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No C 113 / 14 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 4 . 96

Call for proposals for RTD activities under the specific programme for research and techno ­
logical development, including demonstration, in the field of cooperation with third countries

and international organizations ( 1994-1998 )

( 96 / C 113 / 11 )

General 1.3 . Health

1 . Following the decision by Parliament and Council
adopting the fourth framework programme of European
Community activities in the field of research and techno ­
logical development and demonstration ( 1994-1998 ) (')
and the Council Decision on the specific programme for
research and technological development, including
demonstration, in the field of cooperation with third
countries and international organizations ( 2 ) ( INCO ),
the Commission of the European Communities is inviting
proposals for research and technological development
( RTD ) actions .

In conformity with Article 5 ( 1 ) of the Decision on the
specific programme, a work programme has been drawn
up setting out the detailed scientific and technological
objectives and types of actions to be undertaken and the
financial arrangements to be made for them .

2 . The objectives and the research, technological devel ­
opment and demonstration work covered by this call for
proposals relate to Area C described in the work

programme .

The legal entities referred to in Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the
Council Decision on the rules for participation in specific
programmes and the JRC ( 3 ) are invited to submit
proposals for RTD actions in the following areas :

Area C : Scientific and technological cooperation with
developing countries

1 . Sectors of general importance

1.1 . Sustainable management of renewable natural

resources

1.2 . Sustainable improvement of agricultural and agro ­

industrial production

(') European Parliament and Council Decision No
1110 / 94 / EC, of 26 . 4 . 1994, concerning the fourth
framework programme of the European Community
activities in the field of research, technological development
and demonstration ( 1994-1998 ) ( OJ No L 126, of 18 . 05 .

1994, p . 1 ).
( 2 ) Council Decision No 94 / 807 / EC of 23 . 11 . 1994, adopting

a specific programme of research and technological devel ­
opment, including demonstration, in the field of cooperation
with third countries and international organisations
( 1994-1998 ) ( OJ No L 334 of 22 . 12 . 1994, p . 109 ).
( 3 ) Council Decision No 94 / 763 / EC, of 21 . 11 . 1994,
concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings,
research centres and universities in research, technological
development and demonstration activities of the European
Community ( OJ No L 306 of 30 . 11 . 1994, p . 8 ).

2 . Additional sectors of mutual interest

2.1 . Information and communications technologies

3 . Proposals must arrive at the Commission before
12 . 9 . 1996 ( 12.00 ), local time . They should be prepared
in line with the instructions given in the information
package and in the requested format . The Commission
reserves the right not to accept proposals which have not
been prepared in this way .

4 . The research and technological development work will
be addressed, as a general rule, by shared-cost actions, in
conformity with the rules for implementation set out in
Annex III of the Council Decision on the aforemen ­
tioned specific programme . In addition, concerted
actions will be carried out as described in the Council

Decision and in the work programme . Proposals
submitted under sector 2.1 will also include certain

accompanying measures, such as ' keep-in-touch ' actions .
Proposals concerning technical assistance, transfers of
technology or knowhow, or demonstration, and those
lacking a dominant research component will not be
eligible .

Projects should involve at least 2 non-affiliated partners
from different Member States or from 1 Member State

and 1 Associated State including EFTA / EEA countries
and 1 or more partner(s ) from developing countries .
Strong preference will be given to projects involving 2 or
more partners from separate developing countries in the
same region ( China and India, by their geographic or
demographic dimension, can be considered as individual
regions ). Attention is drawn to the fact that industrial
partners, based in the EU or in a developing country, are
encouraged to participate in this programme .

Proposals will be selected on the basis of criteria given in
Annex II of the fourth framework programme and in
Article 4 ( 3 ) of the Council Decision on the rules for
participation in the specific programmes . These criteria
are described in the information package .

RTD actions will be addressed in contracts in

accordance with the Council Decision on the rules for

participation in specific programmes, and their results
will be disseminated on the basis of the principles given

18 . 4 . 96 | EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 113 / 15

in the Council Decision relating to rules for dissemi ­
nation of results ( 4 ).

5 . Special conditions for this call for proposals .

This call covers a limited number of the research areas

included in the work programme of INCO-DC .
Proposals not falling under the research areas listed in
this call will therefore not be eligible, even if they fall
within the general scope of the work programme of

INCO-DC . The areas selected for this call are of wide ­

spread importance and are, in principle, applicable to all
developing countries . However, with the aim of
enhancing the focus of research proposals and concen ­
trating activities, priority topics have been identified for
the different regions ( normally groups of countries ) and
these are mentioned under each sector . Priority will be
given to proposals which involve potential coordination
with development or economic cooperation policies ( e.g .
the EU / ACP Fisheries Initiative ).

