COUNCIL OFBrussels, 3 March 2006
THE EUROPEAN UNIONPUBLIC
6956/06
LIMITE
Interinstitutional File:
2005/0185 (CNS)
DOCUMENT PARTIALLY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC RECH 52 COMPET 46
NOTE from :
General Secretariat
to : Council
Prev. doc. 6624/06 RECH 28 COMPET 25
No. Cion prop. 12736/05 RECH 182 COMPET 198 Subject :
Council Decision concerning the Specific Programme "Cooperation" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities Progress report and Exchange of views, Council ("Competitiveness") on
13 March 2006
Delegations will find attached the draft text on the Specific Programme "Cooperation" as it results
ANNEX
DRAFT COUNCIL DECISION1
concerning the Specific Programme "Cooperation" implementing the Seventh Framework
Programme (2007-2013) of the European Community for research, technological development
and demonstration activities
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 166
thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission2,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament3,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee4,
Whereas:
...
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Specific Programme "Cooperation" for Community activities in the area of research and
technological development, including demonstration activities, hereinafter the "Specific
Programme" is hereby adopted for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013.
Article 2
The Specific Programme shall support the activities for "Cooperation" supporting the whole range
of research actions carried out in trans-national cooperation in the following thematic areas:
(a) Health;
(b) Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology;
(c) Information and Communication Technologies;
(d) Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies;
(e) Energy;
(f) Environment (including Climate Change);
(g) Transport (including Aeronautics);
(h) Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities;
Article 3
In accordance with Annex II of the Framework Programme, the amount deemed necessary for the
execution of the Specific Programme shall be EUR xxx million, of which less than 6% shall be for
the Commission's administrative expenditure. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in
Annex II.
Article 45
-
1.All research activities carried out under the Specific Programme shall be carried out in
compliance with fundamental ethical principles.
[2. The following fields of research shall not be financed under this programme:
-
-research activity aiming at human cloning for reproductive purposes,
-
-research activity intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings which
could make such changes heritable6,
research activities intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of research or
for the purpose of stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic cell nuclear
transfer.
-
3.The following research shall not be financed under this programme:
Article 5
-
1.The Specific Programme shall be implemented by means of the funding schemes
established in Annex III to the Framework Programme.
-
2.Annex III to this Specific Programme sets out the arrangements for a grant to the European
Investment Bank for the establishment of a Risk Sharing Finance Facility.
-
3.Annex IV sets out an indicative list of possible Joint Technology Initiatives that could be
the subject of separate decisions and an indicative list of initiatives for the possible joint
implementation of national research programmes that could be the subject of a separate
decision on the basis of Article 169 of the Treaty.
-
4.The rules for participation and dissemination shall apply to this Specific Programme.
Article 6
-
1.The Commission shall draw up a work programme for the implementation of the Specific
Programme, setting out in greater detail the objectives and scientific and technological
priorities set out in Annex I, the funding scheme to be used for the topic on which
proposals are invited, and the timetable for implementation.
-
3.Proposals for indirect actions under the funding schemes shall be evaluated and projects
shall be selected considering the following principles:
-
-scientific and/or technological excellence;
-
-relevance to the objectives of this specific programme;
-
-the potential impact through the development, dissemination and use of project
results;
-
-the quality and efficiency of the implementation and management.
Within this framework the work programme will specify the evaluation and selection
criteria and may add additional requirements, weightings and thresholds.
-
4.The work programme may identify:
(a) organisations that receive subscriptions in the form of a membership fee;
(b) support actions for the activities of specific legal entities.
Article 78
-
1.The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Specific Programme.
[2. The management procedure laid down in Article 8(2) shall apply for the adoption of:
Article 8
-
1.The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee
-
2.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall
apply.
-
3.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall
apply.
-
4.The period provided for in Articles 4(3) and 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be two
months.
-
5.The Commission shall regularly inform the Committee of the overall progress of the
implementation of the Specific Programme, and shall provide it with information about all
RTD actions funded under this programme.
Article 9
The Commission shall arrange for the independent monitoring, assessment and review provided for
in Article 7 of the Framework Programme to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in
the fields covered by the Specific Programme.
ANNEX I
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES, BROAD LINES OF THE THEMES
AND ACTIVITIES
In this Specific Programme, support will be provided to trans-national co-operation at every
scale across the European Union and beyond, in a number of thematic areas corresponding to
major fields of the progress of knowledge and technology, where research must be supported
and strengthened to address European social, economic, public health, environmental and
industrial challenges.
The overarching aim is to contribute to sustainable development within the context of
promoting research at the highest level of excellence.
The ten themes determined for Community action are the following:
(2) Health;
(3) Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology;
(4) Information and Communication Technologies;
(5) Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies;
(6) Energy;
(7) Environment (including Climate Change);
Each theme is described in terms of the objective, the approach to implementation, and the activities
including those involving large scale initiatives (as set out indicatively in the Annex), international
cooperation, emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs.
The principle of sustainable development will be duly taken into account. According to the
European policy of equal opportunities between women and men, set out in Articles 2 and 3 of the
Treaty, the activities of the Specific Programme will ensure the implementation of appropriate
measures to promote gender equality and the participation of women researchers. Furthermore,
considerations of the ethical, social, legal and wider cultural aspects of the research to be
undertaken and its potential applications, as well as socio-economic impacts of scientific and
technological development and foresight, will where relevant form a part of the activities under this
Specific Programme.
Pluridisciplinary and cross-thematic research, including joint calls
Special attention will be paid to priority scientific areas which cut across themes, such as marine
sciences and technologies. Pluridisciplinarity will be encouraged by joint cross-thematic approaches
to research and technology subjects relevant to more than one theme. Such cross-thematic
approaches will be implemented, among others, through:
-
-The use of joint calls between themes where a research topic is clearly relevant to the
activities under each of the respective themes;
Coordination between the themes in this Specific Programme and the actions under other specific
programmes of the 7th Framework Programme, such as those on research infrastructures in the
"Capacities" Specific Programme, will be ensured by the European Commission.
Adaptation to evolving needs and opportunities
The continued industrial relevance of the themes will be ensured by relying, among other sources,
on the work of the various "European Technology Platforms". This Specific Programme will
thereby contribute to the implementation of relevant Strategic Research Agendas such as those
established and developed by the European Technology Platforms where these present genuine
European added value. The broad research needs identified in available Strategic Research Agendas
are already well reflected across the ten themes identified below. The more detailed incorporation
of their technical content will be reflected subsequently when formulating the detailed work
programme for specific calls for proposals.
The continued relevance of the themes to the formulation, implementation and assessment of
Community policies and regulations will also be ensured. This concerns policy areas such as those
of health, safety, consumer protection, energy, the environment, development aid, fisheries,
maritime affairs, agriculture, animal health and welfare, transport, education and training,
information society and media, employment, social affairs, cohesion, and the establishment of an
area for freedom, security and justice, along with pre-normative and co-normative research relevant
to improving the quality of standards and their implementation. In this context, platforms that bring
Under each theme, besides the activities defined, specific actions to respond to "emerging needs"
and "unforeseen policy needs" will be implemented in an open and flexible way. The
implementation of these actions will ensure a simple, coherent and coordinated approach
throughout the Specific Programme and the funding of cross-disciplinary research cutting across or
lying outside the themes.
· Future and Emerging Technologies: through specific support for research proposals aiming
at identifying or further exploring, in a given field and/or at the intersection of several
disciplines, new scientific and technological opportunities, in particular linked with a potential
for significant breakthroughs. This will be implemented through:
-
-Open, "bottom up" research on topics identified by researchers themselves to develop
new scientific and technological opportunities ("Adventure" actions") or to assess new
discoveries or newly-observed phenomena which could indicate risks or problems to
society ("Insight" actions);
-
-Initiatives focused on specific, highly challenging objectives in emerging scientific and
technological fields that promise major advances and a large potential impact on
economic and social developments, and may involve groups of complementary projects
("Pathfinder" actions).
· Unforeseen policy needs: to respond in a flexible way to new policy needs that arise during
Dissemination, knowledge transfer and broader engagement
In order to strengthen the diffusion and use of the output of EU research, the dissemination of
knowledge and transfer of results, including to policy makers, will be supported in all thematic
areas9, including through the funding of networking/brokerage initiatives, seminars and events,
assistance by external experts and electronic information services. This will be implemented in each
thematic area by means of:
-
-Integration of dissemination and knowledge transfer actions within projects and consortia,
through suitable provisions in the financing schemes and reporting requirements;
-
-Offering targeted assistance to projects and consortia to provide them with access to the
necessary skills to optimise the use of results;
-
-Specific dissemination actions which take a proactive approach to disseminating results from
across a range of projects, including those from previous Framework Programmes and other
research programmes, and which target specific sectors or sets of stakeholders as potential
users;
-
-Dissemination to policy makers, including standardisation bodies, to facilitate the use of
policy relevant results by the appropriate bodies at international, European, national or
Coordination of dissemination and knowledge transfer across the Framework Programme will be
ensured. Complementary actions to support innovation will be implemented by the Competitiveness
and Innovation Programme. Potential synergies between education and research will be exploited
and good practice identified, in particular to promote careers in research.
SME participation
The optimal participation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) will be facilitated across
the thematic areas, in particular by improved financial and administrative procedures and more
flexibility in choosing the appropriate financial scheme. Furthermore, the research needs and
potential of SMEs are duly taken into account in developing the content of the thematic areas of this
Specific Programme and areas which are of particular interest to SMEs will be identified in the
work programme. Concrete measures, including support actions to facilitate SME participation, will
be taken throughout the programme in the framework of a strategy to be developed under each
theme. These strategies will be accompanied by quantitative and qualitative monitoring against the
objectives set. The aim will be to enable at least 15% of the funding available under this programme
to go to SMEs.
Specific actions to support research for the benefit of SMEs or SME associations are included in the
"Capacities" Specific Programme, and actions to promote SME participation across the Framework
Programme will be funded under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme.
Ethical aspects
During the implementation of this Specific Programme and in the research activities arising from it,
fundamental ethical principles are to be respected. These include, inter alia, the principles reflected
in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including the following: protection of human
dignity and human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as animals and the
environment in accordance with Community law and the latest versions of relevant international
conventions, guidelines and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration, the Convention of the
Council of Europe on Human Rights and Biomedicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its
Additional Protocols, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on
the human genome and human rights adopted by UNESCO, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention (BTWC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture,
and the relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions.
Account will also be taken of the Opinions of the European Group of Advisers on the Ethical
Implications of Biotechnology (1991-1997) and the Opinions of the European Group on Ethics in
Science and New Technologies (as from 1998).
