Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation by the Community in a European metrology research and development programme undertaken by several Member States {SEC(2008)2948} {SEC(2008)2949}
Date: 2008-12-03
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, EU research policy, metrology, research programme

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 3.12.2008 
COM(2008) 814 final 

2008/0230 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on the participation by the Community in a European metrology research and 
development programme undertaken by several Member States  

{SEC(2008)2948} 
{SEC(2008)2949} 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

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CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

1.1. 

Objectives 

The purpose of this proposal, based on Article 169 of the EC Treaty is to establish a 
European  Metrology  Research  Programme  (EMRP)  bringing  together  22  national 
metrology research programmes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public 
metrology  research.  It  aims  to  contribute  to  structuring  the  European  Research  Area 
through better coordination, thereby tackling common European challenges, increasing 
the impact of these programmes and removing barriers between national programmes. 
The following Member States or associated countries to the Framework Programme 7 
(FP7) are involved: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, 
France,  Germany,  Hungary,  Italy,  the  Netherlands,  Poland,  Portugal,  Romania, 
Slovakia,  Slovenia,  Spain,  Sweden  and  the  United  Kingdom  as  well  as  Norway, 
Switzerland  and  Turkey.  The  Institute  for  Reference  Materials  and  Measurements  of 
the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission may be an Associate to 
the programme. 

This initiative was announced in the FP7 Cooperation Specific Programme. The EMRP 
initiative  has  a  planned  national  contribution  of  participating  countries  of  EUR  200 
million including a flexibility at national level of up to 50 % of national contribution 
and an expected Community contribution of EUR 200 million.  

1.2. 

Grounds for the proposal 

Metrology  is  not  a  very  visible  field  yet  it  is  essential  for  the  facilitation  of  modern 
trade and communications. Metrology research has a strong public good character and 
is a main supporting activity for government regulation and standardisation. All major 
economic  powers  in  the  world  have  recognized  that  R&D  in  metrology  is  critical  to 
long term economic growth. Against this background, Europe is facing what is called 
the  “European  metrology  dilemma”;  i.e.  to  permanently  align  metrology  research 
efforts  with  societal  needs  which  are  more  demanding,  more  complex  and  therefore 
more  resource  intensive  whilst  still  servicing  existing  "traditional"  demands  without 
any new or additional resources.  

The  approach  outlined  here  is  to  increase  the  available  resources  and  can  only  be 
successful  if  it  takes  into  account  fully  the  existing  national  systems  and,  integrates 
them  into  a  true  European  programme,  which  should  lead  to  a  real  step-change  and 
modernisation of the existing national systems. The EMRP offers a way to reduce the 
duplication of efforts and raise common ambitions through more differentiated agendas 
from country to country. 

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1.3. 

General context 

The  actors  in  European  metrology  research  form  a  specialised  community  loosely 
linked to research organisations or academia. It is highly fragmented, comprising a few 
centres  of  global  excellence  which  would  benefit  from  wide  competition  on  an 
international scale.  

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The  European  potential  in  metrology  research  is  not  fully  exploited.  Joint  action 
between Member States and the Community is needed in order to provide for a modern 
research effort in metrology. 

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1.4. 

Existing provisions in the area of the proposal 

Although  the  European  metrology  research  community  has  access  to  a  number  of 
programmes  under  the  Framework  Programme,  there  is  currently  no  specific  scheme 
addressing metrology needs. 

The EMRP initiative addresses this lack of coordinated action, by offering a bottom-up 
programme,  specifically 
towards  metrology  needs.  The  EMRP  Joint 
Programme places the National Metrology Institutes (NMI) in the driving seat.  

tailored 

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1.5. 

Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the Union 

The  general  policy  objectives  of  the  initiative  are  to  enhance  the  EU's  capacity  to 
achieve  high  level  policy  goals  and  respond  to  the  major  challenges  it  faces  in  the 
coming years: 

•  To  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  the  objectives  of  the  revised  Lisbon 

Strategy. 

•  In particular to invest more and better in knowledge for growth and jobs. 

•  To contribute to the realisation of the ERA. 

•  To help Europe respond more effectively to key societal challenges such as 

environmental protection, health care, food safety, or public security. 

2. 

CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND ASSESSMENT OF THE OPTIONS 

2.1. 

Consultation of interested parties 

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Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents 

An Impact Assessment steering group met on 1 July 2008, and a formal inter-service 
group (ISG) for the overall initiative was set up and met on 31 July and 25 September 
2008. 

a) Web consultation  

As  part  of  the  stakeholder  consultation,  an  online  survey  was  conducted  by  the 
Commission between 7 May and 8 July 2008. A total of 162 responses to the online 
survey were recorded, with 64% (104 responses) replying on behalf of an organisation 
and 36% in an individual capacity. Of those replying on behalf of an organisation, the 
majority  were  from  commercial  organisations  with  less  than  250  employees  (26%), 
commercial organisations with more than 250 employees (21%) and higher education 
institutions  (18%).  The  survey  respondents  were  mainly  involved  in  metrology 
research (54%) or in the take-up and use of metrology (28%).  

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b) Open Stakeholder meeting – 25 June 2008  

In addition to the web consultation, a stakeholder consultation workshop was organised 
on  25  June  2008.  The  workshop  was  attended  by  32  individuals  from  eight  different 
countries and several international organisations, and several NMIs. 

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Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account 

The responses given during the online consultation and during the open stakeholders' 
meeting were taken into account in the impact assessment and in the elaboration of the 
proposal. 

2.2. 

Policy options and how they compare 

The  options  for  Community  action  are  guided  by  the  logic  and  intervention 
mechanisms  of  the  FP7.  Apart  from  the  "no  action"  scenario,  these  options  therefore 
refer  to  either  indirect  or  direct  Community  actions  (research  funding)  under  FP7, 
which  would  match  the  existing  national  intervention  logic  concerning  research 
programming in different Member States (MS).  

The options are labelled as follows on the basis of their main characteristics: 

Policy  Option  1:  "No  further  Community  action";  status  quo,  no  further  action  on 

EMRP - may lead to intergovernmental approach. 

Policy  Option  2:  "Bottom-up  community  indirect  action  –  light  coordination";  under 
FP7  programmes  and  themes  (Cooperation  –  Capacities  Programmes).  The 
aim would be to use the ERA-NET scheme and/or the ERA-NET Plus scheme 
but addressing isolated issues theme by theme and in the FP programme part 
by programme part ("business-as-usual" option). 

Policy Option 3: "Top – Down community indirect action"; Reinstall metrology theme 
in the FP – Part under FP7 or preparation of FP8 and reinstall a Community 
Programme on Metrology.  

Policy  Option  4:  "Article  169  –  programme  integration  through  community  indirect 
action"; Community action to achieve MS programme integration via Article 
169, as indicated in the FP7 Cooperation Specific Programme. 

Policy  Option  5:  "JRC  –  direct  action";  a  single  European  metrology  research 
programme  to  be  implemented  via  the  Joint  Research  Center  to  cover 
metrology needs at European level. 

The  difference  between  these  five  options  lies  in  the  way  in  which  the  Community 
intervention  is  set  up  –  either  as  an  indirect  action  or  a  direct  action.  The  main 
characteristics  of  each  policy  option  are  discussed  in  detail  in  the  following  sub-
sections. 

Should Policy Option 1 be chosen, the present situation will not remain stable due to 
the  absence  of  any  Community  political  and/or  financial  intervention  (ERA-NET  or 
other coordination tools). It will most likely deteriorate as Member States will invest less 

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if  the  domain  of  metrology  research  as  the  area  does  not  to  appear  as  a  European 
priority area. The status quo and separation between the Member States' programmes will 
remain;  the  likelihood  of  research  groups  of  newcomer  countries  linking  up  with 
experienced  and  high  level  research  teams  in  more  advanced  countries  will  be  low. 
Policy Option 2 would continue the approach adopted with the ERA-NET in FP6 and 
ERA-NET-Plus  at  the  start  of  FP7.  EU  policy  domains  and  research  fields  (e.g., 
energy,  environment)  can  be  easily  involved  directly  into  the  coordination  with  MS 
programmes  and  well  conceived  interaction  mechanisms  with  various  metrology 
oriented  ERA-NETs  will  be  key.  A  coherent  joint  long  term  programmatic  approach 
will not take place as in the case of a genuine European research programme. Policy 
Option  3  needs  no  major  institutional  set  up.  It  would  create  a  dedicated  research 
programme  for  metrology  where  the  metrology  community  and  the  whole  science 
community as well as industry in general can compete  for funding under FP rules. It 
provides  the  opportunity  to  focus  in  particular  on  new  technological  challenges  in 
emerging  fields,  thus  contributing  to  the  modernisation  of  the  sector.  This  route  is 
similar to Option 2. It will have no effect on the existing national metrology research 
systems  and  integration  between  the  national  programmes  and  infrastructures.  Policy 
Option 4 creates a platform for joint EU and Member State research programming, thus 
creating  a  coherent  and  long  term  research  agenda  with  a  critical  mass.  The  active 
participation  of  the  European  Commission  can  ensure  an  emphasis  on  mobility, 
openness  and  a  focus  on  emerging  areas.  The  combination  of  EU  and  national  funds 
creates  a critical mass that can stimulate structural changes in the national metrology 
research  systems.  The  linkages  with  industry  are  not  explicit  at  EU  level  and  remain 
rather  at  national  level.  This  option  will  require  substantial  institutional  changes  that 
will  likely  take  time  to  implement  involving  complex  negotiation  with  MS.  Policy 
Option 5 implies that metrology research will take place in isolation from the Member 
States,  their  respective  research  programmes  and  related  infrastructures  and  thus  have  little 
influence on restructuring national metrology research systems and will not consider Member 
States'  needs.  Additional  bottlenecks  are  the  recruitment  requirements  for  JRC,  the 
likelihood  of  duplicated  infrastructure  and  the  lack  of  competition  in  the  metrology 
field,  which  by  its  nature  needs  competing  research  tracks  to  find  the  most  reliable 
solutions.  

2.3.  Why use Article 169? 

Options  1  and  5  are  not  viable  alternatives  to  address  the  problem  stated  above  and 
detailed analysis was limited to options 2, 3 and 4 to compare the pros and cons. 

The overall conclusion is that time is ripe for an Art. 169 initiative in metrology. The 
initiative  is  important  both  for  the  advancement  and  modernisation  of  the  European 
metrology research system and as support for those industries and scientific fields that 
need increasingly sophisticated metrology activities. 

3. 

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

3.1. 

Summary of the proposed action 

The EMRP will integrate national programmes of twenty-two participating States into 

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a  single  joint  research  programme  and  support,  in  particular,  the  objectives  of  the 
European National Measurement Systems. The EMRP will accelerate the development, 
validation  and  exploitation  of  new  measuring  techniques,  standards,  processes, 
instruments,  reference  materials  and  knowledge  aimed  at  driving 
innovative 
developments  in  industry  and  commerce,  improving  the  quality  of  data  for  science, 
industry  and  policymaking  and  supporting  the  development  and  implementation  of 
directives and regulations.  