For regions where priorities have been identified,
proposals will be eligible only if they fall within 1 or
more of the mentioned regional priorities . If there is
added scientific / technical value, partners from outside
the region may be incorporated in proposals .

When a topic is mentioned as a priority in several
regions, transregional proposals on this topic may be
submitted .

Interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral
scientific approaches are often required to adequately
meet the programme's objectives . Research proposals
addressing several sectors or topics and applying interdis ­
ciplinary, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral scientific
approaches are, therefore, encouraged .

1 . Sectors of general importance

1.1 . Sustainable management of renewable natural

resources

GENERAL

Individual proposals should cover the 3 subject areas
described below ( research on policies, on basic natural
resources and on ecosystems ), individually or in various
combinations, reflecting the nature of the problem being
addressed and its regional or global scope, in line with
the thematic priorities indicated below . The marked
cross-sectoral nature of the issues targeted in this sector

( 4 ) Council Decision No 94 / 762 / EC of 21 . 11 . 1994,
concerning the rules of dissemination of the research results
from the specific programmes of research, technological
development and demonstration of the European
Community ( OJ No L 306 of 30 . 11 . 1994, p . 5 ).

is reflected in the strong preference given to proposals
which : address the development, application and
validation of the relevant interdisciplinary research
methodologies ; and / or are systems-oriented ; and incor ­
porate locally available knowledge and / or the interests
of all stakeholders .

OBJECTIVE

To promote the conservation and the sustainable use of
natural resources, compatible with long-term equitable
economic growth and enhancement of productive
capacity which is environmentally acceptable .

SPECIFIC TOPICS

1.1.1 . Policy research

Research proposals should target the nature of inter ­
actions between economic growth and the sustainable
use and management of natural resources, leading to
options on the basis of which equitable, and econ ­
omically and environmentally sound, sectoral and
general national policies could be constructed . Proposals
should address the study of relationships between
sectoral policies ( e.g . agriculture, population, health,
industry / urbanization, energy / transport / infrastructure,
education / information and communication technologies
( ICTs ), use of biological resources / intellectual property
rights ( IPRs ) and policies bearing on an enabling and
durable RTD environment ) on the one hand and the
sustainable use and management of natural resources on
the other . Specifically, research should be focused on
policy options, using modelling where appropriate and
leading to :

a ) long-term maintenance and enhancement of natural ­

resource productivity, including methodologies, to
assess and monitor ecosystem change ;

b ) sustainable land - and water-use systems in agriculture

and integrated-land-use planning for sustainable
development ( including livestock, forestry, and agro ­
forestry, fisheries and aquaculture ), in relation to the
ongoing evolution in international and regional trade
agreements and transnational developments in

resource use ;

c ) coherence and mutual reinforcement between
economic, energy and environment and RTD
policies ;

d ) sustainable and equitable urban settlements, especially

in relation to mega-cities ( i.e . multi-million inhab ­
itants ' cities ), including the related transport,
industrial, communications and human / institutional
capital formation .

No C 113 / 16 HEN ! Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 4 . 96

1.1.2 . Basic natural resources the impact of human activities on forest biodiversity
( fauna and flora ),

Research on soils, water and biotic resources should
target policy and resource management aspects of the
sustainability of agricultural and ecological land-use
practices . This could include the analysis of cross ­
sectoral relations in the sustainable use and management
of these resources . Proposals should specifically address :

a ) research ( including methodological development ) on

soil, water and biotic resource interactions in :

— rural and peri-urban farming systems aiming at

improving agricultural productivity,

— ecosystems being converted to agricultural use,

e.g . tropical forests, drylands and mountain areas,

— degraded ecosystems where attempts to convert

natural ecosystems to sustainable use have not
been successful ;

b ) the sustainable ' water chain ' policy, management
approaches and technologies to :

— increase resource supply and quality ( through
improved collection and storage and more
efficient transport and distribution ) and improve
its efficient use, including water-market issues,

— manage intersectoral competition in order to
increase total resource productivity and minimize
pollution .

1.1.3 . Research on ecosystems

Proposals should address 1 or more of the following
issues, in relation to the particular ecosystem(s )
concerned : managed systems for conservation of
ecosystems, enhanced productivity, including main ­
tenance of adequate levels of biodiversity under various
levels of ecosystem conversion, assessment of the
resilience of natural ecosystems to human pressure, insti ­
tutional and societal approaches to ecosystem
management, including the enabling role of general,
sectoral and intersectoral policies, and structural and
dynamic properties of ecosystems ( using modelling
where appropriate ), with a view to applying this
knowledge in management plans . The following aspects
should be addressed in relation to each of the ecosystems
below :

forests : management systems, including simple and
reliable control and monitoring methods, for enhancing
the generation of income from sustainably managed and
largely undisturbed forests, targeting, for example, low
impact harvesting and extractivism, non-wood products
and their contribution to income generation,

the impact of international or multilateral policies on
forest resource management in developing countries and
vice versa ;

coastal policies and management systems aiming at
increasing the long-term zones : aggregate productivity
resulting from the multi-sectoral and often competing
uses of these ecosystems and its basic natural resources
under severe pressure from accelerating urbanization and
industrialization ;

wetlands : as for coastal zones, but with additional
concern for the environmental fragility of these
ecosystems and the impact of the ongoing expansion of
land under cropping .