In compliance with the principle of subsidiarity and the diversity of approaches existing in Europe,
participants in research projects must conform to current legislation, regulations and ethical rules in
the countries where the research will be carried out. In any case, national provisions apply and no
research forbidden in any given Member State or other country will be supported by Community
The Protocol on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty requires that the
Community pays full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and
implementing Community policies including research. Council Directive 86/609/EEC on the
protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes requires that all
experiments be designed to avoid distress and unnecessary pain and suffering to the experimental
animals; use the minimum number of animals; involve animals with the lowest degree of
neurophysiological sensitivity; and cause the least pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Altering
the genetic heritage of animals and cloning of animals may be considered only if the aims are
ethically justified and the conditions are such that the animals' welfare is guaranteed and the
principles of biodiversity are respected.
During the implementation of this programme, scientific advances and national and international
provisions will be regularly monitored by the Commission so as to take account of any
developments.
Research on ethics related to scientific and technological developments will be carried out in the
"Science in Society" part of the "Capacities" Specific Programme.
Collaborative research
Collaborative research will constitute the bulk and the core of Community research funding. The
objective is to establish, in the major fields of advancement of knowledge, excellent research
Joint Technology Initiatives
In a very limited number of cases, the scope of a RTD objective and the scale of the resources
involved justify setting up long term public private partnerships in the form of Joint Technology
Initiatives. These initiatives, mainly resulting from the work of European Technology Platforms and
covering one or a small number of selected aspects of research in their field, will combine private
sector investment and national and European public funding, including grant funding from the
Research Framework Programme and loan finance from the European Investment Bank. Each Joint
Technology Initiative will be decided individually, either on the basis of Article 171 of the Treaty
(this may include the creation of a joint undertaking) or on the basis of a modification of this
Specific Programme in accordance with Article 166 (3) of the Treaty.
Joint Technology Initiatives are identified in an open and transparent way on the basis of a series of
criteria including:
-
-Inability of existing instruments to achieve the objective.
-
-Scale of the impact on industrial competitiveness and growth.
-
-Added value of European-level intervention;
-
-The degree and clarity of definition of the objective and deliverables to be pursued;
-
-Strength of the financial and resource commitment from industry;
-
-Importance of the contribution to broader policy objectives;
An indicative list of Joint Technology Initiatives is identified in Annex IV and could be the subject
of separate proposals. Further Joint Technology Initiatives may be identified on the basis of the
above criteria and be proposed during the implementation of the 7th Framework Programme.
Co-ordination of non-Community research programmes
The action undertaken in this field will make use of two main tools: the ERA-NET scheme and the
participation of the Community in jointly implemented national research programmes (Treaty
Article 169). The action will also be used to enhance the complementarity and synergy between the
Framework Programme and activities carried out in the framework of intergovernmental structures
such as EUREKA, EIROforum and COST. Financial support for the administration and
coordination activities of COST will be provided so that COST can continue to contribute to
coordination and exchanges between nationally funded research teams.
Where the actions are within the scope of one of the themes, they will be supported as an integral
part of the activities under that theme. Where the actions are of a horizontal nature, they will be
supported jointly across all of the relevant themes.11
Where the actions are within the scope of another Specific Programme implementing the
7th Framework Programme, they will be supported under that Specific Programme.
The ERA-NET scheme will develop and strengthen the coordination of national and regional
-
-In a limited number of cases providing additional Community financial support to those
participants that pool resources for the purpose of joint calls for proposals between their
respective national and regional programmes ("ERA-NET PLUS").12
The participation of the Community in national research programmes jointly implemented on the
basis of Article 169 is especially relevant to European co-operation on a large scale in "variable
geometry" between Member States sharing common needs and/or interests. In well identified cases,
such Article 169 initiatives will be launched in areas identified in close association with the
Member States, including the possible cooperation with intergovernmental programmes, on the
basis of the criteria defined in the 7th Framework Programme decision.
An indicative list of initiatives for the joint implementation of national research programmes are
identified in the description in Annex IV and could be the subject of a separate decision on the basis
of Article 169 of the Treaty. Further initiatives may be identified and proposed during the
implementation of the 7th Framework Programme.
International co-operation
International cooperation actions will support an international Science and Technology policy that
has two interdependent objectives:
The international scientific cooperation policy of the Community will stress and develop
cooperation to generate, share and use knowledge through equitable research partnerships taking
into account the country, regional and socio-economic context and knowledge base of partner
countries. The strategic approach is to enhance EU competitiveness and global sustainable
development through such partnerships between the EU and third countries at bilateral, regional and
global levels based on mutual interest and benefit. To this end the EU's role as a global player
should be also promoted through multilateral international research programmes. The international
cooperation actions supported will be connected to mainstream policy issues in order to support
fulfilling international commitments of the EU and contribute to sharing European values,
competitiveness, socio-economic progress, environmental protection and welfare under the
umbrella of global sustainable development.
International cooperation will be implemented in this Specific Programme in each thematic area and
across themes through:
· An enhanced participation of researchers and research institutions from third countries, with
appropriate restrictions for the security theme due to the confidentiality aspects, in the
thematic areas, from all International Cooperation Partner countries and industrialised
countries13. In addition there will be a particular emphasis to encourage third country
participation in identified areas of mutual interest.
· Specific co-operation actions in each thematic area dedicated to third countries in the case of
These actions will serve as privileged tools for implementing the co-operation between the
Community and these countries14. Such actions are, in particular, actions aiming at reinforcing
the research capacities and cooperative capacities of candidate, neighbourhood, and
developing and emerging countries. The actions will be the subject of targeted calls and
particular attention will be paid to facilitating access of the relevant third countries, notably
developing countries, to the actions.
These activities will be implemented in coordination with international cooperation actions under
the "People" and the "Capacities" specific programmes. An overall strategy for International
Cooperation within the Framework Programme will underpin this activity.
THEMES
-
1.Health
Objective
Improving the health of European citizens and increasing the competitiveness of European
health-related industries and businesses, while addressing global health issues including
emerging epidemics. Emphasis will be put on translational research (translation of basic
discoveries in clinical applications including scientific validation of experimental results), the
development and validation of new therapies, methods for health promotion and prevention
including promotion of healthy ageing, diagnostic tools and medical technologies, as well as
sustainable and efficient health care systems.
Approach
This research will advance our understanding on how to more efficiently promote good health, to
reduce the health differences across Europe, to prevent and treat major diseases and to deliver
health care. Basic biomedical research will be an integral part of this theme; multidisciplinary
approaches are of particular importance in the health theme.
This research will help integrate the vast amount of genomics, epidemiological, biological and
This research will help improve the competitiveness of European health care biotechnology and
medical technology sectors, where SMEs are the main economic drivers, and pharmaceutical
industries. It can include support to the European Technology Platform16 on innovative medicines,
aiming at overcoming the research bottlenecks in the drug development process. Special attention
will be given to bridging the gap between research activities and exploitation by providing support
for demonstrating proof of concept and clinical validation. This research will also contribute to the
development of norms and standards for new advanced therapies (e.g. regenerative medicine)
needed to help EU industry face worldwide competition.
Gender aspects in research will be considered and integrated in the projects17 whenever appropriate.
Special attention will be given to communicating research outcomes and engaging in dialogue with
civil society, in particular with patient groups, at the earliest possible stage, of new developments
arising from biomedical and genetics research. A wide dissemination and use of the results will also
be assured.
The strategic issues, child health18 and the health of the ageing population will receive specific
attention across the three main blocks of activities set out below, with priorities highlighted in the
work programme. Other multi-disciplinary areas will also be included. This will ensure a visible
and coherent approach to these issues across the Theme, whilst avoiding duplication.
Ethical, legal and socio-economic issues will be taken into account within each of the following
activities.19
Activities
· Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health
This activity aims at developing and validating the necessary tools and technologies that will make
possible the production of new knowledge and its translation into practical applications in the area
of health and medicine.
-
-High-throughput research: in the context of catalysing progress, to develop new research
tools for modern biology including fundamental genomics that will enhance significantly data
generation and improve data and specimen (biobanks) standardisation, acquisition and
analysis. The focus will be on new technologies for: sequencing; gene expression, genotyping
and phenotyping; structural and functional genomics; bioinformatics and systems biology;
other "omics".
-
-Detection, diagnosis and monitoring: to develop visualisation, imaging, detection and
analytical tools and technologies for biomedical research, for prediction, diagnosis,
monitoring and prognosis of diseases, and for support and guidance of therapeutic
interventions. The focus will be on a multidisciplinary approach integrating areas such as:
-
-Predicting suitability, safety and efficacy of therapies: to develop and validate the parameters,
tools, methods and standards needed for bringing to the patient safe and effective new or
improved biomedicines20. The focus will be on approaches such as pharmacogenomics,
developing and validating biological markers, targeting and delivery approaches, in silico, in
vitro (including alternatives to animal testing) and in vivo methods and models.21
-
-Innovative therapeutic approaches and interventions: to consolidate and ensure further
developments in advanced therapies and technologies with broad potential application. The
focus will be on gene and cell therapy, regenerative medicine, transplantation,
immunotherapy and vaccines, and other medicines. Related technologies, such as advanced
targeted delivery systems, advanced implants and prosthetics, and non- or minimally-invasive
technology-assisted interventions will also be addressed.
· Translating research for human health
This activity aims at increasing knowledge of biological processes and mechanisms involved in
normal health and in specific disease situations, to transpose this knowledge into clinical
applications including disease control and treatment, and to ensure that clinical including
epidemiological data guide further research.
-
-Research on the brain and related diseases, human development and ageing.
· Brain and brain-related diseases: to better understand the integrated structure and
dynamics of the brain, and to study brain diseases including relevant age related illness
(e.g. dementia) and search for new therapies. The focus will be to explore brain
functions, from molecules to cognition including neuroinformatics, and to address
neurological and psychiatric diseases and disorders, including regenerative and
restorative therapeutic approaches.
· Human development and ageing: to better understand the process of life-long
development and healthy ageing. The focus will be on the study of human and model
systems, including interactions with factors such as environment, genetics, behaviour
and gender.
-
-Translational research in major infectious diseases: to confront major threats to public
health.
· Anti-microbial drug resistance including fungal pathogens: the focus will be on
combining basic research on molecular mechanisms of resistance, microbial ecology
and host-pathogen interactions with clinical research towards new interventions to
reduce the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant infections.
· Potentially new and re-emerging epidemics: the focus will be on confronting emerging
pathogens with pandemic potential including zoonoses (e.g. SARS and highly
pathogenic influenza). Where appropriate, provisions will be made for rapidly initiating
collaborative research aimed at expediting development of new diagnostics, drugs and
vaccines for efficient prevention, treatment, and control of infectious disease
emergencies.
-
-Translational research in other major diseases.
· Cancer: the focus will be on disease aetiology; identifying and validating drug targets
and biological markers that aid in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment; and
assessing the effectiveness of preventive prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic
interventions.
· Cardiovascular disease: the focus will be on diagnosis, prevention, treatment and
monitoring of heart and blood vessel diseases (including vascular aspects of stroke)
using broad multidisciplinary approaches.
· Diabetes and obesity: for the former, the focus will be on aetiologies of the different
types of diabetes, and their related prevention and treatment. For the later, the focus will
be on multidisciplinary approaches including genetics, life style and epidemiology.