The EMRP will achieve these objectives in the following way: 

a)  Pooling  excellence  in  metrology  research  -  by  creating  competitive  joint  research 
projects  marshalling  capability  for  sufficient  critical  mass  from  the  networks  of 
National  Metrology  Institutes  (NMI)  and  Designated  Institutes  (DI)  from  the 
participating States to tackle major metrology challenges faced at European level; 

b) Openness of the system to best science - by increasing participation from the wider 
European researcher community through researcher grants; 

c)  Capacity  building  -  by  increasing  the  capability  of  the  European  metrology 
researcher  community  through  researcher  mobility  grants  targeting  those  EURAMET 
1Member Countries with limited metrology research capability. 

The  EMRP  will  complement  ongoing  national  programmes  and  activities  aimed  at 
addressing purely national priorities.  

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3.2. 

Legal basis 

The proposal for the EMRP is based on Article 169 of the EC Treaty, which provides 
for the participation of the Community in research programmes jointly undertaken by 
several  Member  States,  including  participation  in  the  structures  created  for  the 
execution of those programmes. 

This  proposal  corresponds  to  indirect  centralised  management,  according  to  the 
provisions of Art. 54(2)(c) of the Financial Regulation. According to Article 56 of the 
Financial  Regulation,  the  Commission  will  first  obtain  evidence  of  the  existence  and 
proper operation of, inter alia, grant-award procedures, an internal control system, an 
adequate accounting system within the entity to which it entrusts implementation, and 
an independent external audit. 

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3.3. 

Subsidiarity principle 

The  subsidiarity  principle  applies  insofar  as  the  proposal  does  not  fall  under  the 
exclusive competence of the Community. 

In  the  case  of  the  proposed  process  for  an  EMRP,  purely  national  or  inter-
governmental  actions  aimed  at  coordination  of  public  metrology  R&D  have  not 
expanded  in  recent  years  and  would  not  add  financial  resources  nor  integrate  the 
EMRP in the Framework Programme and the wider frame of ERA. Therefore, Member 

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EURAMET  e.V.  is  the  dedicated  implementation  structure  of  the  EMRP.  It  was  established  in  2007 
under German law as a non-profit association and is the European regional metrology organisation. 

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States are unlikely to be able to address these problems acting alone. 

The  right  for  the  Community  to  act  in  this  field  is  set  out  in  several  Articles  of  the 
Treaty  which  make  provision  for  research  coordination  and  cooperation  between 
Member  States  and  the  Community.  Article  165  stipulates  that  "the  Community  and 
the  Member  States  shall  coordinate  their  research  and  technological  development 
activities  so  as  to  ensure  that  national  policies  and  Community  policy  are  mutually 
consistent".  It  also  allows  the  Commission,  in  close  cooperation  with  the  Member 
States, to "take any useful initiative" to promote such coordination. 

For many years, the Community has made use of the various provisions of the Treaty 
in order to encourage greater coordination and cooperation between national research 
programmes. In 2000, the Lisbon European Council concluded that research activities 
at national and Union level must be better integrated and coordinated to make them as 
efficient and innovative as possible. In 2006, the European Parliament put emphasis on 
better  coordination  of  national  and  European  research  programmes.  In  the  FP7 
Cooperation  Specific  programme  an  Article  169  Initiative  was  announced  to 
implement  a  joint  European  metrology  research  programme  via  the  existing  National 
Metrology Laboratory networks.  

3.4. 

Proportionality principle 

The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reason(s). 

Article 169 invites the Community to make "provision, in agreement with the Member 
States  concerned,  for  participation  in  research  and  development  programmes 
undertaken by several Member States, including participation in the structures created 
for the execution of those programmes." Against this background, Member States are 
in the lead and have large scope for national decisions. 

Based on the Impact Assement analysis, the estimated portion of potential "European" 
project  funding  that  could  realistically  be  freed  from  direct  national  control  is  about 
200 M€ over 6-7 years, plus a reserve budget of 100 M€.  

With  the  proposed  Community  Contribution  of  200 M€  MS  EMRP  would  shift 
drastically  from  a  fragmented  and  purely  national  RTD  investment  in  metrology 
research towards a structured and balanced investment at national and EU level. 

3.5. 

Choice of instruments 

The proposed instrument is a co-decision by the European Parliament and the Council, 
which is the means for implementing Article 169. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

The  budgetary  implications  of  this  horizontal  proposal  are  already  mentioned  in  the 
legal basis of FP72 as well as in the "Cooperation" Specific Programme of FP73. The 

Decision No 1982/2006/EC, OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1 
Decision No 971/2006/EC, OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86 

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agreement to be concluded between the Commission and the dedicated implementation 
structure shall ensure that the financial interests of the Community are protected. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

5.1. 

Simulation, pilot phase and transitory period 

The  ERA-NET  Plus  action  serves  as  a  simulation  or  pilot  phase  for  the  EMRP 
proposal.  In  order  to  maintain  the  momentum  and  to  continue  the  preparation  of 
EMRP, the Commission has identified this ERA-NET Plus action in the Cooperation 
Work Programme as a bridging measure towards the future 'Article 169' proposal. EUR 
21 million has been earmarked for iMERA Plus in the Cooperation Work Programme. 
The  success  of  the  ERA-NET  Plus  Call  has  clearly  demonstrated  the  ability  to  join 
national  resources  from  20  countries,  organise  and  execute  a  joint  Call  and  selection 
process,  leading  to  committing  EUR  64  million  to  21  collaborative  projects  in  late 
2007. Results will serve Europe as a whole and this test case addressed all important 
implementation issues like for example intellectual property rights (IPR) issues. 

A further transitory period for the EMRP is not needed. 

5.2. 

Simplification 

The  proposal  provides  for  the  simplification  of  administrative  procedures  for  public 
authorities (EU or national) and for private parties. 

The EU will deal directly with the dedicated implementation structure of EMRP which 
will be in charge of allocating, monitoring and reporting on the use of the Community 
contribution. 

5.3. 

Review/revision/sunset clause 

The proposal includes a review clause. 

5.4. 

European Economic Area 

The proposed act concerns an EEA matter and should therefore extend to the European 
Economic Area. 

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2008/0230 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on the participation by the Community in a European metrology research and 
development programme undertaken by several Member States  

(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Articles 169 and 172, second paragraph, thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission4, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee5, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty6, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

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 
(2007-2013)  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  "the  Seventh  Framework  Programme")7 
provides  for  Community  participation  in  research  and  development  programmes 
undertaken by several Member States, including participation in the structures created 
for  the  execution  of  those  programmes,  within  the  meaning  of  Article  169  of  the 
Treaty. 

The  Seventh  Framework  Programme  has  defined  a  series  of  criteria  for  the 
identification  of  areas  for  such  Article  169  initiatives:  the  relevance  to  Community 
objectives, the clear definition of the objective to be pursued and its relevance to the 
objectives of the Framework Programme, the presence of a pre-existing basis (existing 
or envisaged national research programmes), a European added value, a critical mass 
with regard to the size and the number of programmes involved and the similarity of 

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OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1. 

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activities they cover, and the efficiency of Article 169 as the most appropriate means 
for achieving the objectives. 

(3) 

Council  Decision  No  971/2006/EC  of  19  December  2006  concerning  the  Specific 
Programme  "Cooperation"  implementing  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  of  the 
European  Community  for  research,  technological  development  and  demonstration 
activities  (2007-2013)8  (hereinafter  referred 
the  "Specific  Programme 
"Cooperation"")  encourages  a  cross-thematic  approach  of  research  topics  relevant  to 
one  or  more  themes  of  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme,  and  in  this  context 
identified an Article 169 initiative in the field of metrology as one of the fields suitable 
for Community participation in national research programmes jointly implemented on 
the basis of Article 169 of the Treaty. 

to  as 

(4)  Metrology  is  a  cross-disciplinary  scientific  field  which  is  a  vital  component  of  a 
modern  knowledge-based  society.  Reliable  and  comparable  measurement  standards, 
appropriate validated measuring and test methods underpin the processes of scientific 
advancement  and  technological  innovation  and  thus  have  a  significant  impact  on 
economy and quality of lives within Europe. 

(5) 

At  present,  a  number  of  research  and  development  programmes  or  activities 
undertaken  by  Member  States  individually  at  national  level  to  support  R&D  in 
metrology  are  not  sufficiently  coordinated  at  European  level  and  do  not  allow  to 
assemble the necessary critical mass requested in strategic research and development 
areas. 

(6)  Wishing to have a coherent approach at European level in the field of metrology and 
to act effectively, several Member States have taken the initiative in setting up a joint 
research  and  development  programme  entitled  "European  Metrology  Research 
Programme"  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  "EMRP")  in  order  to  respond  to  the  growing 
demands in Europe for cutting-edge metrology, particularly in emerging technological 
areas, as a tool for innovation, scientific research and support for policy.  

(7) 

(8) 

In its work programme for 2007-2008 of 11 June 2007 for the implementation of the 
Specific  Programme  "Cooperation"9,  the  Commission  provided  financial  support  to 
the  ERA-NET  Plus  in  the  field  of  metrology  in  order  to  facilitate  the  transition 
between  the  "iMERA"  ERA-NET  project  and  the  joint  research  and  development 
programme in the field of metrology to be implemented on the basis of Article 169 of 
the EC Treaty. 

The  EMRP  aims  to  support  scientific  development  and  innovation  by  providing  the 
necessary  legal  and  organisational  framework  for  large-scale  European  cooperation 
between Member States on metrology research in any technological or industrial field. 
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, 
Hungary,  Italy,  the  Netherlands,  Poland,  Portugal,  Romania,  Slovakia,  Slovenia, 
Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Turkey 
(hereinafter  referred  to  as  "the  participating  States")  have  agreed  to  coordinate  and 
implement jointly activities aimed at contributing to the EMRP. The overall value of 

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OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86 
C(2007)2460 of 11 June 2007 

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their  participation  is  estimated  at  a  minimum  of  EUR  200  million  plus  a  reserve 
funding capability of EUR 100 million for the proposed period of seven years.  

(9) 

In order to increase the impact of the EMRP, the participating States have agreed to a 
Community participation in the EMRP. The Community should participate therein by 
making  a  financial  contribution  matching  that  of  the  participating  States  up  to  a 
maximum  EUR  200  million  for  the  duration  of  the  EMRP.  Given  that  the  EMRP 
meets the scientific objectives of the Seventh Framework Programme and that actions 
in  the  field  of  metrology  are  of  a  horizontal  nature  or  not  directly  linked  to  the  ten 
themes, the EMRP should be supported jointly across all of the relevant themes.  

(10)  Further financing options may be available, inter alia, from the European Investment 
Bank (EIB), in particular through the Risk-Sharing Finance Facility developed jointly 
with  the  EIB  and  the  Commission  pursuant  to  Annex  III  of  the  Specific  Programme 
"Cooperation". 