drylands : zones with a high risk of desertification and
specifically :

— interactions between biophysical and socio-economic

and cultural factors in order to promote sustainable
management systems of fragile areas, and / or

— the potential for enhanced productivity through
diversification in the use of these ecosystems ;

oceans : policies and management systems leading to the
sustainable exploitation of biotic marine resources
through fishing and aquaculture, taking into
consideration the social, economic and ecological inter ­
actions with coastal ecosystems ;

mountain areas, highlands and islands : policies and
participatory management systems needed to enhance
labour and land productivity and family incomes and to
prevent environmental degradation and undesirable
migration .

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

Mediterranean

1.1.1 . Policy research

Impact of sectoral policies ( see 1.1.1 Specific topics )
executed on local, country, regional and international
levels on the practical management of natural resources
in non-EU Mediterranean countries and the eventual

feedback of the state of these resources on those sectoral

policies . Only coastal areas ( in particular )-, forests and
drylands are to be addressed ; research relating to the
open sea or to mountain areas and highlands which are
neither drylands nor forests is excluded .

18 . 4 . 96 | EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 113 / 17

1.1.2 . Basic natural resources peration of degraded ecosystems . Research on the
environmental impact, on a watershed basis, of water
pollutants associated with the processing of agricultural

with Interaction the state of human of the migration basic natural and resources land-use dynamics soil and products ( e.g . coffee, wood, etc .), the use of agro ­

chemicals or mineral extraction and the design of

water . Soil and water management for prevention and / or

policies to prevent water wastage and contamination by

remediation of negative developments and for improving these .

Interaction of human migration and land-use dynamics
with the state of the basic natural resources soil and

water . Soil and water management for prevention and / or
remediation of negative developments and for improving
the situation ( improved water supply in terms of quantity
and quality, higher soil fertility, less erosion ). Only
coastal areas ( in particular ), forests and drylands are to
be addressed ; research on mountain areas and highlands
( which are neither drylands nor forests ) is excluded .

1.1.3 . Ecosystems

Research should focus on the structural and functional
characteristics of ecosystems with a view to developing
management systems which are economically and
ecologically sustainable and socially acceptable . Projects
integrating ecosystem research with policy research
aspects and / or questions related to the basic natural
resources soil and water will be preferred . For each
ecosystem exclusive priorities are given :

coastal areas : monitoring, prevention and remediation of
pollution of coastal marine ecosystems . Management of
coastal areas for sustainable ( economically and
ecologically ) use ;

forests : assessment of the non-tangible benefits of Medi ­
terranean forests . Sustainable management of existing
forests taking due account of these benefits while maxi ­
mizing the income function of the managed forests
including multiple use . Afforestation ;

drylands : water resource assessment, management and

use .

Latin America

1.1.1 . Policy research

Use and conservation of biodiversity, including legal and
institutional aspects . Natural resources and environ ­
mental management directed to the interface between
natural ecosystems, ecosystems converted to agricultural
or other land uses and degraded ecosystems, in order to
devise sustainable land-use policies . Relation between
sustainable systems of land and water use, international
and regional trade agreements and transnational use of
natural resources .

1.1.2 . Basic natural resources

Research on soil, water and biotic resources, aiming at a
better understanding of ecosystem processes on which to
base the design of the conversion of natural systems, the
management of productive ones and to aid in the reçu ­

1.1.3 . Ecosystems

Forests : all areas .

Other ecosystems : sustainable management systems for
production from coastal zones ( including coastal forest
zones ), mountain areas and drylands .

Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean, Pacific

1.1.1 . Policy research

In relation to SS-Africa : sustainable land and water use

systems in agriculture, coherence and mutual rein ­
forcement between economic, energy and environment
policies and sustainable and equitable urban settlements .

1.1.2 . Basic natural resources

In relation to SS-Africa : all areas .

1.1.3 . Research on ecosystems

In relation to SS-Africa : all areas concerning forests,
coastal zones, oceans and drylands .

In relation to Caribbean and Pacific : all areas concerning
coastal zones, oceans and islands .

China

1.1.1 . Policy research

All areas ( including clean-coal issues ).

1.1.2 . Basic natural resources

The ' water-chain '.

1.1.3 . Ecosystems

Forests, coastal zones and drylands ( desertification ).

South-East Asia

1.1.1 . Policy research

All areas .

