Document ID: 31990D0221

COUNCIL DECISION of 23 April 1990 concerning the framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994) (90/221/Euratom, EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130q (1) thereof,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas the Single European Act incorporated a Title VI (Articles 130f to 130q) into the EEC Treaty; whereas that Title constitutes a new legal basis for Community activities in the field of research and technological development; whereas, in particular, Article 130f lays down that the Community's aim is to strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European industry and to encourage it to become more competitive at international level;
Whereas it is necessary for the Community to encourage enterprises, including small and medium-sized undertakings, research centres and universities in their research and technological development activities and, in order to achieve that, to support their efforts to cooperate with one another by appropriate measures;
Whereas it is recognized that small and medium-sized undertakings are able to make a significant contribution to the innovative process and should play a substantial role in the implementation of Community research and technological development activities, thereby contributing to the improvement of industrial competitiveness on a broader basis; whereas, therefore, particular attention should be paid to the specific needs of these undertakings in order to encourage their access to information, their effective participation in Community programmes and their ability to exploit the results of Community research;
Whereas under Article 130i all the Community activities referred to in Article 130g should be set out in a multiannual framework programme;
Whereas, following an initial framework programme for the period 1984 to 1987, a second framework programme
for the period 1987 to 1991 was adopted by Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (4) amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (5), and is in the process of being implemented; whereas it should be possible to continue implementing it, for specific programmes which have not yet been adopted, even after adoption of the third framework programme for the period 1990 to 1994;
Whereas the Commission submitted a communication on 'a framework for Community research and technological development actions in the 1990s' on 13 June 1989;
Whereas, in addition, pursuant to Article 4 of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC, the Commission has examined and assessed progress in carrying out the second framework programme, in particular through an evaluation report prepared by a group of independent experts;
Whereas, in view of the rapid pace of technological development, new economic challenges which the Community must meet, the increased level of global competition and the need to keep in view the horizon beyond 1992, Community activities in the field of research and technological development must be intensified and augmented; whereas, in the light of these factors, it has been judged appropriate to adopt a new framework programme for the period 1990 to 1994 developing out of the current framework programme 1987 to 1991;
Whereas the Community's activities must be based on the principle of subsidiarity, and whereas the Community's activities in the field of research and technological development must thus provide added value in relation to activities carried out at national and other levels;
Whereas efforts should be focused on a limited number of activities corresponding to the strategic objectives laid down in the framework programme;
Whereas it is necessary to promote the overall harmonious development of the Community with a view to strengthening its economic and social cohesion; whereas it is intended that the implementation of common policies of the Community and its strategy for research and technological development shall contribute to this objective; whereas a Community framework programme should play its part, along with other Community instruments, in contributing to strengthening scientific and technological infrastructure and potential throughout all parts of the Community;
Whereas the process of technological progress requires a continuum of interlinked activities, ranging from basic research through to the demonstration of the applications of new technologies; whereas, however, the pre-competitive aspect must remain central and still take priority in Community research and technological development;
Whereas the prenormative dimension referred to in Article 130f of the Treaty could enable Community research and technological development activities to guarantee the scientific and technical basis necessary to establish adequate norms and standards; whereas such an approach will help make it easier for the Community to meet the increased responsibilities linked with completion of the single market, in other areas such as the environment, safety and health;
Whereas the Joint Research Centre is called on to contribute to the implementation of the framework programme particularly in those fields in which it can offer an impartial and independent expert opinion for the benefit of all Community policies;
Whereas the dissemination and exploitation of the results of research and technological development activities are essential elements in the innovative process, in particular for small and medium-sized undertakings; whereas, for this reason, each specific programme must specify the procedures for disseminating results, and provision should be made for centralized action to disseminate and exploit the results of research;
Whereas a new initiative should be launched to improve the mobility and training of young researchers at postgraduate level, particularly relying on networks of laboratories and research teams, both public and private, in Member States, throughout the whole Community;
Whereas the framework programme is to be implemented through specific programmes and may also be implemented through supplementary programmes within the meaning of Article 130l, participation within the meaning of Article 130m and cooperation with third countries or international organizations within the meaning of Article 130n or may take the form of joint undertakings or other structures within the meaning of Article 130o of the EEC Treaty;
Whereas a complementary relationship should be promoted between Community activities and Eureka projects which fit in with the extension of the Community's research and technological development strategy, by the choice of appropriate instruments, in accordance with Articles 130m and n of the EEC Treaty;
Whereas the Community is ready to cooperate, on a mutually advantageous basis, with third countries, particularly those which have concluded framework agreements with the Communities;
Whereas European Cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST) activities are making an increased contribution to the implementation of the framework programme and playing a specific and complementary role by encouraging scientific and technical cooperation between the Community and the members of COST by means of research projects of a multilateral character;
Whereas it is necessary to make an estimate of the Community financial means necessary for the realization of the research and development activities envisaged, in accordance with Article 130i (1) of the EEC Treaty; whereas this amount is compatible with the financial perspective included in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 29 June 1988 for the years 1990 to 1992;
Whereas as regards the implementation of the framework programme in 1993 and 1994 provision should be made for the amount deemed necessary and the continuity of research activities should be ensured;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has been consulted;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Committee referred to in Article 7 of the EAEC Treaty has been consulted by the Commission and has delivered its opinion,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
1. This framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development, hereinafter referred to as the 'third framework programme', shall cover the period 1990 to 1994. The Decisions adopted in implementation of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC, concerning the framework programme for 1987 to 1991 shall not be affected by this Decision. The remaining Decisions necessary to complete the implementation of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC, may be adopted.