(11)  The  Community  financial  support  should  be  provided  subject  to  the  definition  of  a 
financing plan based on formal commitments from the competent national authorities 
to  implement  jointly  the  research  and  development  programmes  and  activities 
undertaken at national level and to contribute to the financing of the joint execution of 
EMRP. 

(12)  The  joint  implementation  of  the  national  research  programmes  requires  the 
establishment or existence of a dedicated implementation structure, as provided for in 
the Specific Programme "Cooperation". The participating States have agreed on such a 
dedicated 
the  EMRP.  The  dedicated 
implementation  structure  should  be  the  recipient  of  the  Community  contribution  and 
should ensure the efficient execution of the EMRP. 

implementation  structure 

implement 

to 

(13)  The  Community  contribution  should  be  subject  to  commitments  of  resources  by  the 
participating States and the effective payment of their financial contributions. 

(14)  While  the  Joint  Research  Centre  is  a  department  of  the  Commission,  its  institutes 
possess research capabilities that are relevant to the EMRP and that hence should be 
activated  in  its  implementation.  Therefore,  it  is  appropriate  to  define  the  role  of  the 
Joint Research Centre in terms of its eligibility for participation and for funding and of 
its involvement in the governance of the EMRP. 

(15)  The payment of the Community contribution is subject to the conclusion of a general 
agreement  between  the  Commission  on  behalf  of  the  European  Community  and  the 
dedicated  implementation  structure,  containing  the  detailed  arrangements  for  the  use 
of the Community contribution. This general agreement should contain the necessary 
provisions to ensure that the financial interests of the Community are protected. 

(16)  The  interest  generated  by  the  Community  contribution  should  be  considered  as 
assigned  revenue,  in  accordance  with  Article  18(2)  of  Council  Regulation  (EC, 
Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the 
general  budget  of  the  European  Communities10  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  "the 

10 

OJ L 248, 16.09.2002, p. 1. 

EN 

11 

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Financial  Regulation").  The  maximum  Community  contribution  indicated  in  this 
decision may be increased accordingly by the Commission. 

(17)  The  Community  should  have  the  right  to  reduce,  withhold  or  terminate  its  financial 
contribution in the event the EMRP is implemented inadequately, partially or late, or 
in case the participating States do not contribute or contribute partially or late to the 
financing of the EMRP, on the terms set out in a general agreement to be concluded 
between the Community and the dedicated implementation structure. 

(18) 

In  order  to  efficiently  implement  the  EMRP,  financial  support  should  be  granted  to 
participants in the EMRP projects selected at the central level under the responsibility 
of the dedicated implementation structure following calls for proposals. Such financial 
support and its payment should be transparent and efficient.  

(19)  The  evaluation  of  proposals  should  be  performed  centrally  by  independent  experts 
under  the  responsibility  of  the  dedicated  implementation  structure.  A  ranking  should 
be  approved  by  the  dedicated  implementation  structure  which  should  be  binding  as 
regards  the  allocation  of  funding  from  the  Community  contribution  and  from  the 
national budgets earmarked for EMRP projects. 

(20) 

In  accordance  with  the  Financial  Regulation  and  Commission  Regulation  (EC, 
Euratom)  No  2342/2002  of  23  December  2002  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the 
implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial 
Regulation  applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the  European  Communities11 
(hereinafter  referred  to  as  "Implementing  Rules"),  the  Community  contribution  shall 
be  managed  in  the  framework  of  indirect  centralised  management  according  to  the 
provisions  of  Articles  54(2)(c)  and  56  of  the  Financial  Regulation,  and  Articles  35, 
38(2) and 41 of the Implementing Rules. 

(21)  Any Member State and any country associated to the Seventh Framework Programme 

should be entitled to join the EMRP.  

(22) 

In line with the objectives of the Seventh Framework Programme, the participation in 
the EMRP of any other countries should be possible provided that such participation is 
foreseen  by  the  relevant  international  agreement  and  provided  that  both  the 
Commission, on behalf of the Community, and the participating Member States agree 
to it. In accordance with the Seventh Framework Programme, the Community should 
have  the  right  to  agree  conditions  relating  to  its  financial  contribution  to  the  EMRP 
concerning  the  participation  therein  of  such  other  countries  in  accordance  with  the 
rules and conditions set out in this decision. 

(23)  Appropriate  measures  should  be  taken  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  December 
1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests12, Regulation 
(EC, Euratom) 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 

11 
12 

OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. 
OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1. 

EN 

12 

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Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities13 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)14

 . 

(24) 

It is essential that the research activities carried out under the EMRP conform to basic 
ethical principles, including those reflected in Article 6 of the Treaty on the European 
Union  and in  the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and follow 
the principles of gender mainstreaming and gender equality. 

(25)  The  Commission  should  conduct  an  interim  evaluation,  assessing  the  quality  and 
efficiency of the implementation of the EMRP and progress towards the objectives set, 
as well as a final evaluation.  

(26)  The  dedicated  implementation  structure  should  encourage  the  participants  in  the 
selected EMRP projects to communicate and disseminate their results and to make this 
information publicly available, 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 
Community contribution 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The  Community  shall  make  a  financial  contribution  to  the  "European  Metrology 
Research  Programme"  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  "EMRP")  undertaken  jointly  by 
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, 
Hungary,  Italy,  the  Netherlands,  Poland,  Portugal,  Romania,  Slovakia,  Slovenia, 
Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Turkey 
(hereinafter referred to as "participating States").  

The  Community  shall  make  a  financial  contribution  matching  that  of  the 
participating States but not exceeding EUR 200 million paid from the appropriations 
of the general budget of the European Communities, for the duration of the Seventh 
Framework  Programme,  in  accordance  with  the  principles  set  out  in  Annex  I  and 
Annex II of this decision. 

The  Community  contribution  shall  jointly  be  paid  from  the  budget  appropriations 
allocated  to  all  the  relevant  themes  of  the  Specific  Programme  "Cooperation" 
to  Decision 
the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  pursuant 
implementing 
2006/974/EC.  

Article 2 
Conditions of the Community contribution 

The Community contribution shall be conditional upon:  

13 
14 

OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p 2. 
OJ L 136, 31.05.1999, p. 1. 

EN 

13 

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(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

the  demonstration  by  the  participating  States  that  the  EMRP  as  described  in 
Annex I of this decision has been efficiently set up;  

the formal establishment of the dedicated implementation structure with legal 
personality  which  shall  be  responsible  for  the  implementation  of  the  EMRP 
and for receiving, allocating and monitoring the Community contribution in the 
framework  of  indirect  centralised  management  in  accordance  with  Articles 
54(2)(c)  and  56  of  the  Financial  Regulation  and  Articles  35,  38(2)  and  41  of 
the Implementing Rules; 

the  establishment  of  the  appropriate  and  efficient  governance  model  for  the 
EMRP in conformity with Annex II of this decision;  

the efficient carrying out of the activities under the EMRP described in Annex 
I of this decision by the dedicated implementation structure, which entails the 
launch of calls for proposals; 

the  commitment  by  each  participating  State  to  contribute  its  share  of  the 
financing of the EMRP, and to increase this contribution by a reserve funding 
capability of 50 % in order to cope with a high success rate of its participants in 
the EMRP projects, and the effective payment of the financial contribution to 
beneficiaries; 

compliance with the State aid rules of the Community, and in particular with 
the  Community  Framework  for  State  Aid  for  Research,  Development  and 
Innovation15;  

ensuring  a  high  level  of  scientific  excellence  and  observance  of  ethical 
principles in accordance with the general principles of the Seventh Framework 
Programme, and of gender mainstreaming and gender equality, and sustainable 
development; 

the formulation of provisions governing the intellectual property rights arising 
from  the  activities  carried  out  under  the  EMRP  and  the  implementation  and 
coordination  of  the  research  and  development  programmes  and  activities 
undertaken at national level by the participating States in such a way that they 
aim at promoting the creation of such knowledge and at supporting a wide use 
and dissemination of the knowledge created. The approach taken shall follow 
the  model  established  by  Regulation  (EC)  No  1906/2006  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for 
the  participation  of  undertakings,  research  centres  and  universities  in  actions 
under  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  and  for  the  dissemination  of 
research  results  (2007-2013)16  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  "the  Rules  for 
Participation in the Seventh Framework Programme"). 

15 
16 

OJ C 323, 30.12.2006, p. 1. 
OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p.1. 

EN 

14 

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Article 3 
Activities of the EMRP 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The core  activity of  the  EMRP shall consist in  funding multi-partner trans-national 
EMRP  projects  addressing  research,  technological  development,  training  and 
dissemination activities (hereinafter referred to as "EMRP projects"). In view of the 
concentrated  capacities  in  metrology,  the  core  part  of  the  EMRP  projects  shall  be 
executed  by  National  Metrology  Institutes  and  Designated  Institutes  from 
participating States. 

In order to increase and diversify the capacities in metrology, the EMRP shall also 
fund several researcher grant schemes which shall complement the EMRP projects. 

The  EMRP  projects  shall  be  selected  and  the  researcher  grants  awarded  following 
calls  for  proposals  respecting  the  principles  of  equal  treatment,  transparency, 
independent evaluation, co-financing, funding not giving rise to profit as well as non-
retroactivity as set out in Annex I of this decision. 

The core evaluation criteria shall be mutatis mutandis those of Article 15(1) (a) and 
(b)  of  the  Rules  for  Participation  in  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  for  the 
EMRP  projects  and  researcher  grant  schemes,  respectively.  The  call  for  proposals 
shall concretise the core evaluation criteria. Additional criteria may be introduced on 
condition that they are published in the call for proposals, are non-discriminatory and 
do not prevail over the core evaluation criteria. 

5. 

Further details on the implementation of the activities of the EMRP are provided in 
Annex I of this decision. 

Article 4 
Role of the Joint Research Centre 

1. 

2. 

3. 

The  Joint  Research  Centre  of  the  European  Commission  shall  be  eligible  for 
participation in and for funding by the EMRP under conditions comparable to those 
of National Metrology Institutes of participating States. 

The  own  resources  of  the  Joint  Research  Centre,  which  are  not  covered  by  the 
funding by the EMRP, shall not count as Community contribution within the scope 
of Article 1. 

The institute responsible for metrology of the Joint Research Centre, as a department 
of the Commission acting on behalf of the Community, shall be entitled to participate 
in the implementation of the EMRP within the dedicated implementation structure as 
an observer without voting rights. 

Article 5 
Agreements between the Community and the dedicated implementation structure 

The detailed arrangements for the management and control of funds and the protection of the 
Communities'  financial  interests  shall  be  laid  down  in  a  general  agreement  and  annual 

EN 

15 

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financial agreements to be concluded between the Commission, on behalf of the Community, 
and the dedicated implementation structure.  