· Optimising the delivery of health care to European citizens
This activity aims at providing the necessary basis both for informed policy decisions on health
systems and for more effective and efficient evidence-based strategies of health promotion, disease
prevention, diagnosis and therapy.
-
-Translating clinical research outcome into clinical practice including better use of medicines,
and appropriate use of behavioural and organisational interventions and health therapies and
technologies. Special attention will be given to patient safety including adverse effects of
medication: to identify the best clinical practice; to understand decision making in clinical
settings in primary and specialised care; and to foster applications of evidence-based medicine
and patient empowerment. Focus will be on the benchmarking of strategies; investigating
outcomes of different interventions including medicines and new health technologies, taking
into consideration pharmacovigilance evidence, specificities of the patient (e.g. genetic
susceptibility, age, gender and adherence) and cost benefits.
-
-Quality, efficiency and solidarity of health care systems including transitional health systems,
to allow countries to learn from the experience of other health systems, taking into account
the importance of national contexts and population characteristics (ageing, mobility,
migration, education, socioeconomic status and the changing world of work etc). Focus will
be on organisational, financial and regulatory aspects of health systems (assessing the cost,
efficiency and benefits of different interventions including as regards patient safety), their
International cooperation
International cooperation is an integral part of the Theme and is of particular importance for areas
addressing global health problems, such as anti-microbial resistance, HIV/AIDS, malaria,
tuberculosis and emerging pandemics. This may also involve priority setting in the context of
international initiatives, such as the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise. Subject to the consolidation of
a long-term sustainable partnership in clinical research between Europe and Developing countries,
further support will be provided22 to the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials
Partnership (EDCTP) in response to its achievements and future needs.23 The EDCTP programme
will remain focused on advanced clinical testing for the development of new vaccines, microbicides
and drugs against the three diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
Specific cooperation actions will be implemented in the areas formulated through bi-regional
dialogues in third Countries/Regions and international fora, as well as within the context of
Millennium Development Goals. Such priority areas adapted to local needs and through
partnerships may include: health policy research, health systems and health care service research,
maternal and child health, reproductive health, control and surveillance of neglected communicable
diseases and emerging unforeseen policy needs in those regions.
An annual subscription to the international Human Frontier Science Programme Organisation
(HFSPO)24 will be made jointly with the "Information and Communication Technologies" theme.
This will allow EU non-G8 Member States to fully benefit from the Human Frontier Science
Responding to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
Research on emerging needs will be implemented on the basis of "bottom up" and "focussed"
initiatives, in coordination with other Themes and this will include a broad and inter-disciplinary
research portfolio. Support for unforeseen European Union policy needs may address, for example
occupational health and safety, health impact assessment, risk assessment, statistical indicators,
management and communication in the public health domain, as well as obligations under
international health treaties including the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control25 and the
International Health Regulations26. This will complement the health policy-driven research
-
2.Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology
Objective
Building a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy27 by bringing together science, industry
and other stakeholders, to exploit new and emerging research opportunities that address
social, environmental and economic challenges: the growing demand for safer, healthier,
higher quality food and for sustainable use and production of renewable bio-resources, the
increasing risk of epizootic and zoonotic diseases and food related disorders; threats to the
sustainability and security of agricultural, aquaculture and fisheries production; and the
increasing demand for high quality food, taking into account animal welfare and rural
context and response to specific dietary needs of consumers.
Approach
This theme will strengthen the knowledge base, deliver the innovations and provide policy support
for building and developing a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE). Research will
focus on the sustainable management, production and use of biological resources, in particular
through life sciences and biotechnology and the convergence with other technologies, to provide
new, safe, affordable, eco-efficient and competitive products from European agriculture, fisheries,
aquaculture, feed, food28, health, forest based and related industries. Research will make important
contributions to the implementation and formulation of EU policies and regulations and specifically
Recognising the multifunctional role of agriculture, research will support the role and opportunities
for rural economies to deliver sustainable development objectives.
Agro-food industries, of which 90% are SMEs, will particularly benefit from many research
activities, including targeted dissemination and technology transfer activities, in particular as
regards the integration and uptake of advanced eco-efficient technologies, methodologies and
processes and the development of standards. High-tech start-ups from the bio-, nano- and ICT are
expected to provide important contributions to the areas of plant breeding, improved crops and plant
protection, advanced detection and monitoring technologies for ensuring food safety and quality,
and new industrial bioprocesses.
Several European Technology Platforms, covering the areas of plant genomics and biotechnology,
forestry and forest based industries, global animal health, farm animal breeding, food, aquaculture
and industrial biotechnology, can contribute in setting common research priorities for this theme, in
identifying possible future large scale initiatives such as demonstration projects, and help ensure
broad participation and integration of all stakeholders. Actions to enhance the co-ordination of
national research programmes will be pursued wherever appropriate, in close co-ordination with
ERA-Net projects, Technology Platforms and other relevant actors, such as the Standing Committee
on Agricultural Research (SCAR) or any future European maritime research co-ordination structure.
Consideration of the social, ethical, gender, legal, environmental, economic and wider cultural
aspects and potential risks and impacts (foresight) of the scientific and technological development
Activities
Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest, and
aquatic environments29
-
-Enabling research on the key long term drivers of sustainable production and management of
biological resources (micro-organisms, plants and animals) including the exploitation of
biodiversity and of novel bioactive molecules within these biological systems. Research will
include 'omics' technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and converging
technologies, and their integration within systems biology approaches, as well as the
development of basic tools and technologies, including bioinformatics and relevant databases,
and methodologies for identifying varieties within species groups.
-
-Increased sustainability and competitiveness, while decreasing environmental impacts, in
agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture through the development of new
technologies, equipment, monitoring systems, novel plants and production systems, the
improvement of the scientific and technical basis of fisheries management, and a better
understanding of the interaction between different systems (agriculture and forestry; fisheries
and aquaculture) across a whole ecosystem approach. Research into maintenance of
autochthonous ecosystems, development of biocontrol agents, and microbiological dimension
of biodiversity and metagenomics will be undertaken. For land based biological resources,
special emphasis will be placed on low input (e.g. pesticides and fertilisers), and organic
Plant health and crop protection will be improved through better understanding of ecology,
biology of pests, diseases, weeds and other threats of phytosanitary relevance and support to
controlling disease outbreaks and enhancing sustainable pest and weed management tools and
techniques. For biological resources from aquatic environments, emphasis will be placed on
essential biological functions, safe and environmentally friendly production systems and feeds
of cultured species and on fisheries biology, dynamics of mixed fisheries, interactions
between fisheries activities and the marine ecosystem and on fleet-based, regional and
multi-annual management systems.
-
-Optimised animal health, production and welfare, across agriculture, fisheries and
aquaculture, inter alia through the exploitation of genetic knowledge, new breeding methods,
improved understanding of animal physiology and behaviour and the better understanding and
control of pests, parasites and infectious animal diseases and other threats to the sustainability
and security of food production, including zoonoses. The latter will also be addressed by
developing tools for monitoring, prevention and control, by underpinning and applied
research on vaccines and diagnostics, studying the ecology of known or emerging infectious
agents and other threats, including malicious acts, and impacts of different farming systems
and climate. New knowledge for the safe disposal of animal waste and improved management
of by-products will also be developed.
-
-Providing the tools needed by policy makers and other actors to support the implementation
of relevant strategies, policies and legislation and in particular to support the building of the
· Fork to farm: Food, health and well being
-
-Understanding consumer behaviour and consumer preferences as a major factor in the
competitiveness of the food industry and the impact of food on the health, and well-being of
the European citizen. The focus will be on consumer perception and attitudes towards food
including traditional food, understanding societal trends, and identifying determinants of food
choice and consumer access to food. The research will include the development of data bases
on food and nutrition research.
-
-Understanding beneficial and harmful dietary factors as well as the specific needs and habits
of population groups as a major controllable factor in the development and reduction of
occurrence of diet-related diseases and disorders including obesity and allergies. This will
involve the investigation of new dietary strategies, the development and application of
nutrigenomics and systems biology, and the study of the interactions between nutrition,
physiological and psychological functions. It could lead to reformulation of processed foods,
and development of novel foods and ingredients, dietetic foods and foods with nutritional and
health claims. The investigation of traditional, local, and seasonal foods and diets will also be
important to highlight the impact of certain foods and diets on health, and to develop
integrated food guidance.
-
-Optimising innovation in the European food industry through the integration of advanced
technologies into traditional food production including fermented food, tailored process
-
-Assuring chemical and microbiological safety and improving quality in the European food
supply. This will include understanding the links between microbial ecology and food safety;
developing methods and models addressing the integrity of the food supply chains; new
detection methods, traceability and its further development, technologies and tools for risk
assessment, including emerging risks, management, and communication, as well as enhancing
the understanding of risk perception. This will also include science based methods for risk
benchmarking in the field of food safety.
-
-Protecting both human health and the environment through a better understanding of the
environmental impacts on and of food/feed chains. This will involve study of food
contaminants and health outcomes, monitoring of environmental effects, developing enhanced
tools and methods for the assessment and management of impacts of food and feed chains on
the environment. Assuring quality and the integrity of the food chain requires new models for
commodity chain analysis and total food chain management concepts, including consumer
aspects.
· Life sciences and biotechnology for sustainable non-food products and processes
-
-Strengthening the knowledge base and develop advanced technologies for terrestrial or marine
biomass production for applications in industrial processes and in energy production. This
will include plant, animal and microbial genomics and metabolomics to improve the
productivity and composition of raw materials and biomass feedstocks for optimised
-
-Addressing the application of industrial biotechnologies within whole crop and forest biomass
chains to realise the full potential of the bio-refinery approach (e.g. green chemicals),
including socioeconomic, agronomic, and ecological and consumer aspects. This will be
enhanced by an increased understanding and control of plant and microbial metabolism at the
cellular and sub-cellular level, and how this is integrated into whole system performance in
the production of high value commodities deploying bio-processes with increased yield,
quality and purity of conversion products, including biocatalytic process design.
-
-Using or developing biotechnologies for novel and improved high quality, high added value
and renewable forest-based products and processes will be used or developed to increase
sustainability of wood and wood production, including timber, renewable materials and
bioenergy stocks.
-
-Addressing the potential of biotechnology to detect, monitor, prevent, treat and remove
pollution.
-
-Maximising the economic value of waste and by-products through new and potentially
energy-saving bio-processes, alone or in combination with plant systems and/or chemical
catalysts.
Furthermore, multilateral co-operation will be carried out to address either challenges requiring
broad international efforts, such as the dimension and complexity of systems biology in plants and
micro-organisms, or to address global challenges and EU international commitments (security and
safety of food and drinking water, global spread of animal diseases, equitable use of biodiversity,
the restoration of world fisheries to Maximum Sustainable Yield by 2015 and the influence of/on
climate change).
Responding to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
Research on emerging needs may address, for example, the development of new concepts and
technologies, such as on crisis management systems and the integrity of the food chain.
