‘Marie Curie Actions’. Special measures to encourage
early-stage researchers and support the early stages of scientific careers', as well as measures to reduce ‘brain drain’, such as
reintegration grants, will be introduced.

The ‘Marie Curie Actions’ are open to all domains of research and technological development addressed under the Treaty.
Research fields are chosen freely by the applicants. Nevertheless the possibility is retained to target certain activities under
the programme, for example regarding scientific disciplines and technological areas, participating regions, types of research
organisations and researcher population, in order to respond to the evolution of Europe's requirements in the area of
research training, mobility, career development and knowledge sharing. To ensure training and mobility within new research
and technology areas, appropriate coordination with other parts of the Framework Programme will be ensured, including
the possibility for joint calls.

A strong participation by enterprises,
is considered a crucial added value for this programme. The
enhancement of industry-academia cooperation in terms of research training, career development and knowledge sharing,
taking into account the protection of intellectual property rights, is encouraged throughout the ‘Marie Curie Actions’, while
a dedicated action is addressing industry-academia pathways and partnerships, with special attention being given to SMEs.

including SMEs,

The international dimension, as a fundamental component of human resources in research and development in Europe, will
be addressed in terms of career development without discrimination, as well as of strengthening and enriching international
cooperation through researchers and attracting research talent to Europe. The international dimension will be incorporated
throughout the ‘Marie Curie Actions’ and in addition will be subject to self-standing actions.

Due account will be taken of the principles of sustainable development and gender equality. The programme aims to ensure
‘Marie Curie Actions’ and by benchmarking gender
gender mainstreaming by encouraging equal opportunities in all
participation (a target of at least 40 % participation by women). In addition, the actions will be designed to assist researchers
to get established on a more stable career path and to ensure that researchers can achieve an appropriate work/life balance,
taking into account their family situation, and to contribute to facilitate resuming a research career after a break.
Furthermore, considerations of the ethical, social, legal and wider cultural aspects of the research to be undertaken and its
potential applications, as well as socioeconomic impacts of scientific and technological development and foresight, will be
addressed under this specific programme where relevant.

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In order to fully exploit Europe's potential for becoming more attractive to researchers, the ‘Marie Curie Actions’ will create
concrete synergies with other actions both within the framework of the Community research policy, as well as within
actions under other Community policies, e.g. on education, cohesion and employment. Such synergies will also be sought
with actions at regional, national and international level. Actions on linking science education to careers, and research and
coordination actions on new methods in science education are foreseen under the Science in society part of the ‘Capacities’
programme (1).

Ethical aspects

During the implementation of this specific programme and in the research activities arising from it, fundamental ethical
principles are to be respected. These include, inter alia, the principles reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
EU, including the following: protection of human dignity and human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as
animals and the environment in accordance with Community law and the latest versions of relevant international
conventions, guidelines and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration, the Convention of the Council of Europe on
Human Rights and Bio-medicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its Additional Protocols, the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on the human genome and human rights adopted by UNESCO, UN Biological
and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the
relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions.

Account will also be taken of the Opinions of the European Group of Advisers on the Ethical Implications of Biotechnology
(1991 to 1997) and the Opinions of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (as from 1998).

In compliance with the principle of subsidiarity and the diversity of approaches existing in Europe, participants in research
projects must conform to current legislation, regulations and ethical rules in the countries where the research will be carried
out. In any case, national provisions apply and no research forbidden in any given Member State or other country will be
supported by Community funding to be carried out in that Member State or country.

Where appropriate, those carrying out research projects must seek the approval of the relevant national or local ethics
committees prior to the start of the RTD activities. An ethical review will also be implemented systematically by the
Commission for proposals dealing with ethically sensitive issues or where ethical aspects have not been adequately
addressed. In specific cases an ethical review may take place during the implementation of a project.

No funding will be granted for research activities that are prohibited in all the Member States.

The Protocol on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty requires the Community to pay full regard to the
welfare requirements of animals in formulating and implementing Community policies including research. Council Directive
86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member
States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (2) requires that all
experiments be designed to avoid distress and unnecessary pain and suffering to the experimental animals; use the
minimum number of animals; involve animals with the lowest degree of neurophysiological sensitivity; and cause the least
pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Altering the genetic heritage of animals and cloning of animals may be considered
only if the aims are ethically justified and the conditions are such that the animals' welfare is guaranteed and the principles
of biodiversity are respected.

During the implementation of this programme, scientific advances and national and international provisions will be
regularly monitored by the Commission so as to take account of any developments.