The general agreement shall in particular include the following provisions: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

a definition of the tasks assigned; 

the conditions and detailed arrangements for performing the tasks, including 
appropriate  provisions  for  demarcating  responsibilities  and  organising  the 
controls to be carried out; 

the rules on reporting to the Commission on how the tasks are performed; 

the conditions under which performance of the tasks terminates; 

the detailed arrangements for Commission scrutiny; 

the conditions governing the use of separate bank accounts, the treatment of 
the interest yielded; 

the provisions guaranteeing the visibility of Community action in relation to 
the other activities of the dedicated implementing structure; 

an  undertaking  to  refrain  from  any  act  which  may  give  rise  to  a  conflict  of 
interests within the meaning of Article 52(2) of the Financial Regulation; 

the  provisions  governing  the  intellectual  property  rights  arising  from  the 
activities carried out under the EMRP referred to in Article 2.  

Article 6 
Interests from the Community contribution 

In  accordance  with  Article  18(2)  of  the  Financial  Regulation,  the  interest  generated  by  the 
Community contribution allocated to the EMRP shall be considered as assigned revenue. The 
maximum  Community  contribution  indicated  in  Article  1  may  be  increased  accordingly  by 
the Commission. 

Article 7 
Diminution of Community contribution as sanction for faulty implementation 

If  the  EMRP  is  not  implemented  or  is  implemented  inadequately,  partially  or  late,  the 
Community  may  reduce,  withhold  or  terminate  its  financial  contribution  in  line  with  the 
actual implementation of the EMRP. 

If the participating States do not contribute or contribute only partially or late to the financing 
of  the  EMRP,  the  Community  may  reduce  its  financial  contribution  in  line  with  the  actual 
amount of public funding allocated by the participating States on the terms laid down in the 
general  agreement 
the  dedicated 
implementation structure. 

to  be  concluded  between 

the  Commission  and 

EN 

16 

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Article 8 
Protection of the Communities' financial interest by the participating States 

In  implementing  the  EMRP,  the  participating  States  shall  take  the  legislative,  regulatory, 
administrative  or  other  measures  necessary  for  protecting  the  Communities'  financial 
interests.  In  particular,  the  participating  States  shall  take  necessary  measures  to  ensure  full 
recovery  of  any  amounts  due  to  the  Community  in  accordance  with  Article  54(2)(c)  of  the 
Financial Regulation and Article 38(2) of the Implementing Rules. 

Article 9 
Control by the Court of Auditors 

The Commission and the Court of Auditors shall be entitled, through their officials or agents, 
to  carrying  out  all  the  checks  and  inspections  needed  to  ensure  proper  management  of  the 
Community  funds  and  protect  the  Communities'  financial  interest  against  any  fraud  or 
irregularity. To this end, the participating States and/or the dedicated implementation structure 
shall, in due course, make all relevant documents available to the Commission and the Court 
of Auditors. 

Article 10 
Mutual information 

The Commission shall communicate all relevant information to the European Parliament, the 
Council  and  the  Court  of  Auditors.  The  participating  States  are  invited  to  submit  to  the 
Commission,  through  the  dedicated  implementation  structure,  any  additional  information 
required by the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors concerning the 
financial  management  of  the  dedicated  implementation  structure  that  is  consistent  with  the 
overall reporting requirements set out in Article 13(1). 

Article 11 
Participation of further Member States and associated countries  

Any Member State and any country associated to the Seventh Framework Programme shall be 
entitled to join the EMRP in accordance with the criteria as set out in Article 2(e) and (f) and 
shall be treated as a participating State. 

Article 12 
Participation of other third countries  

The  participating  States  and  the  Commission  may  agree  to  the  participation  of  any  other 
country  subject  to  the  criteria  set  out  in  Article  2(e)  and  provided  that  such  participation  is 
foreseen  by  the  relevant  international  agreement.  They  shall  define  the  conditions  under 
which legal entities established and individuals resident in such country shall be eligible for 
EMRP funding. 

EN 

17 

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Article 13 
Annual reporting and evaluation 

The  annual  report  on  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  presented  to  the  European 
Parliament and the Council pursuant to Article 173 of the Treaty shall include a report of the 
activities of the EMRP. 

An interim evaluation of the EMRP shall be carried out by the Commission three years after 
the start of the EMRP. This evaluation shall cover progress towards the objectives set out in 
Annex I, as well as recommendations of the EMRP on the most appropriate ways to further 
enhance integration and the quality and efficiency of the implementation, including scientific, 
management and financial integration and whether the level of the financial contributions of 
the participating States is appropriate, given the potential demand from their various national 
research communities. 

The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, accompanied by its observations 
and, where appropriate, proposals to amend this decision, to the European Parliament and the 
Council. 

At  the  end  of  this  Community  participation  in  the  EMRP  but  no  later  than  in  2017,  the 
Commission shall conduct a final evaluation of the EMRP. The results of the final evaluation 
shall be presented to the European Parliament and the Council. 

Article 14 
Entry into force 

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

Article 15  

This decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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18 

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ANNEX I  
Description of the Objectives and Activities of the European Metrology Research 
Programme (EMRP) 

I. 

OBJECTIVES  

In  today's  global  economy,  metrology  makes  a  significant  contribution  to  technological  and 
economic development of many nations in the world. Metrology research is needed to solve 
societal  problems,  and  examples  affect  areas  such  as  space  including  satellite  navigation, 
security,  healthcare,  semiconductor  industry  and  climate  change.  Metrology  research  has  a 
strong public-good character and is a main supporting activity for government regulation and 
standardisation. Metrology is hidden from public view yet it is essential for the facilitation of 
modern  trade  and  communications.  Access  to  markets  can  be  hampered  by  lack  of  uniform 
and accurate weights and measures. All major economic powers in the world have recognized 
that  technology  R&D  in  metrology  is  critical  to  an  advanced  nation’s  long  term  economic 
growth.  

Metrology research has traditionally been a high national priority in many countries. However 
European  countries  are  operating  their  national  metrology  research  programmes  in  full 
isolation  and  EU  Member  states  have  been  unable  to  create  on  their  own  a  single  and  truly 
integrated European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP). National Metrology Institutes 
(NMI),  supported  by  Designated  Institutes  (DI)  are  in  charge  of  implementing  the  national 
metrology research programmes on the basis of institutional funding from central government 
agencies  or  ministries.  The  European  metrology  research  community  is  a  specialised 
community only loosely linked to research organisations or academia. It is largely fragmented 
comprising a few centres of global excellence which would benefit from wide competition on 
an international scale. Duplication of research clearly exists. 

The  right  for  the  Community  to  act  in  this  field  is  set  out  in  several  articles  of  the  Treaty 
providing  for  research  coordination  and  cooperation  between  Member  States  and  the 
Community.  Article  165  stipulates  that  "the  Community  and  the  Member  States  shall 
coordinate  their  research  and  technological  development  activities  so  as  to  ensure  that 
national  policies  and  Community  policy  are  mutually  consistent".  Obviously  Article  169 
invites  the  Community  to  make  provision  for  participation  in  research  and  development 
programmes undertaken by several Member States. Community action seems highly justified, 
as Member States are unlikely to be able to address these problems acting alone.  

The EMRP will integrate national programmes of twenty-two participating States into a single 
joint research programme and support, in particular, the objectives of the European National 
Measurement  Systems.  The  EMRP  will  accelerate  the  development,  validation  and 
exploitation  of  new  measuring  techniques,  standards,  processes,  instruments,  reference 
materials  and  knowledge  aimed  at  driving  innovative  developments  in  industry  and 
commerce,  improving  the  quality  of  data  for  science,  industry  and  policymaking  and 
supporting the development and implementation of directives and regulations.  

The EMRP will achieve these objectives in the following way: 

a) 

Pooling excellence in metrology research - by creating competitive joint research 
projects  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  "EMRP  projects")  marshalling  capability  of 

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19 

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sufficient  critical  mass  from  the  networks  of  NMI  and  DI  from  the  participating 
States to tackle major metrology challenges faced at European level; 

b) 

c) 

Openness of the system to best science - by increasing participation from the wider 
European researcher community through researcher grants; 

Capacity  building  -  by  increasing  the  capability  of  the  European  metrology 
researcher community through researcher mobility grants targeting those EURAMET 
Member Countries with limited metrology research capability. 

The  EMRP  shall  complement  ongoing  national  programmes  and  activities  aimed  at 
addressing purely national priorities.  

The EMRP initiative is aimed at aligning and integrating relevant national metrology research 
activities  to  establish  a  joint  research  programme  featuring  scientific,  management  and 
financial  integration,  making  a  major  contribution  to  the  European  Research  Area  and 
underpinning  the  concepts  in  the  Lisbon  agenda  of  Europe  as  "the  most  competitive  and 
dynamic knowledge-driven economy". Scientific integration is achieved through the common 
definition  and  implementation  of  activities  under  the  EMRP.  Management  integration  is 
achieved via the use of EURAMET e.V. as the dedicated implementation structure subject to 
detailed arrangements contained in Annex II. 

Financial integration implies that the participating States effectively commit to contribute to 
the  financing  of  the  EMRP  by  providing  national  funding  to  all  eligible  participants  in 
selected EMRP projects from the national earmarked EMRP budgets, if necessary drawing on 
the reserve funding capability amounting to 50 % of such budgets, and by providing a “cash” 
contribution to a common pot to fund researcher excellence and mobility grants, besides fully 
funding the running costs of the EMRP. A further element of financial integration shall be the 
unified  approach  towards  eligible  costs,  inspired  by  the  rules  of  the  Seventh  Framework 
Programme. 

II. 

ACTIVITIES  

The main activity of the EMRP shall consist of joint research and technological development 
activities of four types: 

A. 

B. 

B1. 

The  core  activity  shall  consist  in  multi-partner  trans-national  EMRP  projects 
training  and  dissemination 
addressing  research, 
activities.  In  view  of  the  concentrated  capacities  in  metrology,  the  core  part  of  the 
EMRP projects shall be executed by NMI and DI from participating States. 

technological  development, 

In  order  to  increase  and  diversify  the  capacities  in  metrology,  three  grant  schemes 
shall be set up: 

In  order  to  enlarge  the  number  of  organisations  with  capacities  closely  related  to 
metrology,  researcher  excellence  grants  shall  be  made  available  to  organisations 
and/or  individuals  from  the  wider  researcher  community  in  the  Member  States  and 
countries  associated 
the  Seventh  Framework  Programme.  Each  selected 
organisation and/or individual shall be associated to an EMRP project. 

to 

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B2. 

B3. 

In  order  to  develop  the  capacities  of  individuals  in  metrology  through  mobility, 
researcher mobility grants shall be made available to (1) researchers from NMI and 
DI  of  participating  States,  (2)  researchers  benefiting,  either  individually  or  through 
their  organisation,  from  a  researcher  excellence  grant  and  (3)  researchers  from 
EURAMET Member Countries not participating in the EMRP, which currently have 
limited  or  no  metrology  research  capability.  These  researcher  mobility  grants  shall 
enable  the  researchers  to  stay  either  in  an  NMI  or  DI  participating  in  an  EMRP 
project or in an organisation benefiting from a researcher excellence grant. 