No C 113 / 18 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 4 . 96

1.1.2 . Basic natura ! resources

Soil / water / biotic interactions on converted tropical
forest land and the ' water chain '.

1.1.3 . Ecosystems

Coastal zones and oceans ( marine sciences ).

Forests ( all subjects ).

India and South Asia

1.1.1 . Policy research .

All policy research areas .

1.1.2 . Basic natural resources

Soil / water / biotic interactions in rural farming systems in
marginal rain-fed areas ( conversion of drylands, land-use
cover ) and the ' water chain '.

1.1.3 . Ecosystems

Coastal zones and drylands .

1.2 . Sustainable improvement of agricultural and agro ­

industrial production

GENERAL

Unlike the previous call which aimed exclusively at the
direct satisfaction of the need to feed people in
developing countries by qualitative and quantitative
improvement of agricultural production ( agricultural
products, livestock, forests, aquaculture and fisheries )
and agro-industrial ( transformation of biological
products ), this call aims at facilitating the access of small
and medium-sized farms and agro-industrial enterprises
in developing countries to the market .

OBJECTIVE

The sustainable improvement of agricultural and agro ­
industrial production ( including forestry, aquaculture
and fisheries ; food and non-food industries ) for income
generation, targeting exclusively activities relevant for
SMEs which are connected with 1 of the 2 types of

systems :

— peri-urban systems directed towards the supply of

perishable products to urban markets in developing
countries,

— systems whose dominant production activity is mainly

directed towards the market, the products being in
raw or locally transformed form .

SPECIFIC TOPICS

1.2.1 . Farming systems

Analysis of the interactions of the various potential land
uses ( agriculture, livestock farming, agroforestry,

forestry, aquaculture and fisheries, etc .) and of the
various activities ( production, transformation, storage,
transport, trade ). Attention should be given to integrated
approaches so that key constraints to development are
adequately addressed . Specific reference should be made

to :

a ) possibilities of integrating new technologies at the

level of the enterprise, village or community to
improve the sustainability and profitability of the
abovementioned systems ;

b ) methods for the adaptation and conversion of the

abovementioned systems in the context of change in
agricultural and trade policies and in the international

context .

1.2.2 . Economic and social sciences applied to agri ­
cultural and agro-industrial development ( including
fisheries ):

a ) economic and social aspects of the production chains

related to the products defined in the regional
priorities to improve their competitiveness ;

b ) the evolution of consumption patterns to give new

outlets to developing country SMEs ;

c ) the impact of the internationalization of markets on

developing country agro-industrial systems ( in combi ­
nation with 1.2.3c );

d ) the potential impact of the various certification
schemes ( e.g . certification of sustainably managed
forests or timber certification ) on forest management
and the forest industries in developing countries ( in
combination with 1.2.6a );

e ) the potential impact of the various certification
schemes ( Fairtrade, EU  - regulation organic agri ­
culture ) on agriculture and agro-industry in
developing countries .

1.2.3 . Transformation and use

Proposals should address foodstuffs, for man or for
livestock, and non-food products resulting from the
processing of a biological raw material . The biological
raw materials which are covered by this call are defined
in the regional priorities . General topics are :

a ) development of cleaner conservation or trans ­
formation technologies, and of harvesting, transport
and distribution systems which are environmentally
and socially acceptable and economically profitable ;

18 . 4 . 96 | EN I Official Journal of the European Communities No C 113 / 19

b ) novel products which meet better new needs in urban

and peri-urban markets in developing countries ;

c ) transformation technologies which enable local agro ­

industrial SMEs in developing countries to satisfy the
standards of international trade .

1.2.4 . Improvement of Crop Production

The crops concerned in this paragraph are defined in the
chapter which deals with regional priorities . Proposals
should also contribute to meeting the objectives of
paragraph 1.2.1 ' Farming Systems '.

a ) Plant improvement ( e.g . stress or disease resistance,

strain selection, improved product quality ) for
increased production while obtaining added value
from inputs, allowing sustainable management of the
environment and giving a better response to market
needs .

b ) Cropping system improvement ( e.g . technical
practices, fertilization, irrigation, crop protection, low
input systems ) for the intensification of crop
production in an economically sustainable and envi ­
ronmentally friendly way . Crop protection will only
be addressed by means of integrated pest

management .

1.2.5 . Improvement of animal production

a ) Livestock farming :

— animal feeding strategies for income-generating

animal production ( including milk production )
systems based on :

the possibilities offered by the peri-urban
environment,

the use of products or by-products derived from
the crops defined in the regional priorities,

only as concerted actions : management and
control of the economically most important
animal diseases in the 2 systems mentioned in the
introduction of sector 1.2 .