Research on ethics related to scientific and technological developments will be carried out in the ‘Science in society’ part of
the ‘Capacities’ specific programme.

Activities

The following ‘Marie Curie Actions’ will be supported:

(1) With a view to facilitating the implementation of the programme, for each meeting of the programme committee as defined in the
agenda, the Commission will reimburse, in accordance with its established guidelines, the expenses of one representative per Member
State, as well as one expert/adviser per Member State for those agenda items where a Member State requires specific expertise.
(2) OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1. Directive as amended by Directive 2003/65/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 230,

16.9.2003, p. 32).

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Initial training of researchers

This action supports the initial training of researchers, typically directed at the first four years (or full-time equivalent) of
their careers, plus up to one additional year if necessary for the completion of the initial training. Through a trans-national
networking mechanism, aimed at structuring a substantial share of the high-quality initial research training capacity
throughout Member States and associated countries in both public and private sectors, the action aims to improve
researchers' career perspectives in both sectors, thereby also enhancing the attraction of young people to research careers.

The action will be implemented through support to competitively selected networks of complementary organisations from
different countries engaged in research training. In this frame support is foreseen for the best early-stage researchers to join
established research teams. The networks will be built on a joint research training programme, responding to well identified
training needs in defined scientific or technological areas, with appropriate references to interdisciplinary and newly
emerging supra-disciplinary fields. These training programmes will address in particular the development and broadening of
the research competences of the early stage researchers. Training will be primarily focused on scientific and technological
knowledge through research on individual projects, complemented by training modules addressing other relevant skills and
competences, e.g. in the field of management and financing of research projects and programmes, intellectual property
rights and other exploitation methods of research results, entrepreneurship, ethical aspects, communication and societal
outreach.

The joint research training programme should be coherent in terms of quality standards, with due provision for supervision
and mentoring arrangements. The joint training programme should exploit complementary competences of the participants
in the network, including from enterprises, as well as other synergies. It shall require the mutual recognition of the quality of
the training and, if possible, of diplomas and other certificates awarded. Particular attention will be paid to the problems
concerning the long-term employment of researchers.

Direct or indirect involvement of organisations from different sectors is considered essential in this action, including (lead-)
participation by private enterprises in appropriate fields. A single research organisation or twinning participations are
eligible under this action, if it is clearly demonstrated that the necessary elements of the research training programme are
effectively addressed in cooperation with a wider set of partners, without these being formally part of the network.

Community support under this action would comprise:

— the recruitment of early-stage researchers to be trained,

— the possibility for setting up academic chairs in higher education institutions or equivalent positions in other research
organisations and enterprises for experienced researchers, with a view to transferring new knowledge and
strengthening supervision of the early-stage researchers trained in a network,

— networking and the organisation of short training events (conferences, summer schools and specialised training

courses), open to both trainees of the network and to researchers from outside the network.

Life-long training and career development

This action targets experienced researchers at different stages of their careers, by enhancing their individual competence
diversification in terms of acquisition of multi- or interdisciplinary skills or the undertaking of inter-sectoral experiences.
The aim is to support researchers in attaining and/or strengthening a leading independent position, e.g. principal
investigator, professor or other senior position in education or enterprise. The action will also assist researchers to resume a
career in research after a break or to (re)integrate researchers into a research career in Member States and associated
countries, including in their country of origin, after a mobility experience.

Researchers addressed under this action should have at least four years of full-time or equivalent research experience or a
doctorate; as the action is directed at life-long training and career development, it is however expected that the researchers
will typically have a more senior profile in terms of experience.

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This action will be implemented through:

(i)

(ii)

support for individual trans-national intra-European fellowships awarded directly at Community level, to the best or
most promising researchers from Member States and associated countries, based on an application made by the
researchers in conjunction with the host organisations;

co-funding of regional, national or international programmes in the field of research training and career development
where this fulfils the criteria of European added value, transparency and openness, targeting a competitive selection of
existing or new regional, national and international funding programmes that focus on the objectives set for this
action, based on individual-driven mobility. These programmes are to apply an open, merit-based competition for the
applying researchers,
limitations regarding their origin and/or
destination. These programmes are expected to offer adequate working conditions for the final beneficiaries.

founded on international peer-review, without

Applicants for the co-funding modality would be key actors in capacity building of human resources in research on their
respective territories. They would typically be organisations falling in one of the following categories:

— official public bodies responsible for funding and managing fellowship programmes, e.g. ministries, state committees

for research, research academies or agencies;

— other public or private bodies, including large research organisations, that finance and manage fellowship programmes
either with an official mandate or recognised by public authorities, such as agencies established by governments under
private law with a public service mission, charities, etc.;

— bodies at international level that run comparable schemes at European level as part of their mission.