In  order  to  ensure  sustainability  in  the  cooperation  between  NMI  and  DI  of  the 
participating  States  and  to  prepare  the  next  generation  of  experienced  metrology 
researchers,  early-stage  researcher  mobility  grants  shall  be  made  available  to 
early-stage researchers from the NMI and DI of participating States to enable them to 
stay either in an NMI or DI, in an organisation benefiting from a research excellence 
grant or in another organisation participating in an EMRP research project at its own 
costs.  

These activities shall be enhanced, where appropriate by collaboration with other relevant and 
interested organisations, within or beyond Europe, participating on a self funding basis. 

In  addition  wider  networking  activities  shall  be  supported  to  a  limited  extent  in  order  to 
promote  the  EMRP  and  enhance  its  impact.  These  activities  shall  include,  if  necessary, 
maintenance  and  updating  of  the  identified  EMRP  research  areas  via  activities  such  as 
workshops, contacts with other appropriate stakeholder in Europe and beyond.  

III. 

IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVITIES 

The  selection  of  EMRP  projects  and  the  award  of  researcher  excellence  and  researcher 
mobility grants shall be subject to periodic calls for proposals. As an indicative calendar, it is 
foreseen to launch calls for proposals at 12 to 18-month intervals over a period of maximum 
seven  years.  The  award  of  early-stage  researcher  mobility  grants  shall  be  subject  to  a 
permanent call. 

A. 

a) 

EMRP projects 

Call for potential research topics of EMRP projects (Stage 1): 

Each call for proposals of EMRP projects shall be preceded by the identification of the topics 
of  that  call  following  the  steps  below.  Firstly,  the  EMRP  Committee  (see  Annex  II),  in 
consultation  with  the  Commission,  shall  identify  the  parts  of  the  EMRP  which  shall  be  the 
subject  of  the  call  for  proposals.  Secondly,  the  researcher  community  –  any  interested 
individual or organisation – shall be invited to suggest potential research topics for that call. 
Thirdly, the EMRP Committee shall agree on the best potential research topics received. The 
EMRP Committee may amend, split or merge received topics and introduce new ones in order 
to optimise the call for proposals in Stage 2. The EMRP Committee shall ensure that the final 
research  topics  cannot  be  traced  back  to  initial  proposers  of  these  ideas  and  are  thus 
anonymous. 

b) 

Call for proposals for EMRP projects (Stage 2): 

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Once  the  research  topics  have  been  selected,  EURAMET  e.V.  shall  publish  the  call  for 
proposals  and  shall  invite  research  teams  from  NMI  and  DI  of  participating  States  to  build 
consortia and submit project proposals. 

The call for proposals shall remain open for at least two months. 

EURAMET  e.V.  shall  evaluate  each  proposal  received  with  the  assistance  of  at  least  three 
independent  experts  appointed  by  it  on  the  basis  of  the  criteria  set  out  in  the  Rules  for 
Participation in the Seventh Framework Programme. The experts shall establish a ranking list 
which shall be binding for the allocation of Community funding and national funding. 

The following core evaluation criteria shall apply for the EMRP projects: 

- 

- 

- 

- 

scientific and/or technological excellence; 

relevance to the objectives of the EMRP; 

the  potential  impact  through  the  development,  dissemination  and  use  of  project 
results; 

the quality and efficiency of the implementation and management. 

The call for proposals shall concretise the core evaluation criteria. Additional criteria may be 
introduced  on  condition  that  they  are  published  in  the  call  for  proposals,  are  non-
discriminatory and do not prevail over the core evaluation criteria. 

Any consortium submitting a proposal for an EMRP project may include any other European 
or  non-European  entity  not  eligible  for  funding  provided  that  this  entity  can  realistically 
ensure that it disposes of the resources needed for its participation.  

A consortium submitting a proposal for an EMRP project may include already at this stage in 
their  proposal  a  proposal  for  researcher  excellence  grant  provided  that  it  adds  a  necessary 
scientific  value  to  the  project.  In  this  case, the  evaluation  of  the  proposal  for  the  researcher 
excellence grant shall be part of the global project evaluation. The selection of the project for 
funding shall automatically mean the award of such grant. 

The  Research  Council  of  EURAMET  e.V.  shall  issue  its  independent  view  on  the  overall 
results of the evaluation of a call for proposals for EMRP projects (Stages 1 and 2), but not on 
individual EMRP projects. This view shall be duly taken into account by EURAMET e.V. in 
following calls for proposals.  

B. 

Call  for  proposals  for  researcher  excellence  grants  and  researcher  mobility 
grants (Stage 3) 

The publication of the list of selected proposals of EMRP projects shall be accompanied by a 
call  to  the  wider  researcher  community  to  join  EMRP  projects  via  researcher  excellence 
and/or researcher mobility grants.  

Each EMRP project consortium shall be invited (unless it has already introduced a proposal 
for  researcher  and  excellence  grants  when  submitting  a  proposal  for  an  EMRP  project  as 
described in the seventh paragraph of preceding section A.b)) to launch, within three months 
after  the  EMRP  project  contract entered  into  force,  a  call  for  proposals  to  identify  potential 

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beneficiaries  and  propose  to  EURAMET  e.V.  to  award  them  a  researcher  excellence  or  a 
researcher  mobility  grant.  The  indicative  funding  breakdown  of  the  EMRP  is  calculated  so 
that  on  average  each  EMRP  project  could  be  associated  with  at  least  one  researcher 
excellence and/or researcher mobility grant. However, this is not a binding obligation and this 
type of grants shall be implemented in the most flexible manner. 

The EMRP project consortium shall publish the call for proposals at least in one international 
journal  and  in  three  different  national  newspapers  in  three  different  participating  States.  It 
shall  also  be  responsible  for  advertising  the  call  widely  using  specific  information  support, 
particularly  Internet  sites  on  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme,  the  specialised  press  and 
brochures  and  through  the  national  contact  points  set  up  by  Member  States  and  countries 
associated to the Seventh Framework Programme. In addition, the publication and advertising 
of the call for proposals shall conform to any instructions and guidance notes established by 
EURAMET e.V.. The consortium shall inform EURAMET e.V. of the call and its content at 
least  30  days  prior  to  its  expected  date  of  publication.  EURAMET  e.V.  shall  examine  the 
conformity of the call with relevant rules, instructions and guidance notes. 

The call for proposals shall remain open for at least five weeks. 

The EMRP project consortium shall evaluate the proposals received with the assistance of at 
least two independent experts appointed by it on the basis of the Rules for Participation in the 
Seventh Framework Programme. 

The following core evaluation criteria shall apply to the evaluation of the proposals: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

scientific and/or technological excellence; 

relevance to the objectives of the EMRP project; 

quality and implementation capacity of the applicant and his/her potential for further 
progress; 

quality of the proposed activity in scientific training and/or transfer of knowledge. 

The call for proposals shall concretise the core evaluation criteria. Additional criteria may be 
introduced  on  condition  that  they  are  published  in  the  call  for  proposals,  are  non-
discriminatory and do not prevail over the core evaluation criteria. 

The  EMRP  project  consortium  shall  propose  to  EURAMET  e.V.  to  award  the  grant  to  a 
beneficiary and report to it on how the call for proposals was administered, including the way 
of publication and the names and affiliation of the experts involved in the evaluation. Within 
45 days of the receipt of this proposal, EURAMET e.V. shall either award the grant or refuse 
this if the selection was not in conformity with relevant rules, instructions and guidance notes.  

EURAMET  e.V.  shall  invite  European  countries  which  have  limited  or  no  capabilities  in 
metrology  research  to  encourage  their  research  institutes  and  universities  to  apply  for 
researcher mobility grants as one means of building up their capacities in metrology research.  

C. 

Early-stage researcher mobility grants 

EURAMET e.V. shall launch a permanently open call for proposals for early-stage researcher 
mobility grants and publish it in at least one international journal and three different national 

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newspapers in three different participating States. It shall also be responsible for advertising 
the call for proposals widely using specific information support, particularly Internet sites on 
the  Seventh  Framework  Programme,  the  specialised  press  and  brochures  and  through  the 
national  contact  points  set  up  by  Member  States  and  countries  associated  to  the  Seventh 
Framework Programme. 

The  proposals  shall  be  submitted  by  the  researcher  and  by  the  sending  and  receiving 
organisations  (NMI,  DI  or  another  organisation  participating  in  an  EMRP  project).  The 
indicative  funding  breakdown  is  calculated  so  that  on  average  each  EMRP  project  could  be 
associated  with  at  least  one  early-stage  researcher  mobility  grant.  However,  this  is  not  a 
binding obligation and this type of grants shall be implemented in the most flexible manner. 

EURAMET e.V. shall evaluate the proposals received. 

The following core evaluation criteria shall apply: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

scientific and/or technological excellence; 

relevance to the objectives of the EMRP project; 

quality and implementation capacity of the applicant and his/her potential for further 
progress; 

quality of the proposed activity in scientific training and/or transfer of knowledge. 

The call for proposals shall concretise the core evaluation criteria. Additional criteria may be 
introduced  on  condition  that  they  are  published  in  the  call  for  proposals,  are  non-
discriminatory and do not prevail over the core evaluation criteria. 

EURAMET e.V. shall aim at two cut-off dates per year at which it awards these grants by a 
simplified procedure based on the opinion of at least one independent expert per proposal. 

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D. 

Recapitulative table 

Types of funding 

Eligible Organisations  Eligible Countries 

A. EMRP project 
(consortium) 

NMI and DI 

EMRP participating 
States 

Evaluation 
Criteria 

Article 15(1)(a) of 
the Rules for 
Participation in the 
Seventh Framework 
Programme  

Article 15(1)(b) of 
the Rules for 
Participation in the 
Seventh Framework 
Programme 

Article 15(1)(b) of 
the Rules for 
Participation in the 
Seventh Framework 
Programme 

 Member States and 
countries associated to 
the Seventh Framework 
Programme 

Member States and 
countries associated to 
the Seventh Framework 
Programme 

EMRP participating 
States  

Article 15(1)(b) of 
the Rules for 
Participation in the 
Seventh Framework 
Programme 

B1. Researcher 
excellence grants 

Any organisation but 
NMI or DI 

B2. Researcher mobility 
grants  

B3. Early-stage 
researcher mobility 
grants 

From:  
(1) NMI and DI or (2) 
an organisation 
benefiting from a 
researcher excellence 
grant 
(3) researchers from 
EURAMET Member 
Countries not 
participating in the 
EMRP which currently 
have limited or no 
metrology research 
capability 
To:  
(1) NMI and DI or (2) 
an organisation 
benefiting from a 
researcher excellence 
grant 
From:  
NMI and DI 
To:  
(1) NMI and DI or (2) 
other organisations 
participating in the 
EMRP project 
(consortium) 

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IV. FUNDING MECHANISM 

A. 