— quality of planting material and multiplication of

species useful for plantations and enrichment
planting in forests,

— exploitation of the host / symbiont relations in the

rhizosphere for the enhanced growth of trees in
plantations .

b ) Agroforestry :

— Individual trees or shrubs in agroforestry systems

as a source of marketable fodder, fuelwood, horti ­
cultural or construction poles, timber or other
products or uses

— The role of agroforestry in the intensification,

adaptation or conversion of farming systems ( cf .

1.2.1 ).

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

Mediterranean

Special attention should be paid to the impact of the
Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Policy, in particular the
establishment of a free trade zone before 2010 . Projects
should relate to 1 or several of the following crops,
animals and trees and / or the associated production
chains of regional importance : cotton / textile, sugar cane
and sugar beet / sugar, horticultural crops / fruits /
vegetables / flowers, olives / olive oil and olive-based food,
small ruminants / meat / milk, fish, trees / wood &
non-wood products / intangible benefits .

1.2.1 . Farming systems

Both elements ( 1 . 2 . 1 . a and 1 . 2 . 1 . b ).

1.2.2 . Social and economic sciences applied to agri ­
cultural and agro-industrial development .

All elements .

1.2.3 . Processing and use
b ) Aquaculture :

— low-input aquaculture production systems which

can contribute significantly to the generation of
incomes in coastal or peri-urban areas or from
flooded cropland ;

— only as concerted action : the biology of repro ­

duction and the prevention and treatment of
disease in aquaculture species .

All 3 elements ( 1 . 2 . 3 . a, 1 . 2 . 3 . b, 1 . 2 . 3 . c ) for

— food products : sugar, olive-based, meat, fish and
milk ;

— non-food : wood, charcoal, non-wood forest
products, cotton-based textiles, feed stuff .

1.2.6 . Silviculture 1.2.4 . Crop production

a ) Production forests :

— management systems ensuring sustainability in the

environmental, genetic and economic meaning of
the term,

Projects on plant improvement ( 1.2.4a ) have to relate to
the tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses which are
typical for the Mediterranean region . Projects on culti ­
vation systems ( 1.2.4b ) have to focus on irrigated crops .
Plant protection aspects must fall under IPM .

No C 113 / 20 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 4 . 96

1.2.5 . Animal production ( 1.2.4 ), Animal Production ( 1.2.5 ) and Silviculture ( 1.2.6 )
will concern only :

Feeding strategies ( 1 . 2 . 5a 1 ) for small ruminants .

Aquaculture ( 1.2.5b ) as element of farming systems and
as coastal activity .

1.2.6 . Silviculture

Production forests ( 1.2.6a ).

Agroforestry ( 1.2.6b ): only ( 1.2.6.bl ) i.e . individual tree
or woody shrub, its functioning and management as
element of agro-forestry systems under typical Mediter ­
ranean conditions .

a ) in peri-urban systems, the chains on :

— horticultural crops ( flowers, fruit, vegetables ),

— meat ( small livestock production such as rabbits,

poultry, pigs and small ruminants ),

— dairy farming,

— products from fisheries and aquaculture ;

b ) in the non-peri-urban systems where predominant
activity is targeted to the market, the production
chains for :

Latin America
— oilseeds ( groundnut, oilpalm, coconut ),

The topics, as defined in Production Systems ( 1.2.1 ),
Economic and Social Sciences ( 1.2.2 ), Transformation
and Use ( 1.2.3 ), Crop Production ( 1.2.4 ), Animal
Production ( 1.2.5 ) and Silviculture ( 1.2.6 ) will concern
only, for the 2 systems, as appropriate chains on :

— horticulture ( fruit, vegetables, flowers and orna ­
mentals );

— high value crops yielding products such as essential

oils, spices or medicines ;

— small-scale animal production ( ruminant,
non-ruminant, large and small );

— aquaculture species ( fish, crustaceans, molluscs,
coastal, inland );

— oil crops ( coconut, groundnut, oil palm, neglected
and unconventional oil crops );

— fibre crops ( cotton ),

— horticultural crops ( fruit, vegetables ),

— stimulating crops ( cocoa, coffee, tea ),

— rubber crops ( hevea ),

— sugar : diversification and integrated use of sugar

cane by-products and derivatives ( except alcohol ),

— meat ( small and large ruminants)meat ( small and

large ruminants ),

— forages ( including the supply to the peri-urban
systems ),

— production chains from fisheries and aquaculture,

— wood ( timber or fuelwood ),

— fibre crops ( cotton, sisal ); — market potential for chains diversification for underexploited . species with

— sugar : diversification and integrated use of sugar China
cane by-products and derivatives ( except alcohol );

— beverages ( coffee, tea, cocoa );

— forages and animal feeds, including fodder trees and

browse, by-products of crops listed, such as banana
stems, fruit waste, groundnut hay, unconventional
protein sources for livestock or aquaculture species ;

— wood ( timber or fuelwood ).