2. The third framework programme shall provide for the carrying out of the following activities:
- enabling technologies:
1. information and communications technologies;
2. industrial and materials technologies.
- management of natural resources:
3. environment;
4. life sciences and technologies;
5. energy.
- management of intellectual resources:
6. human capital and mobility.
3. Without prejudice to the amount of ECU 3 125 million deemed necessary in respect of the framework programme for 1987 to 1991, which it will be possible to enter in the budget from 1990 onwards, the amount deemed necessary for Community financial participation in the entire programme shall be ECU 5 700 million, of which ECU 2 500 million are deemed to be necessary during 1990, 1991 and 1992 and ECU 3 200 million during 1993 and 1994.
4. The latter amount shall be intended for the financing in 1993 and 1994 of activities begun in the period 1990 to 1992. If this amount is covered by any financial perspective fixed for 1993 and 1994, it shall be deemed to be confirmed. In any other circumstances, the Council should as soon as possible take, in accordance with Article 130q (1), the decisions deemed necessary to ensure the continuity of the present framework programme.
5. The breakdown of the amount deemed necessary for the period 1990 to 1994 between the six activities referred to in paragraph 2 is set out in Annex I.
6. The activities referred to in paragraph 2 and their scientific and technical objectives are described in Annex II.
7. The selection criteria to be applied in the implementation of the framework programme are laid down in Annex III.
Article 2
1. The third framework programme shall be implemented through specific programmes in accordance with Articles 130k and 130p of the EEC Treaty. For activities covered by the EAEC Treaty, programmes shall be adopted in accordance with Article 7 of the said Treaty. Each programme shall fall within one of the activities referred to in Article 1 (2).
2. This implementation may also give rise, as necessary, to supplementary programmes within the meaning of Article 130l, to participation within the meaning of Article 130m, to cooperation within the meaning of Article 130n and to joint undertakings or any other structure within the meaning of Article 130o of the EEC Treaty. In such cases the decision shall be taken by the Council pursuant to the rules of the Treaty.
3. If a decision is taken in implementation of Article 1 (4), the various specific programmes or other decisions shall be adjusted to take account of such decision.
4. Each specific programme shall determine its precise objectives and make provision for an evaluation of the results achieved as compared with those objectives and with the criteria in Annex III, which include that of contributing to the economic and social cohesion of the Community.
Article 3
The detailed rules for financial participation by the Communities in the third framework programme as a whole shall be those provided for by the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.
The rates of financial participation by the Community are set out in Annex IV.
Article 4
Measures to disseminate the knowledge gained from and to exploit the results of the specific programmes and the supplementary programmes, as described in Annex II, shall be implemented, on the one hand, through the specific and supplementary programmes and, on the other, by means of a centralized action.
The amount deemed necessary for the abovementioned centralized action is ECU 57 million, as indicated in Annex I.
The detailed arrangements for the dissemination and exploitation of the knowledge gained, in particular the definition and the implementation of the centralized action, shall be the subject of a Council Decision.
Article 5
During the third year of execution of the third framework programme, the Commission shall assess its progress by reference to the criteria set out in Annex III. It shall examine in particular whether the objectives, priorities and activities envisaged and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. It shall also make an evaluation of all the specific programmes implemented under Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC. It shall communicate the findings of this examination and evaluation to the Council together with its comments.
After the Council has examined this communication, the Commission shall submit to it the necessary proposals for decisions.
When implementation of the third framework programme has been completed, the Commission shall make a new evaluation of that programme.
Done at Luxembourg, 23 April 1990.

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