Funding at Programme Level 

The EMRP shall be funded by the participating States and by the Community.  

Participating States shall define a multi-annual financing plan to participate in the EMRP and 
contribute to the funding of its activities. The national contribution may come from existing 
or  newly  created  programmes,  as  long  as  they  comply  with  the  essential  nature  of  publicly 
funded  top-level  metrology.  Each  participating  State  shall,  in  addition  to  the  core  funding 
requirement (earmarked EMRP budget), identify a reserve funding capability equal to 50 % of 
that  requirement  to  ensure  flexibility  in  the  operation  of  the  EMRP  throughout  its  life  and 
respect of the ranking list. Financing of the EMRP shall involve in particular the commitment 
to  contribute  to  the  funding  of  participants  in  selected  EMRP  projects  from  the  national 
earmarked  EMRP  budgets,  and  providing  a  “cash”  contribution  to  a  common  pot  to  fund 
researcher grants, besides fully funding the running costs of the EMRP. 

The total Community contribution to the EMRP is calculated as matching the actual financial 
contribution from the participating States (excluding running costs exceeding 16 M€ and the 
reserve  funding  capability),  with  a  ceiling  of  EUR  200  million.  As  the  running  costs  are 
included  in  the  calculation  of  the  matching  contribution,  they  have  to  be  justified  by 
EURAMET e.V.. 

No Community contribution shall be used to cover the running costs of EURAMET e.V..  

B. 

Indicative Funding Breakdown 

Grand Total: EUR 400 million (+ EUR 100 million reserve funding capability) 

Community 

participating 
States 

Total 

Activity Type 

EUR 200 million 

EUR 400 million 

EUR 200 million 

% 

EUR 
million 

% 

EUR 
million 

% 

EUR 
million 

82 % 

164 

90 % 

180 

86 % 

344 

18 % 

36 

2% 

4 

10 % 

40 

EMRP  Project  Proposals  - 
Module (Part A) 

Researcher Grant Proposals 
Module (Part B)  
funding up to 100 %  

Researcher  mobility 

B1.  Researcher 
grants 
B.2 
grants  
B.3  Early-stage 
mobility grants  

excellence 

researcher 

7.5 %  

30  

1.5 %  

1.0 % 

6 

4 

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Running Costs (Part C)17 

- 

- 

8 % 

16 

4 % 

16 

Total 

100 % 

200 

100% 

200 

100 % 

400 

C. 

Funding of EMRP Projects and Researcher Grants 

The  allocation  of  funding  from  the  earmarked  EMRP  budgets  and  from  the  Community 
contribution to EMRP projects shall follow the order of the approved evaluation ranking list. 
The financial contribution to the participants in these EMRP projects is calculated according 
to  eligible  costs  as  defined  in  the  Rules  for  Participation  in  the  Seventh  Framework 
Programme.  In  case  the  earmarked  EMRP  budget  is  exhausted  because  of  the  high  success 
rate of NMI and DI from a particular participating State, this participating State shall use the 
reserve  funding  capability  of  50  %  of  its  earmarked  EMRP  budget  allocated  to  further 
selected proposals following the ranking list. 

The  Community  contribution  to  EMRP  projects  shall  be  fixed  per  call  for  proposals  as  a 
percentage of eligible costs lower than 50 %. It shall be transferred directly from EURAMET 
e.V. to the EMRP project participants.  

National  contributions  to  EMRP  projects  shall  be  provided  using  the  respective  national 
funding mechanisms.  

Community  and  national  cash  contributions  used  to  fund  researcher  excellence  grants, 
researcher  mobility  grants  and  early-stage  researcher  mobility  grants  shall  be  transferred  to 
EURAMET e.V. and by it to the grant recipients.  

The  legality  and  regularity  of  the  underlying  transactions,  and  in  particular  the  existence  of 
the national contribution, its actual payment, the appropriate use of Community funding and 
the  eligibility  of  the  costs  claimed  shall  be  ensured  under  the  responsibility  of  EURAMET 
e.V.,  and  be  established  by  independent  financial  auditing  of  EMRP  projects  following 
principles compliant with those of the Seventh Framework Programme.  

Researcher  excellence  grants,  researcher  mobility  grants  and  early-stage  researcher  mobility 
grants  shall  be  fixed  grants  awarded  following  predefined  scales;  detailed  underlying 
expenditures shall not be subject to audit. The categories of costs covered by any such grant 
shall not be eligible as costs of an EMRP project. Only the actual full payment of the defined 
amount to the final beneficiary has to be supported by formal evidence. Payments in cash are 
not considered properly evidenced and are not eligible. EURAMET e.V. shall have the option 
of requesting matching funds from recipients which are legal entities rather than individuals.  

V. 

IPR ARRANGEMENTS 

EURAMET e.V. shall adopt the intellectual property policy of the EMRP in accordance with 
Article 2(h) of the decision. 

17 

Unlike the other figures, this amount is a binding ceiling in the calculation of the matching funds of the 
participating States.  

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ANNEX II 
Governance and Implementation of the European Metrology Research Programme 
(EMRP) 

I. 

INTRODUCTION 

The dedicated implementation structure of the EMRP shall be EURAMET e.V. EURAMET 
e.V. was established in 2007 under German law as a non-profit association. It is the European 
regional  metrology  organisation.  Membership  of  EURAMET  e.V.  is  open  to  National 
Metrology  Institutes  (NMI),  as  Members,  and  to  Designated  Institutes  (DI),  as  Associates, 
from Member States of the European Union and of the European Free Trade Association, and 
from other European States. The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements of the 
European Commission may also be an Associate. Currently, there are Members from thirty-
two countries. Twenty-two of these countries are at the same time participating States of the 
EMRP. 

II. 

GOVERNANCE OF THE EMRP WITHIN EURAMET E.V. 

The  following  bodies  and  internal  structures  of  EURAMET  e.V.  shall  assume  roles  in  the 
implementation of the EMRP: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

The  EMRP  Chair  and  his/her  deputy  are  elected  by  the  EMRP  Committee.  The 
EMRP Chair is automatically one of the two Vice-Chairpersons of EURAMET e.V. 
He/she legally represents EURAMET e.V. in the matters of the EMRP. 

The  EMRP  Committee  is  composed  of  EURAMET  Members  (i.e.  NMI)  whose 
countries  are  participating  States.  The  EMRP  Committee  is  the  decision-making 
body of the EMRP and is responsible for all matters concerning the EMRP, including 
the  decisions  on  defining  and  updating  the  programme,  on  the  planning  of  call  for 
proposals, on the budget profile, on the eligibility and selection criteria, on the pool 
of evaluators, on the approval of the ranking list of the EMRP projects to be funded, 
on the monitoring of progress of the funded EMRP projects and on the supervision of 
the adequate and orderly work of the Secretariat concerning the EMRP. The EMRP 
Committee  elects  an  EMRP  Chair  (who  is  automatically  EURAMET's  "Vice-
Chairperson (EMRP)") and a deputy. 

The  Research  Council  is  composed  of  a  balanced  contingent of high-level experts 
drawn  from  industry,  research  and  academia  and  from  international  stakeholder 
organisations. It provides independent strategic advice on the matters of the EMRP 
and reports or comments to the EMRP Committee when necessary and upon request, 
but  as  a  minimum  it  will  give  an  opinion  on  each  call  for  proposals  and  selection 
cycle. 

The  Secretariat  is  composed  of  persons  employed  by  or  seconded  to  EURAMET 
e.V.  Its  structure  and  tasks  are  governed  by  the  rules  of  procedure  of  EURAMET 
e.V. Part of the Secretariat responsible for the implementation of the EMRP is hosted 
by  the  National  Physical  Laboratory,  the  UK  Member  of  EURAMET  e.V. 
(hereinafter referred to as "the hosting Member"). 

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28 

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(5) 

The  EMRP  Programme  Manager  shall  be  a  senior  manager  and  as  an  interim 
solution he/she may be seconded from the hosting Member. The EMRP Programme 
Manager  shall  act  solely  under  the  direct  authority  of  EURAMET  e.V.  on  any 
matters  concerning  the  EMRP  and  report  to  its  bodies.  EURAMET  e.V.  shall 
establish effective procedures that ensure that no conflicts of interests exist between 
the EMRP Programme Manager and any applicants, participants or beneficiaries.  

III. 

SOLE  RESPONSIBILITIES  OF  EURAMET  E.V.  AND  SUBCONTRACTING 
OF  ADMINISTRATIVE  AND  LOGISTICAL  TASKS  TO  THE  HOSTING 
MEMBER IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EMRP 

EURAMET  e.V.  shall  be  solely  responsible  for  the  implementation  of  the  EMRP.  It  shall 
manage  the  Community  contribution  to  the  EMRP.  It  shall  further  take  responsibilities  in 
particular for: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

updating the EMRP; 

defining the calls for proposals; 

publishing the calls for proposals; 

receiving  the  proposals  for  stage  1  and  stage  2  and  proposals  for  early-stage 
researcher mobility grants; 

selecting the independent experts for the evaluation; 

receiving the independent experts' individual assessments and chairing the evaluation 
panels; 

taking final selection decisions; 

initiating  contract  negotiations  and  concluding  the  contracts  with  selected  EMRP 
project consortia and other beneficiaries; 

receiving and replying to all call complaints; 

the receipt, allocation and monitoring of the use of the Community contribution; 

executing payments to funded EMRP project participants and grant recipients;  

responding to the reporting requirements vis-à-vis the Commission18.  

Whilst  the  above  responsibilities  and  decision-making  on  the  EMRP  remain  solely  with 
EURAMET  e.V.,  certain  administrative  and  logistical  tasks  in  the  implementation  of  the 
EMRP may be subcontracted, at costs, to the hosting Member.  

18 

The monitoring of the Community contribution implies all the activities of a control and audit nature, 
ex-ante  and/or  ex-post,  considered  necessary  to  carry  out  the  executive  tasks  delegated  by  the 
Commission,  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  These  activities  shall  aim  to  gain  reasonable  assurance  on  the 
legality and regularity of the underlying transactions, and on the eligibility of the costs claimed 

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This administrative and logistical support shall consist of the following: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

providing  administration  and  logistics  for  implementing  the  procedures  of  the  calls 
for proposals, including the provision of a dedicated help line; 

providing drafting support to EURAMET e.V. for the development of guidelines and 
other documentation;  

providing the dedicated web capability; 

providing support for the contract preparation,  project  monitoring  and  follow-up  of 
EMRP projects and researcher grants;  

supporting the EMRP Committee and the EMRP Chair as required. 

In  agreement  with  the  Commission,  additional  tasks  may  be  subcontracted  to  the  hosting 
Member while EURAMET e.V. builds up its permanent Secretariat capability. 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

NAME OF THE PROPOSAL: 

Proposal  for  a  decision  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  the 
participation  by  the  Community  in  a  European  Metrology  Research  Programme 
(EMRP) undertaken by several Member States. 

