CELEX: 51990PC0179
Language: en
Date: 1990-05-15
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION AMENDING DECISION 89/118/EEC ON A EUROPEAN STIMULATION PLAN FOR ECONOMIC SCIENCE ( 1989 - 1992 ) ( SPES )

•s
     COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                         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)
  It
  EC
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                            - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 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 "AM 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.
 ---pagebreak---                             - 8 -
       Subsidies   for  networks  and/or   multinational research
       projects.
       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
2. 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.
 ---pagebreak---                               - 9-
3.     Breakdown
                             (in mECU)
                                  (Forecast)
Commitment Appropriations
                 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
 ---pagebreak---                              - 10 -
Payment approviatlons
             Budget   Budget       (Forecast)
               1989    1990   1991     1992   1993   1994    TOTAL
SPES
Personnel       .0865  .1315   .165     .170                 .553
  (1+9)
Administration
(2+3)           .049    0425   .045     .046                 .1825
Contracts (5)   .2645   626   1.7892   1.499    8506  .2352 5.2645
S/Total         .400   .800   1.9992   1.715    8506  .2352 6.000
Revision of SPES
Personnel
(1+9)                           055     .107                   162
Administration
(2+3)                           0         0                    0
Contracts (5)                   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
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                 ISSN 0254-1475
                                                                COM(90) 179 final
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