A flexible response to unforeseen policy needs will take particular account of relevant policies for
building a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy.
-
3.Information and Communication Technologies
Objective
Improve the competitiveness of European industry and enable Europe to master and shape
the future developments of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) so that the
demands of its society and economy are met. Activities will strengthen Europe's scientific and
technology base and ensure its global leadership in ICT, help drive and stimulate innovation
through ICT use and ensure that ICT progress is rapidly transformed into benefits for
Europe's citizens, businesses, industry and governments.
Approach
Information and communication technologies (ICT) play a unique, proven role in fostering
innovation, creativity and competitiveness of all industry and service sectors. They are essential for
addressing key societal challenges and modernising public services and they underpin progress in
all science and technology fields. Europe must therefore master and shape the future developments
of ICT and ensure that ICT-based services and products are taken up and used to deliver the
maximum possible benefits for citizens and businesses.
These are the targets of the Union's Information Society policy, as highlighted in the
i2010 initiative, aiming at a competitive convergent information economy in Europe, a significant
The ICT theme prioritises strategic research around key technology pillars, ensures end-to-end
integration of technologies and provides the knowledge and the means to develop a wide range of
innovative ICT applications. The activities will leverage industrial and technological advance in the
ICT sector and improve the competitive edge of important ICT-intensive sectors both through
innovative high-value ICT-based products and services and from new or improved organisational
processes in businesses and administrations alike. The theme will also support other policies of the
European Union, by mobilising ICT to meet public and societal demands.
Activities will cover collaboration and networking actions and could support Joint Technology
Initiatives30 and national programme co-ordination initiatives31. The priorities of the activities will
include topics relying, among other sources, on the work of European Technology Platforms.
Thematic synergies will also be developed with related activities in other Specific Programmes.
The active participation of small and medium-sized enterprises and other small entities in the
activities is essential given their role in promoting innovation. They play vital roles in the
development and nurturing of new visions in ICT and their applications and in transforming them
Activities
· ICT Technology Pillars:
-
-Nano-electronics, photonics and integrated micro/nano-systems: process, device, design and
testing technologies and methodologies to improve size, density, performance, energy
efficiency, manufacturing and cost-effectiveness for components, systems-on-a-chip,
systems-in-a-package and integrated systems; basic photonic components for wide range of
applications including ultra fast components; radio frequency (RF) systems;
high-performance/high-density data storage systems; very large area/highly integrated display
solutions; sensing, actuating, vision and imaging devices; ultra low power systems, alternative
energy sources/storage; heterogeneous technologies/systems integration; smart systems;
multi-functional integrated micro-nano-bio-info systems; large-area electronics32; integration
in different materials/objects; interfacing with living organisms; (self-)assembly of molecules
or atoms into stable structures.
-
-Ubiquitous and unlimited capacity communication networks: cost-effective, reconfigurable
and flexible mobile and broadband network technologies, systems and architectures, including
terrestrial and satellite networks; convergence of different fixed, mobile, wireless and
broadcasting networks and services spanning from the personal area to the regional and global
area; interoperability of wired and wireless communications services and applications,
management of networked resources, service reconfigurability; complex networking of ad-
-
-Embedded systems, computing and control: more powerful, secure, distributed, reliable and
efficient hardware/software systems that can perceive, control and adapt to their environment
while optimising the use of resources; methods and tools for system modelling, analysis,
design, engineering and validation to master complexity; open composable architectures and
scale-free platforms, middleware and distributed operating systems to enable truly seamless
collaborative and ambient intelligent environments for sensing, actuation, computing,
communication, storage, and service delivery; computing architectures incorporating
heterogeneous, networked and reconfigurable components including compilation,
programming and run-time support, high performance systems and services; control of
large-scale, distributed, uncertain systems.
-
-Software, Grids, security and dependability: technologies, tools and methods for dynamic and
trusted software, architectures and middleware systems that underpin knowledge-intensive
services, including their provision as utilities; service-oriented, interoperable and scale-free
infrastructures, grid-like virtualisation of resources, including domain-specific platforms,
network-centric operating systems; open source software; open platforms and collaborative
approaches for development and validation of software, services and systems; composition
tools including programming languages; mastering emergent behaviours of complex systems;
improving dependability and resilience of large-scale, distributed and intermittently connected
systems and services; secure and trusted systems and services, including privacy-aware access
control and authentication, dynamic security and trust policies, dependability and trust meta-
-
-Simulation, visualisation, interaction and mixed realities: tools for modelling, simulation,
visualisation, interaction, virtual, augmented and mixed reality and their integration in
end-to-end environments; tools for innovative design and for creativity in products, services
and digital audio-visual media; more natural, intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces and new
ways to interact with technology, machines, devices and other artefacts; language technology
including multilingual and automatic machine translation systems.
-
-New perspectives in ICT drawing on other science and technology disciplines (physics,
materials, biotechnologies, life-sciences, cognitive and social sciences, the humanities etc.)
are provided in the whole of the ICT theme. These are bringing breakthroughs that lead to
innovation in ICT and to entirely new industry and service sectors. They span from
miniaturisation of ICT devices to sizes compatible and interacting with living organisms (like
novel ICT components and computing systems based on synthetic biomolecular structures), to
new computing and communication sciences inspired by the living world, to fully
eco-compatible ICT devices inspired by natural systems, and to modelling and simulation of
the living world (like simulation of human physiology across several biological levels).
· Integration of Technologies:
-
-Personal environments: integration of multimodal interfaces, sensing techniques and
micro-systems, personal communication and computing devices, ICT systems embodied in
personal accessories, wearable systems and implants and their connection to services and
-
-Intelligent infrastructures: ICT tools making critical infrastructures more efficient and
user-friendly, easier to adapt and maintain, more robust to usage and resistant to failures; data
integration tools; ICT for systemic risk assessment, early warning and automated alerts,
planning and decision support.
· Applications Research:
-
-ICT meeting societal challenges: To ensure that all European citizens can reap the maximum
benefit from ICT products and services, to improve inclusiveness, seamless access and
interactivity of services of public interest, and to strengthen the innovation role of public
sector services, improving their efficiency and effectiveness.
-
-for health: personal non-obtrusive systems that enable citizens to manage their well-being
such as wearable or implantable monitoring devices and autonomous systems for supporting a
healthy state; emerging techniques such as molecular imaging for improved prevention and
individualised medicine; health knowledge discovery and application in clinical practice;
modelling and simulation of organ functions; micro- and nano-robotic devices for minimally
invasive surgical and therapeutic applications;
-
-for governments: use of ICT in an interdisciplinary approach in public administrations
combined with organisational change and new skills in order to deliver innovative,
citizen-centric services for all; advanced ICT based research and solutions to improve
-
-for mobility: integrated ICT-based safety systems for vehicles33 based on open, secure and
dependable architectures and interfaces; interoperable co-operative systems for efficient, safe
and environment-friendly transport, based on communication between vehicles and with the
transport infrastructure and integrating accurate and robust location and navigation
technologies; personalised, location-aware info-mobility and multi-modal services, including
intelligent service solutions for tourism;
-
-in support of the environment, risk management and sustainable development: risk and
emergency management; smart sensor networks to improve hazard forecasting, natural
resources management including systems for reduction of pollutants; increasing energy
efficiency; managing human response to environmental stresses and to sustain biodiversity;
alert systems and timely and reliable public safety communication; assistive technologies and
support systems for operation under harsh, hazardous or risky conditions; eco-efficient and
sustainable production of ICT: advanced data and information management for environmental
monitoring and risk assessment, contributing to INSPIRE; GMES and GEOSS.
-
-ICT for content, creativity and personal development:
-
-novel forms of interactive, non-linear and self-adaptive content including for
entertainment and for design; creativity and enriched user-experience; cross-media
content customisation and delivery; combining all-digital content production and
management with emerging semantic technologies; user-oriented use, access to and
-
-intelligent services for access to cultural heritage in digital form; access to and use of
scientific resources; tools for communities to create new cultural memory based on
living heritage; methods and tools for preservation of digital content; making digital
objects usable by future users whilst keeping authenticity and integrity of their original
creation and context of use.
-
-ICT supporting businesses and industry:
-
-dynamic, network-oriented business systems for product and service creation and
delivery; decentralised control and management of intelligent items; digital business
ecosystems, in particular software solutions (also based on grids) adaptable to the needs
of small- and medium-sized organisations; collaboration services for distributed
context-aware workspaces; augmented group presence, group management and sharing
support; knowledge sharing and interactive services;
-
-manufacturing including traditional industry: networked intelligent controls for
high-precision manufacturing and low-resource utilisation; wireless automation and
logistics for rapid plant reconfiguration; integrated environments for modelling,
simulation, optimisation, presentation and virtual production; manufacturing
technologies for miniaturised ICT systems and for systems interwoven with all kinds of
International cooperation
International cooperation will be encouraged in the ICT theme to address issues of common interest
aiming at interoperable solutions with strategic partners with high mutual benefits, and to contribute
to the spread of the information society in emerging economies and developing countries. Specific
actions will be identified for the countries or regions with which Europe needs to focus
collaboration, with a particular emphasis on cooperation with emerging economies and developing
countries and neighbourhood countries.
A subscription will be made available jointly with theme 1 "Health" to the international Human
Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) to promote interdisciplinary research and novel collaborations
between scientists from different fields, and provide the possibility for non-G8 Member States to
fully benefit from the programme.
Activities under this Theme support the Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) scheme, which
allows RTD cooperation between its member regions34.
Responding to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
A Future and Emerging Technologies activity will attract and foster trans-disciplinary research
excellence in emerging ICT-related research domains. Foci include: exploring the new
miniaturisation and computing frontiers including for example the exploitation of quantum effects;
Research that aims at better understanding trends and impacts of ICT on society and the economy
may include, for example: impacts of ICT on productivity, employment, skills and wages; ICT as a
driver for innovation in public and business services; obstacles to wider and faster innovation and
use of ICT; new business models and exploitation paths; usability, utility and acceptability of
ICT-based solutions; privacy, security and trust of ICT infrastructures; ethical issues of ICT
developments; links to ICT-related legal, regulatory and governance frameworks; analyses of ICT
support to, and impact on, EU policies.
-
4.Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies
Objective
Improve the competitiveness of European industry and generate knowledge to ensure its
transformation from a resource-intensive to a knowledge-intensive industry, by generating
step changes in knowledge and implementing decisive knowledge for new applications at the
crossroads between different technologies and disciplines. This will benefit both new,
high-tech industries and higher-value, knowledge-based traditional industries, with a special
focus to the appropriate dissemination of RTD results to SMEs. These activities are concerned
with enabling technologies which impact all industrial sectors and many other FP7 Themes.