Proposals involving the developing of indigenous species
such as Andean crops or local fruits, the biotechnology
approach or integrated pest management will be
particularly welcomed .

Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean, Pacific

The topics as defined in Farming Systems ( including
fisheries ) ( 1.2.1 ), Economic and Social Sciences ( 1.2.2 ),
Transformation and Use ( 1.2.3 ), Crop Production

Topics as defined in Economic and Social Sciences
( 1.2.2 ), Transformation and Use ( 1.2.3 ) and plant
breeding in Improvement of Crop Production ( 1.2.4a )
will concern oilseeds ( soybean and rape and fruit and
vegetables ) chains . Proposals involving a biotechnology
approach will be welcomed .

Animal Production will concern only animal diseases

( 1.2.5a ) and reproductive biology and disease in aqua ­
culture ( 1.2.5b ).

Production forests ( 1.2.6 ).

South East Asia

Topics as defined in Farming Systems ( 1.2.1 ), Economic
and Social Sciences ( 1.2.2 ) and plant breeding in
Improvement of Crop Production ( 1.2.4a ) will concern
chains on oilseeds ( oil palm, coconut, soybean ), horti ­
cultural crops ( fruits and vegetables ) and rubber .

18 . 4 . 96 EN Official Journal of the European Communities No C 113 / 21

Animal Production ( livestock farming and aquaculture,

1.2.5a and 1.2.5b ).

Topics related to production forests in Silviculture
( 1.2.6a ) are also eligible .

India and South Asia

Topics related to Processing and Use ( 1.2.3 ) and plant
breeding in Improvement of Crop Production ( 1.2.4a )
will concern oilseeds ( rape and soybean ), fruit and
vegetable, and sugar and tea chains .

Topics related to Animal Production ( 1.2.5 ) and Silvi ­
culture ( 1.2.6 ) will also be eligible .

1.3 . Health

OBJECTIVES

In addition to the general objectives of the INCO-DC
programme ; to improve, through research, the health
status of people living in developing countries and to
promote equity and sustainability in the context of
health-related interventions .

SPECIFIC TOPICS

The selected research priorities are covered by the
following headings ( see work programme ).

1.3.1 . Research on health systems in the context of
health-sector reform .

1.3.2 . Research on the tools for the control of
predominant diseases : vaccines, drugs, diagnostic
products :

— vaccines : acute respiratory infections, cholera, fila ­

riasis, malaria, arboviral diseases / haemorrhagic
fevers, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted diseases
incl . AIDS, tuberculosis ;

— drugs : leishmaniasis, malaria, schistosomiasis,
sexually transmitted diseases ( 5 ), incl . AIDS ( 5 ),
trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis ( 6 );

— diagnosis : acute respiratory infections, cholera, leish ­

maniasis, malaria ( 7 ), arboviral diseases ( 7 )/ haemor ­
rhagic fevers ( 7 ), schistosomiasis ( 7 ), sexually trans ­
mitted diseases ( 7 ), incl . AIDS, tuberculosis ;

— clinical intervention studies : acute respiratory
infections, cholera, filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria,
arboviral diseases / haemorrhagic fevers,

( 5 ) Vaginal microbicides only .
(') Treatment schemes only .
( 7 ) Diagnostic tests for field use .

non-communicable diseases ( 8 ), thalassemia, schisto ­
somiasis, sexually transmitted diseases incl . AIDS,
trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis .

1.3.3 . Research on the biology of diseases and preclinical
models :

— biology and preclinical models : acute respiratory
infections, cholera, leishmaniasis, malaria, arboviral
diseases / haemorrhagic fevers, schistosomiasis,
sexually transmitted diseases, incl . AIDS, trypanoso ­
miasis, tuberculosis ;

— natural history : acute respiratory infections, cholera,

leishmaniasis, malaria, arboviral diseases / haemor ­
rhagic fevers, schistosomiasis, sexually transmitted
diseases incl . AIDS, trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis .

1.3.4 . Complementary research, bridging science and
application in the areas of :

— relevance and methodology of health interventions ;

— reproductive health ;

Under the present call, heading 1.3.4 is an integral part
of health system research ( 1.3.1 ).

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

Mediterranean Region

Topic 1.3.1 . and 1.3.4 . Health systems research and
complementary research including occupational health
( individual and collective protection of persons in the
workplace ).

Topic 1.3.2 . and 1.3.3 . Biomedical research related to
leishmaniasis, non-communicable diseases ( 8 ), thal ­
assemia, schistosomiasis, acute respiratory infections,
tuberculosis, cholera .

Latin America

Topic 1.3.1 . and 1.3.4 . Health systems research and
complementary research .

