Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

#### **•s** **`It`**

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 EC

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### **COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES**

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                        C0M(90) 179 final - SYN 121

                         Brussels, 15 May 1990

                  Proposal for a

                 COUNCIL DECISION

            amending Decision 89/118/EEC on a

         European stimulation plan for economic science

                (1989 - 1992) (SPES)

              (presented by the Commission)

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                     - 2 
                   BACKGROUND

1. On adopting on 13 February 1989 a European stimulation plan for
  economic science (1989-1992)(SPES), the Council gave the Commission the
  responsibility of implementing a range of measures aimed at improving
  the training of young economists the stimulation of mobility and intra  European cooperation between community economists.

2. A Community action is particularly relevant and necessary for economic
  science because It involves a subject which, by Its very nature, has an
  international dimension directly linked to the objectives of the
  Community and where it Is advisable to take Into account the European
  dimension for the study of major Community questions.

3. The Community action launched In February 1989 immediately stimulated a
  great Interest amongst the Community scientists concerned, confirming
  the needs which had been expressed by them as well as by the Council,
  the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the
  Commission, needs which were the origin of the Initiative taken by the
  Commission in March 1988 In proposing the SPES Plan.

4. Within several months, the Commission had received a large number of
  expressions of interest (5 000 requests for information In 10 months)
  of which a substantial number gave rise to Joint proposals or to
  European networks (166 proposals for an amount in the region of
  ECU 22 million bringing together 793 teams had been submitted between
  1 April and 1 November 1989). The evaluation of these proposals showed
  that the majority of them concerned subjects which were of great
  interest and came from quality research teams.

5. Taking into account the financial means available, only a small
  proportion of these "quality" requests could be financed : 22 proposals
   involving 62 teams for an amount In the region of ECU 1 650 000 (or 13%
  of the requests considered on 1 October 1989).

6. The analysis of the subject areas affected by these Community show on
  the other hand that while the subjects specifically linked to European
  integration are well represented, other important questions are without
  doubt insufficiently represented. This applies particularly to
  questions linked to the development of tools of economic performance
  such as precise economic models incorporating financial aspects
  (including interest and exchange rates) or Indicators which allow the
  assessment of the economic Impact of new technologies, In particular as
  regards In the protection of the environment.

7. Without anticipating the conclusions of the evaluation which will be
  undertaken In 1991 In accordance with the Decision 89/11/EEC, the
   Inadequate level of funding available In relation to the needs to which
  the Community must respond can already be seen.

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                     - 3 
8. In its proposai for a Framework Programme 1987-1991, the Commission had
  expressed its intention to take measures aimed at supporting and
  retaining high level researchers In the Community. To this end, an
  amount of ECU 4 million had been reserved for an experimental action
  for the "Stimulation of European cooperation and S/T exchanges" (line
  8.1 of the 1987-1991 Framework Programme).

9. In view of the possibilities offered by the SCIENCE Plan as adopted by
  the Council (Decision 88/419/EEC) it appears that the objectives
  envisaged for this experimental action could be achieved with the help
  of the modalities available under the SCIENCE Plan (research grants).

10. In this situation and taking Into account the existing needs of
  economic science, the Commission considers that it Is necessary to
  revise the cost estimate and to reinforce the financial base of the

  stimulation plan for economic science with the ECU 4 million currently
  aval I able.

11. The Commission therefore requests the Council to agree to the draft
  Decision which follows in order that It can proceed with a stimulation
  action for economic science to respond more adequately to the needs
  encountered.

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                     - 4 
                 Proposal for a
                 COUNCIL DECISION

            amending Decision 89/118/EEC on a
        European stimulation plan for economic science
                (1989 - 1992) (SPES)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community
and In particular Article 130q(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission* [1] ),

In cooperation with the European Par I lament* [2] *,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee* [3] *,

Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty provides that the Implementation of the
Framework Programme Is to be carried out by means of its action lines;
whereas the Council, In deciding by Decision 87/516/Euratorn, EEC* [4] * the
Community Framework Programme for research and technological development
(1987-1991), recognizes the Interest of such a stimulation action;

Whereas Council Decision 89/118/EEC [(5)] adopted a plurlannual research and
development Programme for the Community in the field of economic sciences;

Whereas the Framework Programme, amongst the evaluation criteria for each
programme and the selection of Community actions, provides for the
contribution to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of
the Community, while respecting the objectives of scientific and technical
qua Iity;

Whereas certain recent and important questions In economic science, for
example precise economic models Incorporating financial aspects and above
all indicators which allow the appreciation of the environmental Impact of
new technologies, require urgent action by the Community taking Into
account the vital relationship between the means available for the adopted
plan and the quality of the proposals received by the Commission;

Whereas economic science alms to Increase the wealth and productivity of
the economy as a whole;

Whereas the Committee for Scientific and Technological Research (CREST) has
been consulted,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

(1) OJ.
(2) OJ
(3) OJ
(4) OJ No L 302, 24.10.1987, p. 1.
(5) OJ NO L 44, 16.2.1989, p. 43.

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                     - 5 
                   Article 1_

Decision 89/118/EEC is hereby amended as follows:

1. The first paragraph of Article 3 Is replaced by the following:

  "The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme
  amount to ECU 10 million for the period 1989 to 1992, Including
  expenditure on a staff of three."

2. The following is added to point 4 of the Annex:

  " vil I: Microeconomics

    ix: problems of the evaluation of the economic Impact of
        environmental risks

    x: The problems of economic relations between Western Europe and
        Eastern Europe".