Approach
To enhance its competitiveness, European industry needs radical innovations. It must concentrate its
capabilities on high-added-value products, related processes and technologies to meet customer
requirements, as well as environmental, health and other societal expectations. Research is integral
to meeting these competing challenges. The competitiveness of the industry of the future will
largely depend on nano-technologies and their applications. RTD in nano-sciences and
nano-technologies taken up by several areas can accelerate European industry's transformation. The
EU has recognised leadership in fields such as in nano-sciences, nano-technologies, materials and
production technologies which must be strengthened in order to secure and increase the EU position
The medium term approach is to focus on a convergence of knowledge and skills drawn from
different disciplines exploiting application-driven scientific and technological synergies. In the long
term the theme aims to capitalise on the enormous prospects of nanosciences and nanotechnologies
for the creation of a true knowledge-based industry and economy. In both cases it will be essential
to ensure uptake of the knowledge generated through effective dissemination and use of the results.
Strong contributions to industrial needs and complementarities through initiatives and funded
projects will be ensured in particular through activities like the European Technology Platforms
(e.g. in the potential areas of sustainable chemistry, new manufacturing, industrial safety,
nano-medicine, steel, forest-based sector etc) and possible support to Joint Technology Initiatives.
The theme is particularly relevant to SMEs due to their needs and role in advancing and using
technologies. Areas of particular relevance include: nano-instruments35, -tools, and -devices as well
as aero-space systems (due to the concentration of high-growth, knowledge-intensive SMEs in these
sectors); technical textiles including their coating, (typical of a traditional sector undergoing a rapid
transformation process affecting many SMEs); mechanical industries (e.g. machine tools- where
European SMEs are world leaders); high added value chemicals, as well as other sectors which
involve many SMEs that will benefit from the introduction of new business models, materials and
products.
Specific actions to coordinate programmes and joint activities conducted at national and regional
level will be carried out through the ERA-NET and ERA-NET PLUS schemes so as to promote
Activities
· Nanosciences and nanotechnologies
The objective is to create materials and systems with pre-defined properties and behaviour, based
on increased knowledge and experience with matter at the nano scale. This will lead to a new
generation of high added-value, competitive products and services with superior performance across
a range of applications, while minimising any potential adverse environmental and health impacts.
Interdisciplinarity, integrating theoretical and experimental approaches, will be promoted.
The focus will be:
-
-new knowledge on the interactions of atoms, molecules and their aggregations with both
natural and artificial entities;
-
-realization of nanostructures, systems or materials using this knowledge;
-
-activities aiming at understanding or imitating the natural processes at nanometric scale;
-
-processes for nano-fabrication, surface functionalization, thin layers, self assembling
properties;
-
-methods and processes for measuring and characterization.
The research will also address the relevant instruments, tools, pilot lines and demonstration
activities required for highly novel approaches to nanotechnology-based manufacturing in the most
· Materials
New advanced materials and surfaces with higher knowledge content, new functionalities and
improved performance are increasingly critical for industrial competitiveness and sustainable
development. According to the new models of manufacturing industry, it is the materials
themselves which are becoming the first step in increasing the value of products and their
performance, rather than the processing steps.
Research will focus on developing new knowledge-based multifunctional surfaces and materials
with tailored properties and predictable performance for new products and processes as well as for
their repair. The emphasis will be on high performance multifunctional materials with a wide range
of applications.
This requires the control of intrinsic properties and performance, processing and production, and
taking into account potential impacts on health and the environment throughout their entire life-
cycle. Emphasis will be placed on new advanced materials37 and systems obtained using the
potential of nanotechnologies and biotechnologies and/or "learning from nature", in particular
higher performance nano-materials, bio-materials and hybrid materials including engineered
nano-composites.
A multidisciplinary approach will be fostered, involving chemistry, physics, engineering sciences
including computational modelling and increasingly the biological sciences. Materials
· New Production
A new approach to manufacturing is required for the transformation of EU industry from a resource
intensive to a sustainable knowledge-based industrial environment and will depend on the adoption
of totally new attitudes towards the continued acquisition, deployment, protection and funding of
new knowledge and its use, including towards sustainable production and consumption patterns.
This entails creating the right conditions for industry to engage in continuous innovation (in
industrial activities and production systems, including design, construction, devices, and services)
and for developing generic production "assets" (technologies, organisation and production facilities
as well as human resources) while also meeting safety and environmental requirements.
The activities will focus on:
-
-the development and validation of new industrial models and strategies covering all aspects of
product and process life-cycle;
-
-adaptive production systems that overcome existing process limitations and enable new
manufacturing and processing methods;
-
-networked production to develop tools and methods for co-operative and value-added
operations at a global scale;
-
-tools for the rapid transfer and integration of new technologies into the design and operation
of manufacturing processes;
· Integration of technologies for industrial applications
The integration of knowledge and technologies of the three areas of research above is essential in
order to speed up the transformation of European industry and its economy, while adopting a safe,
socially responsible and sustainable approach.
The research will focus on new applications and novel, step-change solutions responding to major
challenges, as well as to the RTD needs identified by the different European Technology Platforms.
The integration of new knowledge from nano-, materials-, and production-technologies will be
supported in sectoral and cross-sectoral applications such as health, food, construction and building
including cultural heritage, aero-space industry, transport, energy, chemistry, environment,
information and communication, textiles, clothing and footwear, forest-based industry, steel,
mechanical and chemical engineering, as well as in the generic subjects of industrial safety and
measurement and testing related to the Technology Platforms concerned.
International cooperation
The increasingly international dimension of industrial research requires a well-coordinated
approach to working with third countries. International cooperation will therefore be important
across the theme.
Specific actions may include: activities with industrialised countries and those having signed a
Responding to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
Research on emerging needs will be implemented notably to develop and consolidate European
capabilities in specific emerging and interdisciplinary research areas with high potential for the
future. Any unforeseen policy needs will be addressed in a flexible way and may, for example,
relate to standardisation, to support the safe transformation towards a knowledge based industry, or
to potential environmental and health impacts of arising from nanotechnologies.
-
5.Energy
Objective
Adapting the current - energy system into a more sustainable one, less dependent of imported
fuels based on a diverse mix of energy sources, in particular renewables and non-polluting
sources, and energy carriers; enhancing energy efficiency, including by rationalising use and
storage of energy; addressing the pressing challenges of security of supply and climate
change, whilst increasing the competitiveness of Europe's industries.
Approach
Current projections in the EU and worldwide show most of the crucial energy indicators
(e.g. energy consumption, fossil fuel dependency, import dependency, CO
2 emissions, energy
prices) to be moving away from a sustainable and reliable energy system. Energy research will
facilitate reversing these trends, striking a balance between increasing the efficiency, affordability,
acceptability and security of existing technologies and sources of energy, whilst simultaneously
aiming at a longer-term paradigm shift in the way Europe generates and consumes energy. Energy
research will thus directly contribute to the success of EU policy and, in particular, the achievement
of current and future EU energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Following a broad technology portfolio approach, in accordance with the conclusions of the green
Strengthening the competitiveness of the European energy sector, in the face of severe global
competition, is an important objective of this Theme, providing the capability for European industry
to maintain and develop its world leadership in key energy technologies. This will require large
R&D efforts and international collaboration. In particular, SMEs are important actors in the energy
sector, play a major role in the energy chain and will be key to promoting innovation. Their strong
participation in research and demonstration activities is essential and will be actively promoted.
The strategic research agendas and deployment strategies developed by European Technology
Platforms are an important input for the research priorities in the Theme. Such platforms are
established on hydrogen and fuel cells and photovoltaics and the concept is being extended to
biofuels, zero emission power generation and future electricity networks and other energy-related
areas. Actions to enhance the co-ordination of national programmes will be pursued wherever
appropriate.
In order to strengthen the diffusion and use of the output of research, the dissemination of
knowledge and transfer of results, including to policy makers, will be supported in all areas. This
will complement actions in the Intelligent Energy - Europe Programme component of the
Competitiveness and Innovation Programme to support innovation and remove non-technological
barriers to the widespread market deployment of demonstrated energy technologies.
The industrial applied research, demonstration and cross-cutting activities of the programme could
be implemented through a Joint Technology Initiative. This strategically managed, goal-oriented
action will be complemented and closely co-ordinated with more upstream collaborative research
effort aimed at achieving breakthrough on critical materials, processes and emerging technologies.
· Renewable electricity generation
Research into, development and demonstration of integrated technologies for electricity production
from renewables, suited to different regional conditions where sufficient economic and technical
potential exists, in order to provide the means to raise substantially the share of renewable
electricity production in the EU. Research should increase overall conversion efficiency, cost
efficiency, significantly drive down the cost of electricity production from indigenous renewable
energy resources including biodegradable fraction of waste, enhance process reliability and further
reduce the environmental impact. Emphasis will be on photovoltaics, wind and biomass including
CHP. Furthermore, research will aim at realising the full potential of other renewable energy
sources: geothermal, thermal solar, ocean (e.g. wave, tidal power) and hydropower.
· Renewable fuel production
Research into, development and demonstration of improved fuel production systems and conversion
technologies for the sustainable production and supply chains of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels
from biomass (incl. biodegradable fraction of waste). Emphasis should be on new types of biofuels
· Renewables for heating and cooling
Research into, development and demonstration of a portfolio of technologies and devices including
storage technologies to increase the potential of active and passive heating and cooling from
renewable energy sources to contribute to sustainable energy. The aim is to achieve substantial cost
reductions, increase efficiencies, further reduce environmental impacts and optimise the use of
technologies in different regional conditions where sufficient economic and technical potential
exists. Research and demonstration should include new systems and components for industrial
applications (incl. thermal seawater desalination), district and/or dedicated space heating and
cooling, building integration and energy storage.
· CO2 capture and storage technologies for zero emission power generation
Fossil fuels will inevitably continue to contribute a significant share of the energy mix for decades
to come. To make this option compatible with the environment, particularly as regards climate
change, drastic reductions in the adverse environmental impacts of fossil fuel use are needed,
aiming at highly efficient power generation with near zero emissions. The research into,
development and demonstration of efficient, cost effective and reliable CO
2 capture and storage
technologies are crucial across different types of CO
2 geological reservoirs, aiming at decreasing
the cost of CO
2 capture and storage to less than 20/tonne, with capture rates above 90%, as well as
proving the long-term stability, safety and reliability of CO
· Smart energy networks
To facilitate the transition to a more sustainable energy system, a wide-ranging R&D effort is
required to increase the efficiency, flexibility, safety, reliability and quality of the European
electricity and gas systems and networks notably within the context of a more integrated European
energy market. For electricity networks, the goals of transforming the current electricity grids into a
resilient and interactive (customers/operators) service network, controlling the real time flows and
removing the obstacles to the large-scale deployment and effective integration of renewable energy
sources and distributed generation (e.g. fuel cells, microturbines, reciprocating engines), will
necessitate the research, development and demonstration of key enabling technologies
(e.g. innovative ICT solutions, storage technologies for RES, power electronics and
superconducting devices) including the development of new control and reliability tools for
electricity systems. For gas networks, the objective is to demonstrate more intelligent and efficient
processes and systems for gas transport and distribution, including the effective integration of
renewable energy sources and the use of biogas in the existing networks.