Topic 1.3.2 . and 1.3.3 . Biomedical research related to
malaria, acute respiratory infections, cholera, tuber ­
culosis, arboviral diseases / haemorrhagic fevers, leish ­
maniasis, non-communicable diseases, schistosomiasis,
sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS .

( 8 ) When a research proposal refers to ' non-communicable
diseases ', special attention should be given by the applicants
to document the local, national and regional importance of
the problem to be studied : magnitude of the health problem
in the study area ( eg . mortality and morbidity ) as well as the
capacity to cope with the health problem through research
( vulnerability ), within the health care structure adapted to
the socio-economic and cultural environment .

No C 113 / 22 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18 . 4 . 96

Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean, Pacific and communication technologies . To combine research

skills established in developing countries ' institutions and

Sub-Saharan Africa : industry with their EU counterparts and to facilitate the

growth of a global information and communications area
Joint Research Projects : allowing developing countries to participate in solving
their regional problems with regard to development .

Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean, Pacific

Sub-Saharan Africa :

Topic 1.3.1 . and 1.3.4 . Health systems research and
complementary research . S P EC I FIC TD PIC S

Topic 1.3.2 . and 1.3.3 . Biomedical research related to
malaria, acute respiratory infections, cholera, schistoso ­
miasis, sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS,
trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis, arboviral diseases / haemor ­
rhagic fevers, leishmaniasis, filariasis, non-communicable
diseases ( 8 ).

Caribbean and Pacific region

Topic 1.3.1 . and 1.3.4 . Health systems research and
complementary research .

Topic 1.3.2 . and 1.3.3 . Biomedical research related to
acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, arboviral
diseases / haemorrhagic fevers, non-communicable
disease ( 8 ), sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS .

China

Health systems research excluded ( topics 1.3.1 . and
1.3.4 .), except for occupational health ( individual and
collective protection of persons in the workplace ) which
is eligible, otherwise as for India, South Asia and
South-East Asia ( see below ).

India, South Asia and South-East Asia

Topic 1.3.1 . and 1.3.4 . Health systems research and
complementary research, including occupational health
( individual and collective protection of persons in the
workplace ).

Topic 1.3.2 . and 1.3.3 . Biomedical research related to
malaria, acute respiratory infections, cholera, arboviral
diseases / haemorrhagic fevers, sexually transmitted
diseases, including AIDS, tuberculosis, filariasis, leish ­
maniasis, non-communicable diseases ( 8 ), schistosomiasis .

2 . Additional sectors of mutual interest

2.1.1 . Software Technologies, in particular methods,
tools and guidelines for the design and development of
software intensive systems as well as components and
software services also including aspects of human
computer interaction, and respective applications .
Software Engineering and formal methods, techniques,
tools and supporting technologies as well as components,
technologies increasing comfort and security in dealing
with the systems .

2.1.2 . Computer integrated manufacturing, in particular
information infrastructure for integration in manufac ­
turing, logistics, quality, concurrent engineering,
information management, control of manufacturing
processes including sensing technologies, and industrial
automation .

2.1.3 . Information society, in particular all activities that
help to integrate developing countries into the global
information society by use of multimedia information
and communication technologies and electronic data
interchange with a special view to their socio-economic
impact ; telematics applications in sectors such as
education, healthcare, transport, support to SME and
other aspects of common interest like environment or
libraries .

2.1.4 . Advanced communication technologies and in
particular systems suited to the development constraints .

2.1.5 . R&D informatics networks, for the Mediter ­
ranean, accent is placed on multilingual access and
linguistics engineering projects .

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

All geographical areas

2.1 . Information and communication technologies Topics 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3 may be the object of joint

research projects, concerted actions and accompanying
measures, including ' Keep-in-Touch ' actions and
OBJECTIVE networks .

To integrate developing countries, in particular those
which have attained a higher level of development, into
the global information society by means of information

( 8 ) When a research proposal refers to ' non-communicable
diseases ', special attention should be given by the applicants
to document the local, national and regional importance of
the problem to be studied : magnitude of the health problem
in the study area ( eg . mortality and morbidity ) as well as the
capacity to cope with the health problem through research
( vulnerability ), within the health care structure adapted to
the socio-economic and cultural environment .

Mediterranean

In addition, ' Keep-in-Touch ' actions involving Mediter ­
ranean countries may be submitted under all information
and communication technologies topics listed in the
work programme ( micro-electronics, applications of high
performance computing, computer integrated manufac ­
turing, software, advanced communications technologies
and telematics, access to R&D informatic networks,
linguistics engineering ).