For the co-funding modality, the Community will primarily contribute to the financing of fellowships complying with the
requirements and aims of this action, notably in terms of trans-national mobility. International competition between
researchers will remain central in order to ensure highest quality of research under this activity.

Both implementation modes will be run in parallel from the beginning, with the co-funding mode initially on a controlled
scale allowing for the necessary experience to be gained. In the course of the Framework Programme an impact assessment
of the two modes will determine the implementation modalities for the remainder of the programme.

Industry-academia partnerships and pathways

This action seeks to open and foster dynamic pathways between public research organisations and private commercial
enterprises, including in particular SMEs, as well as traditional manufacturing industries. Activities will be based on longer
term cooperation programmes with a view to increasing intersectoral mobility and increasing the transfer and sharing of
knowledge (including project management, IPR management and product development) as well as promoting mutual
understanding of the different cultural settings and skill requirements of both sectors.

The action will be implemented in a flexible way, inter alia based on good practices on industry-academia partnership
throughout the EU, through cooperation programmes between organisations from both sectors from at least two different
Member States or associated States, with support for human resources interactions within that framework. Community
support will take one or more of the following forms:

— staff secondments between both sectors within the partnership, with a view of reinforcing the intersectoral

cooperation;

— temporary hosting in both sectors of experienced researchers recruited from outside the partnership;

— networking and the organisation of workshops and conferences enhancing the inter-sectoral experience and

knowledge exchange, in order to reach a larger number of staff members from both sectors;

— as an SME specific measure a contribution to small equipment related to their participation in the cooperation.

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The international dimension

Recognising the international dimension as a fundamental component of human resources in R & D in Europe, this
dimension is addressed through dedicated actions both in terms of career development of European researchers and in terms
of strengthening international cooperation through researchers.

The career development of researchers from Member States and associated countries will be supported through:

(i)

(ii)

outgoing international fellowships, with mandatory return, for experienced researchers within the framework of life-
long training and competence diversification, to acquire new skills and knowledge;

return and international reintegration grants for experienced researchers after an international experience. Under this
action the networking of researchers from Member States and associated countries abroad will also be supported with
a view to keep them actively informed about and involved in developments in the European Research Area.

The international cooperation through researchers will be supported through:

(i)

incoming international fellowships in order to attract highly qualified third-country researchers to Member States and
associated countries, for knowledge enhancement for Europe and to build up high-level connections. Researchers from
developing countries or from countries with emerging economies may benefit from support for a return phase.
Networking of third-country researchers in Member States and associated countries, with a view to structuring and
developing their contacts with their regions of origin, will also be supported;

(ii)

partnerships between several research organisations in Europe and one or more organisations in:

— countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy;

— countries with which the Community has an S & T Agreement.

On the basis of joint programmes Community support will be provided for short exchanges of early-stage and experienced
researchers, for the organisation of mutually beneficial conferences and other events, as well as for the development of a
systematic exchange of good practices with a direct bearing on issues regarding human resources in research and
development.

These actions will be implemented in line with the international activities under the ‘Cooperation’ and ‘Capacities’
programmes.

Specific actions

In support of the creation of a genuine European labour market for researchers, a coherent set of accompanying actions is to
be implemented, with a view to removing obstacles to mobility and to enhancing the career perspectives of researchers in
Europe. These actions will aim, in particular, at raising stakeholders and general public awareness, including through ‘Marie
Curie’ awards, at stimulating and supporting action at Member State level and at complementing Community actions. The
specific actions will also include incentive measures for public institutions that promote mobility, quality and profile of
researchers, where these activities fulfil the criteria of European added-value, openness and transparency.

L 54/100

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

22.2.2007

ANNEX II

Information to be provided by the Commission in accordance with Article 8(5)

1.

Information on actions, enabling the monitoring of the entire lifetime of each proposal, covering in particular:

— submitted proposals,

— evaluation results for each proposal,

— grant agreements,

— completed actions.

2.

Information on the outcome of each call and implementation of actions, covering in particular:

— results of each call,

— outcome of negotiations on grant agreements,

— implementation of actions, including payment data and outcome of actions.

3.

Information on programme implementation,
Programme, the specific programme and each activity.

including relevant

information at

the level of

the Framework

This information (in particular, on proposals, their evaluation and grant agreements) should be provided in a uniform
structured electronically-readable and treatable format accessible through an IT-based information and reporting system
which readily enables data analysis.