· Energy efficiency and savings
The vast potential for energy savings and improvements in energy efficiency40 need to be harnessed
through the research into, optimisation, validation and demonstration of new concepts, optimisation
of proved and new concepts and technologies for buildings, services and industry. This incorporates
the combination of sustainable strategies and technologies for increased energy efficiency, the use
· Knowledge for energy policy making
Development of tools, methods and models to assess the main economic and social issues related to
energy technologies. Activities will include the building of databases and scenarios for an enlarged
EU and the assessment of the impact of energy and energy-related policies on security of supply,
environment, society, competitiveness of the energy industry and issues of public acceptability. Of
particular importance is the impact of technological progress on EU policies.
International cooperation
Given the global nature of the challenges, threats and opportunities, international collaboration is an
increasingly important element of energy research. Specific actions will support strategically
important multi-lateral co-operation initiatives, such as the International Partnership for the
Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) and the
Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition (JREC). Other specific actions will be supported,
addressing issues such as the environmental consequences of energy policies, energy supply
inter-dependency, technology transfer and capacity building and will engage with emerging
economies with significant energy needs.
International Scientific Co-operation in the field of energy will also support the aim of the
EU Energy Initiative for poverty eradication and sustainable development (EUEI) launched at the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), namely to contribute to the achievement of
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6.Environment (including Climate Change)
Objective
Sustainable management of the environment and its resources through advancing our
knowledge on the interactions between the biosphere, ecosystems and human activities, and
developing new technologies, tools and services, in order to address in an integrated way
global environmental issues. Emphasis will be put on prediction of climate, ecological, earth
and ocean systems changes; on tools and on technologies for monitoring, prevention,
mitigation and adaptation of environmental pressures and risks including on health, as well as
for the sustainability of the natural and man-made environment.
Approach
Protecting the environment is essential for the quality of life of current and future generations as
well as for economic growth. Given that the Earth's natural resources and the man-made
environment are under pressure from growing population, urbanisation, construction, continuous
expansion of the agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, transport and energy sectors, land use as
well as climate variability and warming at local, regional and global scales, the challenge facing the
EU is to ensure continuous and sustainable growth while at the same time reducing negative
environmental impacts. EU-wide cooperation is motivated by the facts that countries, regions and
cities face common environmental problems and that critical mass is needed given the scale, scope
Research under this topic43 will contribute to the implementation of international commitments of
EU and Member States such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
Kyoto and Montreal protocols, post-Kyoto protocol initiatives, the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Stockholm Convention on persistent
organic pollutants and the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, including the
EU Water Initiative (as well as promoting sustainable production and consumption). It will also
contribute to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Group on the Earth Observation
(GEO) initiative and take into account the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. In addition, it will
support the research needs arising from existing and emerging EU legislation and policies
(e.g. Natura 2000, Reach), the implementation of the 6th Environmental Action Programme,
associated thematic strategies (e.g. marine, soil strategies) and other emerging strategies (e.g. the
mercury strategy), and the action plans on Environmental Technologies and on Environment and
Health.
The promotion of innovative environmental technologies will contribute to achieving sustainable
use of resources, to mitigating and adapting to climate change, and to protecting the ecosystems and
the man-made environment. Research will also contribute to technological developments that will
improve the market positioning of European enterprises, in particular of SMEs, in areas such as
environmental technologies. European Technology Platforms, such as those on water supply and
sanitation, sustainable chemistry, construction, and forestry, confirm the need for EU level action
and the implementation of relevant parts of their research agendas will be supported in the activities
Where relevant, integrated concepts, tools and management strategies will be developed under the
activities below. Coordination with cross-cutting issues45 will be ensured. Activities will take the
socio-economic aspects of policies and technologies into account where relevant.
Activities
· Climate change, pollution, and risks
-
-Pressures on environment and climate
Integrated research on the functioning of climate and the earth system is needed in order to observe
and analyse how these systems evolved in the past and predict their future evolution including
observations, experimental studies and advanced modelling and taking into account the
anthropogenic forcing. This will enable the development of effective adaptation and mitigation
measures to climate change and its impacts. Advanced climate change models from the global to the
local scale will be developed and validated. These models will be applied to assess changes,
potential impacts and critical thresholds (e.g. for ocean acidity). Changes in atmospheric
composition and in the water cycle will be studied and risk based approaches will be developed
taking into account changes in droughts, storms and floods patterns. Quantification and study of
carbon and greenhouse gases (including aerosols) budget will be undertaken. Pressures on
environmental quality and on climate from natural and anthropogenic pollution of the air, water and
soil will be investigated as well as the interactions between the atmosphere, the stratospheric ozone
-
-Environment and health
Multidisciplinary research on interactions of environmental and climate risk factors and human
health is needed to support the Environment and Health action plan and the integration of public
health concerns and disease characterisation related to emerging environmental risks. Research will
focus on multiple exposures via different exposure routes, identification of pollution sources and
new or emerging environmental stressors and vectors (e.g. indoor and outdoor environment, issues
related to urban environment, air pollution, electromagnetic fields, noise and exposure to toxic
substances including development of integrated risk assessment and methodologies for chemicals),
their interaction with natural hazards and their potential health effects. Research will also aim at
integrating research activities on human biomonitoring regarding scientific aspects, methodologies
and tools to develop a coordinated and coherent approach. It will include European cohort studies,
with attention to vulnerable population groups, and methods and tools for improved risk
characterisation, assessment and comparisons of risks and health impacts. Research will develop
biomarkers and modelling tools taking into account combined exposures, variations in vulnerability
and uncertainty. It will also deliver elaborate methods and decision support tools (indicators, data
bases, cost-benefit and multi-criteria analyses, health impact assessment, burden of disease and
sustainability analysis) for risk analysis, validation and linkage of models and systems, and for
management and communication which are supporting policy development, assessment and
monitoring.
· Sustainable Management of Resources
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-Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources and
biodiversity
Research activities will be targeted to improve the knowledge basis and develop advanced models
and tools needed for the sustainable management of resources and the creation of sustainable
consumption patterns. This will enable the prediction of the behaviour of ecosystems and their
restoration, and the mitigation of degradation and loss of important structural and functional
elements of ecosystems (for biodiversity, water, soil and marine resources). Research on ecosystem
modelling will take account of protection and conservation practices. Innovative approaches to
develop economic activities from ecosystem services will be promoted. Integrated approaches will
be developed to prevent and combat desertification, land degradation and erosion (including
rational use of water), to stop biodiversity loss and to mitigate negative consequences of human
interference. Research will also address sustainable use and management of forests, rural and urban
environment including post-industrialised zones addressing in particular planning, and sustainable
waste management. The research will benefit from and contribute to the development of open,
distributed, inter-operable data management and information systems and will underpin
assessments, foresight, and services related to natural resources and their use.
· Environmental Technologies
-
-Environmental technologies for the sustainable management and conservation of the natural
and man-made environment
New or improved environmental technologies are needed to reduce the environmental impact of
human activities, protect the environment and manage resources more efficiently and to develop
new products, processes and services more beneficial for the environment than existing alternatives.
Research will target in particular: technologies preventing or reducing environmental risks,
mitigating hazards and disasters, mitigating climate change and the loss of biodiversity;
technologies promoting sustainable production and consumption; technologies for managing
resources or treating pollution more efficiently, in relation to water, soil, air, sea and other natural
resources, or waste. Cross-cutting coordination will be ensured with other related themes.
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-Protection, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage, including human habitat
Technologies for the environmentally sound and sustainable management of the human
environment including the built environment, urban areas, landscape, as well as for the protection,
conservation and restoration of cultural heritage from environmental pollution, including
environment impact assessment, models and tools for risk evaluation, advanced and non-destructive
techniques for damage diagnosis, new products and methodologies for restoration, mitigation and
adaptation strategies for the sustainable management of both movable and immovable cultural
· Earth observation and assessment tools
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-Earth observation
Research activities will be devoted to the development and integration of the Global Earth
Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) for environment and sustainable development issues in
the framework of the GEO initiative46 to which Global Monitoring for Environment and Security is
complementary. Interoperability between observation systems, information management and data
sharing, and optimisation of information for understanding, modelling and predicting environment
phenomena and related human activities will be addressed. These activities will focus on natural
hazards, climate change, weather, ecosystems, natural resources, water, land use, environment and
health, and biodiversity (including the aspects of risk assessment, forecasting methods and
assessment tools) in order to produce advances for the GEOSS societal benefit areas and contribute
to GMES.
-
-Assessment tools for sustainable development
Tools are needed to quantitatively assess the environmental and research policy contribution to
competitiveness and sustainable development, including assessments of market-based and
regulatory approaches as well as the impacts of current trends in production and consumption
patterns. Such tools will include models that consider the links between the economy, environment
and society and hence beneficial and efficient strategies of adaptation and prevention. Overall
International cooperation
Environmental problems have invariably a transboundary, regional or global dimension and
international cooperation will be an important aspect in this theme. Particular areas relate to
EU international commitments, such as Climate Change, Biodiversity, Desertification, Water
Resource Management and chemicals and wastes conventions as well as the Johannesburg Summit
decisions on sustainable development as well as other regional conventions. Attention will also be
given to relevant research actions stemming from EU environmental strategies and action plans47.
Scientific and technological partnerships with developing countries and emerging economies will
contribute to the Millennium Development Goals in several fields (e.g. reverse the loss of
environmental resources, improvement of water management, supply and sanitation, and facing the
environmental challenges of urbanisation), areas where SMEs could also play a key role. Particular
attention will be given to the relation between global environmental issues and the regional and
local development problems relating to natural resources, biodiversity, ecosystems, land use, natural
and man-made hazards and risks, climate change, environmental technologies, environment and
health as well as on policy analysis tools. Cooperation with industrialised countries will enhance
access to global research excellence; scientists from developing countries should be actively
involved in particular regarding better scientific understanding of sustainable development aspects.
The establishment of the GEOSS for Earth observation will promote international co-operation for
understanding Earth systems and sustainability issues, and co-ordinated data collection for scientific
Responding to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
Research on emerging needs in this theme may address questions such as the interactions between
people, ecosystems and the biosphere or new risks related to natural, man induced and
technologically induced disasters.
Support to respond to unforeseen environmental policy needs could, for example, relate to
sustainability impact assessments of new EU policies such as in environment, maritime policy,
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7.Transport (including Aeronautics)
Objective
Based on technological and operational advances and on the European transport policy,
develop integrated, safer, "greener"and "smarter" pan-European transport systems for the
benefit of the citizen, and society and climate policy, respecting the environment and natural
resources; and securing and further developing the competitiveness attained by the European
industries in the global market.
Approach
The European transport system is a vital element to European economic and social prosperity. It
serves key roles in the transportation of people and goods in a local, regional, national, European
and international context. This theme will address some of the ongoing challenges, as recognised in
the White Paper on Transport48, in improving the contributions that transport systems make to
society and industrial competitiveness within an enlarged EU, whilst minimising the negative
impacts and consequences of transport in relation to the environment, energy usage, security and
public health.