18 . 4 . 96 | EN | Official Journal of the European Communities No C 113 / 23

6 . The information pack containing the work programme
of INCO-DC, details on the procedures for submitting
proposals, and proposal application forms, will be
available on the Internet through the Cordis World Wide
Web or ' anonymous file transfer ( ftp )'. ( Access to www
Cordis : http: / /www.cordis.l u /cg i /buil — doclist.pl
scroll down to the INCO entries and select ' Information
package for Part C '). If access to these networks is not
available, please write or send a facsimile to :

European Commission, DG XIII-ACTS Central Office
( BU 09 4 / 82 ), rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, B - 1 049
Bruxelles / Brussel, tel . ( 02 ) 296 34 15, facsimile
( 02 ) 295 06 54, e-mail : ACO@postman.dgl3.cec.be .

Information Technologies ( 13 ):

European Commission, RTD Programme in Information
Technologies ( ESPRIT ), rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200,
B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, facsimile ( 02 ) 296 83 88,
e-mail : esprit@dg3.cec.be

European Commission, DG XII / B-4, INCO-DC,
Square de Meeûs 8, B - 1 040 Brussels, telex COMEU B Standards, Measurement and Testing ( 14 ):
21877, facsimile ( + 32 ) 2-296 62 52, or e-mail : inco ­
dc@dgl2.cec.be . European Commission, DG XII / C-5, ( M075 3 / 7 ), rue
Proposals should also be submitted to this address de ( 02 la ) 295 Loi 83 33 / Wetstraat, facsimile 200, B-1049 ( 02 Bruxelles ) 295 80 72 /, Brussel e-mail, tel : .
( facsimile copies or versions sent by electronic mail will helpdesk.smt@mhsg.cec.be .
not be accepted ).

Biotechnology ( 1S ):
7 . Additional Information

Legal entities established in developing countries may
participate in certain other specific programmes under
the Fourth Framework Programme which are listed
below but without normally receiving Community
funding and under some restrictions . Specific
information packages concerning the calls for proposals
for these programmes can be obtained from the
following addresses :

( Only prenormative research, biodiversity and social
acceptance are open to developing countries ).

European Commission, DGXII / E-1 - Biotechnology,
( SDME ), rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, B-1049
Bruxelles / Brussel, tel . ( 02 ) 296 22 29, telex COMEU B
21877, facsimile ( 02 ) 295 53 65 .

Non-Nuclear Energy ( ):

European Commission, DG VII / A-4, ( BU31 5 / 2 ), rue

Environment and Climate ( ): de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, tel .

European Commission, DG XII / D, ( SDME ), rue de la ( 02 ) 295 58 40, telex COMEU B 21877, facsimile
Loi / Wetstraat 200, B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, facsimile . ( 02 ) 295 06 56 .
( 02 ) 296 30 24, telex COMEU B 21877 . Transport ( 17 ):
Marine Science and Technology ( 10 ) : European Commission, DGVII / A-4, ( BU31 5 / 2 ), rue

European Commission, DG XII ( MAST ), ( SDME ), rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, tel .
de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, tel . ( 02 ) 295 43 00, facsimile ( 02 ) 295 43 49, e-mail :
( 02 ) 296 21 45, facsimile ( 02 ) 296 30 24 . simon.mordue@mhsg.cec.be .

Environment and Climate ( ):

European Commission, DG XII ( MAST ), ( SDME ), rue
de la Loi / Wetstraat 200, B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, tel .
( 02 ) 296 21 45, facsimile ( 02 ) 296 30 24 .

Biomedicine and Health ( n ):

( With the exception of pharmaceutical research, and
research on biomedical technologies and engineering ) in
the case of developing countries .

Advanced Communications Technologies and
Services ( 12 ):

European Commission, EU Biomedical and Health
Research, DG XII / E-4, ( SDME ), rue de la
Loi / Wetstraat 200, B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, facsimile
( 02 ) 295 53 65 .

Targeted Socio-Economic Research ( 18 ):

( Evaluation of science and technology policy options ).

European Commission, DG XII, rue de la Loi / Wetstraat
200, B-1049 Bruxelles / Brussel, facsimile ( 02 ) 296 70 28 .

This notice cancels and replaces that which was
published in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the
European Communities No S 53 of 15.3 . 1996, p . 29 .

( n ) OJ No L 334, 22 . 12 . 1994, p . 24 .
O OJ No L 334, 22.12.1994, p . 47 .
O OJ No L 361, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 1 . (,s ) OJ No L 361, 31.12.1994, p . 25 .
( 10 ) OJ No L 334, 22 . 12 . 1994, p . 59 . ( 16 ) OJ No L 334, 22 . 12 . 1994, p . 87 .
(") OJ No L 361, 31 . 12 . 1994, p . 40 . ( 17 ) OJ No L 361, 31.12.1994, p . 56 .
( 12 ) OJ No L 222, 26 . 8 . 1994, p . 35 . C 8 ) OJ No L 361, 31.12.1994, p . 77 .

( 17 ) OJ No L 361, 31.12.1994, p . 56 .
C 8 ) OJ No L 361, 31.12.1994, p . 77 .