2. 

ABM / ABB FRAMEWORK 

Area(s) 

Activity/Activities:  
and 
Policy 
Research  and  Technological  Development:  Seventh  Framework  Programme.  
Article 169 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. 

concerned 

associated 

3. 

BUDGET LINES 

3.1. 

Budget  lines  (operational  lines  and  related  technical  and  administrative 
assistance lines (ex- B.A lines)) including headings: 

For 2009 Contribution from DG RTD pro rata as follows: 

Denomination 

Line 

2009 (%) 

2009 (€) 

RTD 

Cooperation - Health 

RTD 

Cooperation - Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology 

RTD 

Cooperation  -  Nanosciences,  Nanotechnologies,  Materials 
and new Production Technologies 

RTD 

Cooperation - Energy RTD 

08 02 01 

08 03 01 

08 04 01 

08 05 01 

34,0% 

5.774.864 

10,2% 

1.727.778 

21,0% 

3.571.514 

7,1% 

1.200.885 

RTD 

Cooperation - Environment (including Climate Change) 

08 06 01 

10,7% 

1.822.448 

RTD 

Cooperation - Transport (including Aeronautics) RTD 

08 07 01 

17,1% 

2.902.512 

Sub-Total RTD 

100,0% 

17.000.000 

INFSO  Cooperation - ICT 

09 04 01 

Sub-Total INFSO 

TREN 

Cooperation - Energy TREN 

06 06 01 

TREN 

Cooperation - Transport (including Aeronautics) TREN 

06 06 02 

Sub-Total TREN 

ENTR 

Cooperation - Space 

ENTR 

Cooperation - Security 

02 04 01 01 

02 04 01 02 

0,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

0,0% 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

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Sub-Total ENTR 

TOTALS 

0,0% 

0 

100% 

17.000.000 

As of 2010 Contribution from all Research DGs pro rata as follows19: 

Cooperation - Health 

Denomination 

2010-
2013 
(%) 

Line 

08 02 01 

27,99% 

Cooperation - Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology 

08 03 01 

11,78% 

Cooperation  -  Nanosciences,  Nanotechnologies,  Materials  and  new  Production 
Technologies 

Cooperation - Energy RTD 

08 04 01 

08 05 01 

19,85% 

5,69% 

Cooperation - Environment (including Climate Change) 

08 06 01 

10,90% 

Cooperation - Transport (including Aeronautics) RTD 

Sub-Total RTD 

Cooperation - ICT 

Sub-Total INFSO 

Cooperation - Energy TREN 

Cooperation - Transport (including Aeronautics) TREN 

Sub-Total TREN 

Cooperation - Space 

Cooperation - Security 

Sub-Total ENTR 

TOTALS 

11,14% 

87,35% 

5,60% 

5,60% 

08 07 01 

09 04 01 

06 06 01 

06 06 02 

02 04 01 01 

02 04 01 02 

3,57% 

3,48% 

7,05% 

100,00% 

RTD 

RTD 

RTD 

RTD 

RTD 

RTD 

INFSO 

TREN 

TREN 

ENTR 

ENTR 

Line 

2010-2013 
(%) 

2010 (€) 

2011 (€) 

2012 (€) 

2013 (€) 

Totals (€) 
2010-2013 

RTD 

08 02 01 

27,99% 

13.960.465 

9.883.706 

13.087.936 

13.087.936 

50.020.042 

RTD 

08 03 01 

11,78% 

5.877.508 

4.161.148 

5.510.164 

5.510.164 

21.058.984 

RTD 

RTD 

08 04 01 

08 05 01 

19,85% 

5,69% 

9.899.379 

7.008.545 

9.280.668 

9.280.668 

35.469.260 

2.838.079 

2.009.298 

2.660.699 

2.660.699 

10.168.774 

RTD 

08 06 01 

10,90% 

5.435.692 

3.848.352 

5.095.961 

5.095.961 

19.475.967 

RTD 

08 07 01 

TOTAL 

INFSO 

09 04 01 

TREN 

TOTAL 

06 06 01 

11,14% 

87,35% 

5,60% 

5,60% 

5.557.738 

3.934.758 

5.210.379 

5.210.379 

19.913.254 

43.568.860 

30.845.807 

40.845.807 

40.845.807 

156.106.280 

10.000.000 

10.000.000 

10.000.000 

10.000.000 

19 

It is suggested to create a single budget line for this initiative as of 2010  

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32 

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TREN 

ENTR 

ENTR 

06 06 02 

TOTAL 

02 04 01 01 

02 04 01 02 

TOTAL 

TOTAL ( excl. EFTA) 

TOTAL ( incl. EFTA) 

3,57% 

3,48% 

7,05% 
100% 

1.673.498 

1.568.904 

1.568.904 

1.568.904 

6.380.210 

1.632.642 

1.530.602 

1.530.602 

1.530.602 

6.224.448 

3.306.140 
46.875.000
48.000.000

3.099.506 
43.945.313
45.000.000

3.099.506 
43.945.313
45.000.000

3.099.506 

12.604.658 
43.945.313  178.710.938 
45.000.000  183.000.000 

3.2. 

Duration of the action and of the financial impact: 

The  Community  contribution  to  the  EMRP  Joint  Programme  is  expected  to  be 
established through co-decision by Council and Parliament in May 2009 for an initial 
period  up  to  31  December  2016.  Its  financial  impact  on  the  EU  budget  will  cease 
after 2017. 

3.3. 

Budgetary characteristics: 

Multi-Line commitments new line as of 2010 suggested 

Budget line 

Type of expenditure  New 

EFTA 
contribution 

Contributions from 
applicant countries 

Heading in financial 
perspective 

See above 

Non-comp  Diff20  YES YES 

YES 

N° [1A] 

20 

Differentiated appropriation 

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4. 

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES 

4.1. 

Financial Resources 

All figures in this statement are indicative and presented in constant values. 

4.1.1. 

Summary of commitment appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA) 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Expenditure type 

Section 
no. 

Year 
2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 
and 
later 

Total 

Operational expenditure 

Commitment Appropriations 
(CA) 

8.1. 

Payment 
(PA) 

Appropriations 

a 

b 

17 

48 

45 

45 

45 

200 

0 

6 

21.5 

36.5 

136 

200 

Administrative expenditure within reference amount21 

Technical  &  administrative 
assistance (NDA) 

8.2.4. 

c 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

TOTAL REFERENCE AMOUNT 

Commitment 
Appropriations 

17 

48 

45 

45 

45 

200 

a+c

Payment Appropriations 

b+c

0 

6 

21.5 

36.5 

136 

200 

Administrative expenditure not included in reference amount22 

Human 
associated 
(NDA) 

resources 

and 
expenditure 

8.2.5. 

d 

0,117 

0,176 

0,176 

0,176 

0,704 

1,349 

Administrative  costs,  other 
than  human  resources  and 
associated 
not 
included 
reference 
in 
amount (NDA) 

costs, 

8.2.6. 

e 

0,007 

0,014 

0,014 

0,044 

0,106 

0,185 

Total indicative financial cost of intervention 

TOTAL CA including cost 
of Human Resources 

a+c
+d
+e 

17,124 

48,190 

45,190 

45,220 

45,810 

201,534 

21 

22 

These are the support expenditures for running costs of the DIS of the EMRP. This amount will not be 
taken  into  account  under  the  ceiling  of  administrative  expenditures  of  the  Seventh  Framework 
Programme (16 EUR million). 
The reference amount is the Community contribution to the EMRP. 

EN 

34 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
TOTAL  PA  including  cost 
of Human Resources 

b+c
+d
+e 

0,124 

6,190 

21,690 

36,720 

136,810  201,534 

Co-financing details 

(i) Programme level 

A Community contribution up to EUR 200 million shall be provided, subject to an 
investment  of  at  least  EUR  200  million  by  the  participating  States  for  the  period 
2009-2016  through  their  national  programmes..  The  running  costs  of  the  dedicated 
implementation  structure  (DIS)  have  a  fixed  ceiling  of  EUR  16  million  (4%  of  the 
total  cost)  and  are  provided  in  cash  contribution  by  the  EURAMET  e.V.  members 
participating in EMRP. (ii) Project level 

The  allocation  of  funding  from  the  national  earmarked  budgets  and  from  the 
Community  contribution  to  selected  EMRP  projects  shall  follow  the  order  of  the 
ranking list.  

Finally, the EURAMET e.V. members participating in EMRP shall co-finance these 
projects, in accordance with the agreement to be concluded between the DIS and the 
national programmes of the participating States.  

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Year 
2009 

17 

17 

2010 

2011 

2012 

48 

48 

45 

45 

45 

45 

2013 
and 
later 

45 

45 

Total 

200 

200 

0,124 

0,190 

0,190 

0,220 

0,810 

1,534 

34,124 

96,190 

90,190 

90,220 

90,810 

401,534 

Co-financing body 

Participating Member States 

Community contribution 

Administrative expenditure 

TOTAL  CA  including  co-
financing 

f 

a+c

d+e

a+c
+d
+e
+f 

4.1.2.  Compatibility with Financial Programming 

(cid:59) 

(cid:133) 

Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming. 

Proposal  will  entail  reprogramming  of  the  relevant  heading  in  the  financial 
perspective. 

EN 

35 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(cid:133) 

Proposal  may  require  application  of  the  provisions  of  the  Interinstitutional 
Agreement23 (i.e. flexibility instrument or revision of the financial perspective). 

4.1.3.  Financial impact on Revenue 

(cid:59) 

(cid:133) 

Proposal has no financial implications on revenue 

Proposal has financial impact – the effect on revenue is as follows: 

Budget line 

Revenue 

EUR million (to one decimal place) 

Situation following action 

[Yea
r n] 

[n+1] [n+2]  [n+3

] 

[n+4] [n+5]
24 

Prior to
action 
[Year 
n-1] 

a) Revenue in absolute terms 

b) Change in revenue 

 ∆ 

4.2. 

Human Resources FTE (including officials, temporary and external staff) – see 
detail under point 8.2.1. 

Annual requirements 

Year 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2009 

Total  number  of  human 
resources 

2013 
and 
later 

5. 

CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES 

5.1. 

Need to be met in the short or long term 

The  Community  contribution  is  needed  for  the  establishment  and  operation  of  the 
EMRP, in order to allow co-financing of the activities with the participating States. It 
will  in  particular  be  used  to  co-finance  participants  in  selected  EMRP  projects 
following calls for proposals.  

5.2. 

Value-added  of  Community  involvement  and  coherence  of  the  proposal  with 
other financial instruments and possible synergy 

Metrology  research  has  a  strong  public-good  character  and  is  a  main  supporting 
activity  for  government  regulation  and  standardisation.  European  countries  are 
operating  their  national  metrology  research  programmes  (NMRP)  in  full  isolation 

23 
24 

See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional agreement. 
Additional columns should be added if necessary i.e. if the duration of the action exceeds 6 years 

EN 

36 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
and  Member  States  have  been  unable  to  create  on  their  own  a  single  and  truly 
integrated EMRP.  