A new integrated approach will be taken which links all transport modes, addresses the
socio-economic and technological dimensions of research and knowledge development, and
Activities of particular relevance to SMEs include efforts to ensure robust technology-driven supply
chains in the various sectors; enabling SMEs to access research initiatives; and facilitating the role
and start-up of high-tech SMEs, particularly in the advanced transport technologies and
'services-related' activities specific to transport as well as the development of systems and
applications in satellite navigation domains.
Existing policy needs as well as the development, assessment and implementation of new policies
(for example Maritime Policy and the implementation of the European Single Sky), will be
addressed within and across the different activity lines. The work will include studies, models and
tools that deal with strategic monitoring and forecasting and integrate knowledge relating to the
main economic, social, safety, security and environmental issues for transport. Activities supporting
cross-cutting thematic topics will focus on transport specificities, for example security aspects as an
inherent requirement to the transport system; the use of alternative energy sources in transport
applications; and monitoring of environmental effects of transport, including climate change.
Support will also be given to dissemination and exploitation activities and impact assessments, with
particular attention to the specific user needs including those of the disadvantaged and policy
requirements in the transport sector.
Activities
The greening of air transport: Developing technologies to reduce the environmental impact of
aviation with the aim to halve the emitted carbon dioxide (CO
2), cut specific emissions of nitrogen
oxides (NOx) by 80% and halve the perceived noise. Research will focus on furthering green engine
technologies including alternative fuels technology as well as improved vehicle efficiency of
fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft, new intelligent low-weight structures, and improved
aerodynamics. Issues such as improved aircraft operations at the airport (airside and landside) and
air traffic management, manufacturing, maintenance, including repair and overhaul, and recycling
processes will be included.
Increasing time efficiency: Realising a step-change in aviation in order to accommodate the
projected growth of three times more aircraft movements by improving punctuality in all weather
conditions and reducing significantly the time spent in travel-related procedures at airports while
maintaining safety. Research will develop and implement an innovative Air traffic Management
(ATM) system within the context of the SESAR49 initiative, by integrating air, ground and space
components, together with traffic flow management and more aircraft autonomy. Design aspects of
aircraft to improve handling of passengers and cargo, novel solutions for efficient airport use and
connecting air transport to the overall transport system will also be addressed. The most efficient
coordination of the development of ATM systems in Europe will be ensured through the
SESAR initiative50.
Ensuring customer satisfaction and safety: Introducing a quantum leap in passenger choice and
schedule flexibility, whilst achieving a five-fold reduction in accident rate. New technologies will
Improving cost efficiency: Fostering a competitive supply chain able to halve the time-to-market,
and reduce product development and operational costs, resulting in more affordable transport for the
citizen. Research will focus on improvements to the whole business process, from conceptual
design to product development, manufacturing and in-service operations including the integration of
the supply chain. It will include improved simulation capabilities and automation, technologies and
methods for the realisation of the zero-maintenance aircraft, as well as lean aircraft, airport and air
traffic management operations.
Protection of aircraft and passengers: Preventing hostile action of any kind to incur injury, loss,
damage or disruption to travellers or citizens due to the effects of aircraft misuse. Research will
focus on the relevant elements of the air transport system including security measures in cabin and
cockpit designs, automatic control and landing in the case of unauthorised use of aircraft, protection
against external attacks, as well as security aspects of airspace management and airport operations.
Pioneering the air transport of the future: Exploring more radical, environmentally efficient and
innovative technologies that might facilitate the step change required for air transport in the second
half of this century and beyond. Research will address aspects such as new propulsion and lifting
concepts, new ideas for the interior space of airborne vehicles, new airport concepts, new methods
of aircraft guidance and control, alternative concepts of air transport system operation and its
integration with other transport modes.
Surface transport (rail, road and waterborne)
Encouraging and increasing modal shift and decongesting transport corridors51: Developing and
demonstrating seamless door-to-door transport for people and goods as well as technologies and
systems to ensure effective intermodality, including in the context of rail and waterborne transport
competitiveness. This includes activities addressing the interoperability and operational
optimisation of local, regional, national and European transport networks, systems and services and
their intermodal integration in a global context. The activities will aim at European-wide strategies,
optimised use of infrastructure including terminals and specialised networks, improved transport,
traffic and information management, enhanced freight logistics, passenger intermodality and modal
shift strategies to encourage energy efficient means of transport. Intelligent systems, new
vehicle/vessel concepts and technologies including loading and unloading operations as well as
user-interfaces will be developed. Knowledge for policy making will include infrastructure pricing
and charging, assessments of EU transport policy measures and trans-European networks policy and
projects.
Ensuring sustainable urban mobility for all citizens including the disadvantaged: Focusing on the
mobility of people and goods by research on the 'next generation vehicle' and its market take-up,
bringing together all elements of a clean, energy efficient, safe and intelligent road transport system.
Research on new transport and mobility concepts, innovative organisational and mobility
management schemes and high quality public transport will aim at ensuring access for all and high
levels of intermodal integration. Innovative strategies for clean urban transport52 will be developed
and tested. Particular attention will be paid to non-polluting modes of transport, demand
management, rationalisation of private transport, and information and communication strategies,
Improving safety and security: Developing technologies and intelligent systems to protect
vulnerable persons such as drivers, riders, passengers, crew, and pedestrians. Advanced engineering
systems and risk analysis methodologies will be developed for the design and operation of vehicles,
vessels and infrastructures. Emphasis will be placed on integrative approaches linking human
elements, structural integrity, preventive, passive and active safety including monitoring systems,
rescue and crisis management. Safety will be considered as an inherent component of the total
transport system embracing infrastructures, freight including goods and containers, transport users
and operators, vehicles and vessels and measures at policy and legislative levels, including decision
support and validation tools; security will be addressed wherever it is an inherent requirement to the
transport system.
Strengthening competitiveness: Improving the competitiveness of transport industries, ensuring
sustainable, efficient and affordable transport services and creating new skills and job opportunities
by research and developments. Technologies for advanced industrial processes will include design,
manufacturing, assembly, construction and maintenance and will aim at decreasing life cycle costs
and development lead-times. Emphasis will be placed on innovative and improved product concepts
and transport services ensuring higher customer satisfaction. New production organisation including
the supply chain management and distribution systems will be developed.
Support to the European global satellite navigation system (Galileo)
The European Global Satellite Navigation system, encompasses Galileo and EGNOS, and provides
Providing the tools and creating the appropriate environment: ensuring safe and secure use of
services, mainly through certification in key application domains; preparing and confirming the
adequacy of services to new policies and legislation, including their implementation; addressing
public regulated services according to the approved policy of access; developing essential digital
topology, cartography, geodesy data and systems for use in navigation applications; addressing
safety and security needs and requirements.
Adapting receivers to requirements and upgrading core technologies: improving receiver
performances, integrating low-power consumption and miniaturisation technologies, completing
in-door navigation coverage, coupling with radio frequency identification devices, exploiting
software receiver technology, combining with other functions as telecommunication, supporting key
navigation ground-based infrastructure technology to ensure robustness and flexibility.
Supporting infrastructure evolution: preparing second generation system, adapting to evolving user
demands and market forecasts, taking advantage of infrastructure internationalisation to address
global markets and developing world-wide standards.
International Co-operation
International co-operation is an important component of the RTD activities in this field, and will be
encouraged where there are interests for industry and policy-makers. Broad topic areas for specific
actions will be considered where there is market attraction (for example global trade development
Emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
Initiatives under emerging needs will support research that responds to critical events and
challenges of future transportation systems for example novel transport and vehicle concepts,
automation, mobility or organisation.
Unforeseen policy needs that may require specific transport-related research could include broad
societal issues such as the changes in the demographics, lifestyles and expectations of society for
transport systems; as well as emerging risks or problems of high importance to European society.
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8.Socio-Economic Sciences and the Humanities
Objective
Generating an in-depth, shared understanding of complex and interrelated socio-economic
challenges Europe is confronted with, such as growth, employment and competitiveness,
social cohesion, social, cultural and educational challenges in an enlarged EU, sustainability,
migration and integration, quality of life and global interdependence, in particular with the
view of providing an improved knowledge base for policies in the fields concerned.
Approach
The research priorities address key societal, economic and cultural challenges facing Europe and the
world now and in the future. The proposed research agenda constitutes a coherent approach to
addressing these challenges. The development of a socio-economic and humanities knowledge base
on these key challenges will make a significant contribution to promoting shared understanding
across Europe and to the resolution of wider international problems. The research priorities will
help improve the formulation, implementation, impact and assessment of policy in virtually all
Community policy areas at the European, national, regional and local levels, and a substantial
international perspective is included in most of the research.
In addition to socio-economic and socio-cultural research and foresight an emphasis will be placed
The research will be facilitated by research infrastructures which generate new research data,
including through surveys (both quantitative and qualitative), make available existing data for
international comparative research, and provide access to source materials and advanced research
tools as well as to the results of existing research in many fields. Some of these actions will be
carried out through the Infrastructures element of the Capacities programme and others by projects
under this theme. The research will rely on access to and the use of official statistics.
Specific dissemination actions targeted at particular groups and the general public will be
undertaken, including workshops and conferences for researchers to exchange views with
policy-makers and other stakeholders, and the diffusion of results using various media.
Appropriate coordination of socio-economic and humanities research and foresight elements across
the Cooperation and other specific programmes will be assured.
Activities
Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge society
This will aim to develop and integrate research on the issues affecting growth, employment and
competitiveness in order to provide an improved and integrated understanding of these issues for
the continued development of a knowledge society. It will benefit policy and support progress
towards achieving these objectives. The research will integrate the following aspects of the
-
-Institutional and policy questions, including macroeconomic policy, labour markets,
institutional contexts, and policy coherence and coordination.
Research will address important new challenges and opportunities from increased globalisation,
emerging economies, relocation, and EU enlargement; as well as socio-economic stability,
international transfer of technology, various forms of innovation and economic renewal,
outsourcing and insourcing, youth and youth policy, social enterpreneurship, and the economic
potential of European cultural heritage and the creative sector. Employment questions will include
unemployment and underemployment.
Combining economic, social and environmental objectives in a European perspective
This aims to support the societal goal of combining economic, social and environmental objectives
and so improve the basis for sustainable development. The research in this activity will address two
interrelated issues:
-
-How European socio-economic models and those outside Europe have fared in combining the
objectives, the conditions under which this occurred including the role of dialogue, social
partnership, sectoral transformation, institutional change and their ability to confront new
challenges.
-
-the interaction between environment54, energy and society;
-
-long-term sustainability;
-
-issues for developing countries;
-
-spatial aspects including urban planning, the role of cities and city-regions;
-
-and cultural issues.
The question of welfare states as a development resource, and the employment and housing of
migrants and their descendants, will also be addressed.