                   Article 2

This Decision Is addressed to the Member States.

Done at For the Council

                           The President

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                     - 6 
                 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

1. Budgetary 11 ne : 7382

  Title of the action:

  Plan to stimulate cooperation and exchange between researchers in
  economic science.

2. Legal base

  Article 130q(2) of the EEC Treaty

3 • Definition of the action:

  The stimulation programme Includes the following actions:

  . European doctoral scholarships awarded to students from Community
   countries to carry out a part of their studies in a research
    Institute In a Community country other than their own;

  . post-doctoral research grants awarded to Community researchers to
   enable them to work In a research institute situated in a country
   other than their own. These grants can be in the form of a lump-sum
    (fellowship) or may cover only certain costs such as travel,
   subsistence and/or costs associated with the research itself;

  . subsidies for projects and research networks, high-level training
   courses, scientific meetings (conferences, seminars, workshops),
   studies and inquiries as well as for the facilitation of access to
   databases.

4. Just if I cat Ion for the action:

  On the 28 June 1983, the Council approved the aim of "improving the
  effectiveness of the scientific and technical potential of the
  Community" among those of the Framework Programme of Community R&D
  activities.* [1] *

  The Single European Act specifies (Article 130) that the Commission
  must undertake stimulation action In training.

  The Council of 28 September 1987 approved the aim of "A researcher's
  Europe" among those for support under the 1987-1991 Framework Programme
  of Community R&D activities.* [2] *

(?) OJ N O L 1 8 1, 6.7.1983, p.20.
(2) OJ NoL3G2,24.1Cl.1937 p.1

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                     - 7 
  The Council of 29 June 1988, adopted the new plan (1988-92) for the
  stimulation of international cooperation and interchange needed by
  European researchers (SCIENCE)* [3] * which Is still limited to the exact
  sciences but at the same time has recognised the necessity of extending
  the action to ail areas of science.

  The Council of 13 February 1989* [4] * adopted a European plan for the
  stimulation of economic science (1989-1992) (SPES) which constitutes an
  opening up of Community activities In research and development to
  economic sciences.

5. Financial Imp 11 cat Ions

   1. Type of expenditure

       a) Personnel:

       I. SPES: For 1990 the personnel Is comprised of

                    one "A" grade and one new "C" grade.

                    The new "C" Is only taken Into account
                    for 6 months of the first year. For
                    91/92 an Increase of 4% a year is taken
                    into account.

                    The costs of business travel
                                   are
                    Included in the amounts mentioned.

       I) Revision of SPES: For the revision of SPES, a new grade
                    "A" Is planned for 1991 calculating as
                    before a h "A [M] the first year with an
                    increase of 4% the following years.

                    The costs of business travel
                                   are
                    Included in the amounts mentioned.

       b) Administration: 4 E-CODEST meetings are planned per

                    year.

       c) Contracts:

         European doctoral fellowships, post-doctoral research
         grants;

(3) OJ No L 206, 30.7.1988, p. 34.
(4) OJ No L 44, 16.2.1989, p. 43.

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            - 8 
Subsidies for networks and/or multinational

projects.

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research

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2.

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  Subsidies for the organisation of high level training
  courses, Including summer schools and scientific meetings
  as well as facilitating access to databases.

  Study contracts

  Expert contracts

Total cost

ECU 10 million for the 1989-1992 period of the stimulation
plan. ECU 6 million for Decision 89/118/EEC of 13 February
1989 (SPES) and ECU 4 million for the period 1991-1992 for the
revision of the programme.

```

#### **`3. Breakdown`** **`Commitment Appropriations`**

#### **`- 9 -`** **`(in mECU)`** **`(Forecast)`**

#### **`Budget Budget`** `1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 TOTAL` `SPES :` `Personnel (1+9) .0865 .1315 .165 .170 .553` `Administr.` `(2+3) .049 .0425 .045 .046 .1825` `Contracts (5) .8645 1.826 1.790 .784 5.2645` `S/Total 1.000 2.000 2.000 1.000 pm 6.000` **`Revision o£ SEES`** `Personnel (1+9) 0 .055 .107 .162` `Administration` `(2+3) 0 0 0 0` `Contracts (5) 0 1.345 2.493 3.838` `S/Total 1.400 2.600 pm 4.000` `Total 1.000 2.000 3.400 3.600 pm 10.000`

#### `- 10 -` `Payment approviatlons` **`Budget Budget (Forecast)`** `1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 TOTAL` `SPES`

#### `Personnel` `(1+9)`

#### `.0865 .1315 .165 .170`

#### `Administration` `(2+3) .049` `Contracts (5) .2645`

#### `0425 .045 .046` `626 1.7892 1.499`

#### `.553` `.1825` `8506 .2352 5.2645`

#### `S/Total .400 .800 1.9992 1.715 8506 .2352 6.000` **`Revision of SPES`**

#### `Personnel` `(1+9)` `Administration` `(2+3)` `Contracts (5)`

#### `055 .107 162` `0 0 0` `4035 1.2859 1.4007 .7479 3.838`

#### `S/Total 0 4585 1.3929 1.4007 .7479 4.000` `TOTAL .400 .800 2.4577 3.1079 2.2513 .9831 10.000`

**ISSN 0254-1475**

## **COM(90) 179 final**

# **DOCUMENTS**

## **EN 17 16** Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-210-EN-C ISBN 92-77-60259-7

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