5.3. 

Objectives, expected results and related indicators of the proposal in the context 
of the ABM framework 

The  EMRP  will  integrate  national  programmes  of  twenty-two  participating  States 
into  a  single  joint  research  programme  and  support,  in  particular,  the  objectives  of 
the  European  National  Measurement  Systems.  The  EMRP  will  accelerate  the 
development,  validation  and  exploitation  of  new  measuring  techniques  and  support 
the development and implementation of directives and regulations. 

5.4.  Method of Implementation (indicative) 

(cid:59)  Centralised Management 

(cid:133) 

(cid:59) 

directly by the Commission 

indirectly by delegation to: 

(cid:133) 

executive Agencies 

(cid:133) 

(cid:59) 

bodies set up by the Communities as referred to in art. 185 of the 
Financial Regulation 

national  or  international  public-sector  bodies/bodies  governed  by 
private  law  with  a  public  service  mission  and  guaranteed  by  the 
Member States, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. 

EN 

37 

   EN 

 
6. 

MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

6.1.  Monitoring system 

Once established, the EMRP will be monitored through annual reports which will be 
provided by the DIS. 

6.2. 

Evaluation 

6.2.1.  Ex-ante evaluation 

The  proposed  initiative  has  been  addressed  in  an  Impact  Assessment  including  as 
part an ex-ante evaluation (as attached to the dossier). 

6.2.2.  Measures taken following an intermediate/ex-post evaluation (lessons  learned from 

similar experiences in the past) 

The proposed governance model has been established based on the experience gained 
from  the  first  Article  169  initiative  undertaken  during  the  Sixth  Framework 
Programme, namely the EDCTP. 

6.2.3.  Terms and frequency of future evaluation 

An interim and final evaluation of the EMRP will be carried out by the Commission 
and will cover the quality and efficiency of the implementation, including scientific, 
management  and  financial  integration  of  the  EMRP  and  progress  towards  the 
objectives set out in Annex I of this Proposal. 

7. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES  

Article 7 of the Decision establishing the EMRP states that in implementing the Joint 
Programme,  the  participating  States  shall  take  the  legislative  regulatory  and 
administrative or other measures necessary for protecting the Communities' financial 
interests. In particular, the participating States shall provide adequate guarantees as 
regards full recovery from the DIS of any amounts due to the Community. 

Article 8 of the Decision establishing the EMRP states that the Commission and the 
Court of Auditors may, through their officials or agents, carry out all the checks and 
inspections  needed  to  ensure  proper  management  of  the  Community  funds  and 
protect the financial interests of the Community against any fraud or irregularity. To 
this  end,  the  participating  States  and/or  the  DIS  shall,  in  due  course,  make  all 
relevant documents available to the Commission and the Court of Auditors. 

Further  anti-fraud  measures  will  be  implemented  as  part  of  the  detailed  agreement 
between the Commission and the DIS. 

EN 

38 

   EN 

 
8. 

DETAILS OF RESOURCES 

8.1. 

Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost 

(Headings of Objectives, actions and outputs should be 
provided) 

Type of 
output 

Av. 
cost 

Year 2009 

Year 2010 

Year 2011 

Year 2012 

Year 2013 and 
later 

TOTAL 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost  

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

OPERATIONAL  OBJECTIVE  No.1  25Establishment  and 
operation of the EMRP Joint Programme 

Action 1 

Sub-total Objective 1 

TOTAL COST 

- Output (*),(**)  R&D 

Projects 

0 

0 

0 

17 

17 

17 

6 

6 

6 

48 

48 

48 

22 

22 

22 

45 

45 

45 

36 

36 

36 

45 

45 

45 

116 

116 

116 

45 

45 

45 

180 

200 

180 

180 

200 

200 

(*)The administrative costs of the DIS, within a ceiling of EUR 16 million, will be covered by the participating States without any Community 
contribution. 

(**) An average cost of EUR 2 million is assumed for each EMRP project; with a variation between EUR 1 to 5 million. In addition to each EMRP 
project a researcher excellence grant and/or researcher mobility grant might be associated. The overall programme budget of EUR 400 million is 
estimated to fund 180 projects and associated grants. 

25 

As described under Section 5.3 

EN 

39 

EN 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
8.2. 

Administrative Expenditure 

8.2.1.  Number and type of human resources26 

Types of post 

Staff to be assigned to management of the action using existing and/or 
additional resources (number of posts/FTEs) 

Year 2007  Year 2008  Year 2009  Year 2010  Year 2011  Year 2012 

Officials or 
temporary 
staff27 (XX 01 
01) 

A*/AD 

B*, 
C*/AST 

Staff  financed28  by  art. 
XX 01 02 

Other  staff29  financed by 
art. XX 01 04/05 

TOTAL 

8.2.2.  Description of tasks deriving from the action 

8.2.3. 

Sources of human resources (statutory) 

(cid:133) 

(cid:133) 

(cid:133) 

(cid:133) 

(cid:133) 

Posts currently allocated to the management of the programme to be replaced 
or extended 

Posts pre-allocated within the APS/PDB exercise for year n 

Posts to be requested in the next APS/PDB procedure 

Posts  to  be  redeployed  using  existing  resources  within  the  managing  service 
(internal redeployment) 

Posts required for year n although not foreseen in the APS/PDB exercise of the 
year in question 

26 
27 
28 
29 

There are no Commission officials that will work for the EMRP in the DIS. 
Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount. 
Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount. 
Cost of which is included within the reference amount. 

EN 

40 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
8.2.4.  Other  Administrative  expenditure  included  in  reference  amount  (XX  01  04/05  – 

Expenditure on administrative management) 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Year 
2009 

Year 
2010 

Year 
2011 

Year 
2012 

Year 
2013  

and 
later 

TOTAL 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Technical 

1 
and 
assistance (including related staff costs) 

administrative 

Executive agencies30 

Other 

technical 

and 

administrative 

assistance 

- intra muros  

- extra muros 

Total  Technical  and  administrative 
assistance 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

A total maximum amount of EUR 16 million (4% of the total cost) has been fixed for 
the running costs of the DIS and will be covered solely by the participating States. 

Calculation– Estimated costs of the dedicated implementation structure 

Estimation  of  the  costs  is  based  on  estimates  provided  by  EURAMET  e.V.  following 
experiences  in  iMERA,  ERA-NET  and  iMERA  Plus.  The  total  cost  include  for  the  period 
2010-2016: 

- EMRP management: programme manager and secretarial/office support  

- Dissemination and Communication cost: events, material, press and print, website 

- IT support, maintenance and licences  

- Travel  

- Proposal evaluation with independent experts: Expert fees and travel  

30 

Reference should be made to the specific legislative financial statement for the Executive Agency(ies) 
concerned. 

EN 

41 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
8.2.5.  Financial cost of human resources and associated costs not included in the reference 

amount 

Information  related  to  human  resources  and  administrative  expenditures  not  included  in  the 
reference amount must be considered as internal re-deployment inside the envelopes of FP7 
administrative appropriations. 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Type of human resources 

Year 
2009 

Year 
2010 

Year 
2011 

Year 
2012 

Year 
2013 
and 
later 

Officials and temporary staff  

Budget line XXXXXX 

Staff  financed  by  Art  XXXXX  (auxiliary,  END, 
contract staff, etc.) 

(specify budget line) 

0,117 

0,176 

0,176 

0,176 

0.704 

Total cost of Human Resources and associated costs 
(NOT in reference amount) 

0,117 

0,176 

0,176 

0,176 

0.704 

Calculation– Officials and Temporary agents 

An average cost of EUR 117,000 per post FTE. In year 2009, 1 FTE is taken into account for 
the contract negotiation phase. From 2010 till 2016, 1.5 FTE is taken into account. 

Calculation– Staff financed under art. XX 01 02 

1,5 FTE/year are anticipated  for the follow-up of this initiative  by the Commission 
services  from  2010  onward.  1  FTE  is  required  for  the  contract  negotiation  phase 
which is expected to start in the second half of 2009. The main tasks will be: 

Participation  in  meetings  of  the  EMRP  committee  and  the  meetings  of  the  EMRP  Research 
Council as member, +/- 3-4 times two-day meetings/year (Director/HoU level) 

Observer in EMRP proposal evaluations, 2-3 days per years (Project Officer level) 

Participation  in  workshops  and  dissemination  events,  2-3  times  per  year  (Project  Officer 
level) 

Negotiation  and  Preparation  of  agreement  with  the  DIS  (Project  Officer  level  +  Assistant 
level) 

EN 

42 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Monitoring of implementation based on the yearly reports, and coordination of the mid-term 
and final evaluations (Project Officer level)  

Financial and legal auditing of the implementation of the EMRP (Financial Officer level) 

EN 

43 

   EN 

 
8.2.6. Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Year 
2009 

Year 
2010 

Year 
2011 

Year 
2012 

Year 
2013 

and 
later 

TOTAL 

08 01 02 11 01 – Missions 

0,007 

0,014 

0,014 

0,014 

0,056 

0,105 

08 01 02 11 02 – Meetings & Conferences 

08 01 02 11 03 – Committees31  

08 01 02 11 04 – Studies & consultations 

08 01 02 11 05 - Information systems 

2 

Total 

Other  Management 

Expenditure (08 01 02 11) 

3  Other 

expenditure 
administrative nature  

of 

an 

Independent  experts  for  mid-term  and  final 

review. 

expenditure, 
than  human  resources  and 
in 

Total  Administrative 
other 
associated  costs  (NOT 
reference amount) 

included 

0,007 

0,014 

0,014 

0,014 

0,056 

0,105 

0,030 

0,050 

0,080 

0,007 

0,014 

0,014 

0,044 

0,106 

0,185 

Information  related  to  human  resources  and  administrative  expenditures  not  included  in  the 
reference amount must be considered as internal re-deployment inside the envelopes of FP7 
administrative appropriations. 

Calculation - Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

Missions: Costs are based on EUR 700 average travel cost per mission plus EUR 149,63 of 
daily  allowance;  average  mission  duration  is  1,5  days;  number  and  nature  of  missions: 
4  missions  per  year  for  2  officials  to  attend  EMRP  meetings,  3  missions  per  year  for  one 
official to attend workshops and other events, 4 missions per year for one official to attend to 
the  EMRP  committee  meeting  (if  elsewhere  than  in  Brussels).  For  2009,  half  of  the  annual 
costs are assumed. 

External assistance: Cost estimates for external support for interim and final evaluation with 3 
external experts. Midterm review estimated at EUR 30.000 and final review at EUR 50.000 
(including expert cost, daily allowances, and travel).  

31 

Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs. 

EN 

44 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
EN 

45 

   EN