Major trends in society and their implications
The aim is to understand and assess the causes and implications of particular key trends in society
that have major consequences for European citizens, their quality of life and for policies, and thus to
provide an underpinning for many policy areas. Empirical and theoretical research will address
initially three major trends:
-
-Demographic change including ageing, fertility and migration. The broad societal and
economic implications and issues will be addressed, including societal and economic potential
of active ageing and the effects on pension systems.
-
-Changes in the related aspects of lifestyles, families, work, consumption (including consumer
protection aspects), health and quality of life including child, youth and disabilities issues.
Europe in the world
The aim is to understand changing interactions and interdependencies between world regions
including emerging and developing regions and their implications for the regions concerned,
especially for Europe, and the related issue of addressing emerging threats and risks in a world
context and their connection to human rights, freedoms and well-being. The research will involve
two related tracks:
-
-Flows of trade, finance, investment, migration and their impact; uneven development, poverty
and sustainability; economic and political relations, global governance including international
institutions. This will explore cultural interactions including media and religions and
distinctive non-European approaches.
-
-Conflicts, their causes and resolution; the relation between security and destabilising factors
such as poverty, crime, environmental degradation, resource scarcity, uneven development,
financial instability and debt; terrorism, its causes and consequences; security-related policies
and perceptions of insecurity and civil-military relations.
In both, Europe's role in the world, the development of multilateralism and international law, the
promotion of democracy and fundamental rights including different notions of these, and Europe as
seen from outside, will be addressed.
The citizen in the European Union
In the context of the future development of the EU, the aim is to improve understanding of, first, the
issues involved in achieving a sense of democratic "ownership" and active participation by citizens
as well as effective and democratic governance at all levels, and, second, Europe's diversities and
commonalities in terms of culture, religion, institutions, law, history, languages and values. The
research will address:
-
-Participation (including youth, minorities and gender aspects), representation, accountability
and legitimacy; the European public sphere, media and democracy; various forms of
governance in the EU including economic and legal governance and the role of the public and
private sectors, policy processes and opportunities to shape policies; the role of civil society;
citizenship and rights; and related values of the population.
-
-European diversities and commonalities, including their historical origins and evolution;
differences in institutions (including norms, practices, laws); cultural heritage; various visions
and perspectives for European integration including the views of the populations; identities
including European identity; approaches to multiple coexisting cultures; the role of language,
the arts and religions; attitudes and values.
Socio-economic and scientific indicators
-
-How evidence-based policy might be better supported by indicators and methods for their use;
-
indicators for policy with multiple objectives, for policy coordination and for regulation;
support by official statistics for such indicators.
-
-Use of indicators and related approaches for evaluation of research programmes including
impact assessment.
Foresight activities
The aim is to provide national, regional and Community policy-makers and others with foresight
knowledge for the early identification of long term challenges and areas of common interest that
can help them formulate policy. Four types of activities will be covered:
-
-Wide socio-economic foresight on a limited number of key challenges and opportunities for
the EU, exploring issues such as the future and implications of ageing, migration,
globalisation of knowledge, changes in crime and major risks.
-
-More focused thematic foresight on the developments in emerging research domains or those
cutting across existing domains, as well as on the future of scientific disciplines.
-
-Foresight on research systems and policies in Europe and elsewhere and on the future of key
Emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
Research on emerging needs will offer a space for researchers to identify and address research
challenges not specified above. It will encourage innovative thinking about challenges facing
Europe not being widely discussed up to now or other relevant combinations of issues, perspectives
and disciplines. Research to respond to unforeseen policy needs will also be undertaken, in close
consultation with those involved in policy.
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9.Space
Objective
Supporting a European Space Programme focusing on applications such as GMES with
benefits for citizens and for the competitiveness of the European space industry. This will
contribute to the development of a European Space Policy, complementing efforts by Member
States and by other key players, including the European Space Agency (ESA).
Approach
In this field, the Community will contribute to the definition of common objectives based on user
requirements and policy objectives; to the coordination of activities, to the avoidance of
duplications, to the facilitation of interoperability and to the improvement of cost-effectiveness. It
will also contribute to the definition of standards. The European Space Policy55 will serve the
objectives of the public authorities and decision-makers while strengthening the competitiveness of
the European industry. It will be implemented through a European Space Programme, and the
7th Framework Programme will contribute to support or complement research and technological
development actions provided by other stakeholders, public and private, in Europe.
Actions in this theme will support Community policy objectives, for example in the fields of
agriculture, forestry, fisheries, environment, telecommunications, security, development, health,
Exploitation-oriented activities are expected to be complementary to actions carried out under other
themes in the "Cooperation" Specific Programme (notably those carried out under "Environment" in
connection with GEOSS, and those carried out under "Information and Communication
Technologies"). Thematic synergies will also be developed with related activities in other specific
programmes. Complementary actions are envisaged through the Competitiveness and Innovation
Framework Programme and the Education and Training Programme.
Research and technology transfer activities in the theme could be particularly appealing for SMEs
developing innovative technologies, needing familiarisation with new space technology
opportunities (spin-in), or developing application for their own space technologies to other markets
(spin-off).
Management of certain parts of the space activities could be entrusted to existing external entities,
such as ESA56, or to other entities and agencies at European or national level. In the case of GMES,
research activities could be implemented through a Joint Technology Initiative (see Annex III).
Activities
· Space-based applications at the service of the European Society
-
-Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)
The objective is to develop appropriate satellite based monitoring and early warning systems,
including for the safety of citizens, as unique and globally available data sources and to consolidate
and stimulate evolution of their operational use. This programme will also provide support to the
development of operational GMES services, which enable decision-makers to better anticipate or
mitigate crisis situations and issues relating to the management of the environment and security,
starting with "fast-track" services on Emergency Response, Land Monitoring and Marine Services.
Research activities should mainly contribute to maximise the use of GMES data collected from
space-borne sources and to integrating these with data from other observation systems in complex
products designed to deliver information and customised services to end-users through an efficient
data integration and information management. Other satellite technologies (e.g. Communication,
Navigation) will be integrated, where necessary, into the development of GMES services. Research
activities should also contribute to enhance monitoring techniques and associated instrument
technologies, to develop where necessary new space-based systems or improve the interoperability
of existing ones, and to enable their use in (pre)operational services responding to specific types of
-
-In the security domain demands include improving acquisition, access and exchange of
data and information needed in the context of emergency relief response and crisis
management. Support is to be given for prevention/mitigation, monitoring, risk
management and assessment of natural and technological hazards as well as to
humanitarian aid for the purpose of proper need assessment and emergency planning in
the context of natural disasters (such as forest fires, floods and earthquakes) and
humanitarian crises (refugees, internally displaced persons, etc.). Support is also to be
considered for the implementation of the Community policies such as the establishment
of an area of freedom, justice and security, and in the domain of border surveillance.
-
-Security aspects (complementary to security research and to GMES activities)
The EC SPASEC Report57 underlined that space services play such a key role in the well-being of
European society that protection of critical infrastructure in the space sector is a priority. This may
need services and capabilities for surveillance of space based assets as well as protection for
terrestrial infrastructure. The space surveillance system could for example provide information
concerning the main characteristics of satellites (e.g. orbital parameters, activity status), the main
characteristics of potentially threatening debris (e.g. trajectory, physical parameters) and pertinent
information related to space weather and Near Earth Objects. Feasibility studies and the financing
of demonstration projects can be foreseen in this area.
-
-Exploration of space
-
-The objective is to provide R&D support and maximise scientific added value through
synergies with initiatives of ESA or other entities and agencies at European or national
level in the field of space exploration, including related technology transfer
implications, and to facilitate the scientific community to access results/data acquired
during exploration missions undertaken in the frame of the European Space Programme.
Research activities will be carried out, in particular, through supporting actions,
feasibility studies and pre-operational projects. Additional dimensions will have to be
considered: the intrinsic international cooperation opportunities and the importance of
keeping awareness and disseminating results.
· RTD for strengthening space foundations
-
-Space technology
In general the objective is to support the increase of the competitiveness, cost-effectiveness
and independent access of the European space technology sector at large.
In particular that objective could be met through space research and the development for
long-term needs including space transportation, for example by: assessing the long term
needs; contributing to system studies taking into account the end-user requirements;
-
-Space sciences
The objective is to contribute to the development of advanced technologies to be used in space
sciences. Space sciences not only provide deep insights into the structure of the universe, improved
understanding of Planet Earth and the Solar System, and a new approach to life and physical
sciences, they are also a strong driving force for new technology developments with many
subsequent applications of benefit to society. The 7th Framework Programme should complement
the ongoing scientific programmes where gaps are identified and be in support of scientific
activities including on-board the International Space Station (ISS). Supporting activities aiming at
facilitating access to scientific data including those obtained from previous missions are also
envisaged.
International cooperation
Exploitation and exploration of space are, by nature, global ventures. Effective international space
cooperation will help to raise the Union's political standing in the world, strengthen its economic
competitiveness and enhance its reputation for scientific excellence. Cooperation in the space sector
will also support Community's external policy objectives (e.g. support for developing countries,
neighbourhood countries).
In this respect, focus will be on developing an overall strategy in international space cooperation as
well as an efficient coordination mechanism involving all relevant European players.
To provide better opportunities for efficient collaboration and to ensure that best international
expertise in the space field is integrated in the European Space Programme, specific cooperation
actions will be used for bi-or multilateral projects, international and global initiatives and
cooperation with emerging economies ands developing countries.
Responding to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
Research on emerging needs will enable innovative solutions to technological developments in the
space research area, and possible adaptations and applications in other fields (e.g. resources
management, biological processes, and new materials). Research to respond to unforeseen policy
needs may address topics such as providing space based solutions in support of developing
countries, developing new space-observation and communication tools and methods related to
relevant Community policies and contributions to social inclusion.
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10.Security
Objective
To develop the technologies and knowledge for building capabilities needed to ensure the
security of citizens from threats such as terrorism, natural disasters and crime, while
respecting fundamental human rights; to ensure optimal and concerted use of available and
evolving technologies to the benefit of civil European security, to stimulate the co-operation of
providers and users for civil security solutions, improving the competitiveness of the
European security industry and delivering mission-oriented research results to reduce
security gaps.
Approach
Security in Europe is a precondition of prosperity and freedom. The Security Research theme has an
exclusively civil application focus and it supports the implementation of Community policies and
initiatives relevant to security such as the establishment of an area of freedom, security and justice,
transport, health (including the EU Health Security Programme59), civil protection (including
natural and industrial disasters), energy, environment and external policies. Through this, the theme
will contribute to growth and employment and the competitiveness of the European security
industry. It will facilitate the various national and international actors to co-operate and co-ordinate
in order to avoid unnecessary duplication and to explore synergies wherever possible. It will be
These non-defence activities at Community level will address four civil security mission areas
which have been identified in response to specific challenges of high political relevance and
European added value with regard to threats and potential security incidents, and three areas of
cross-cutting interest. Each mission area covers six phases which vary in time and emphasis. These
six phases are: identify (incident-related), prevent (threat-related), protect (target-related), prepare
(operation-related), respond (crisis-related) and recover (consequence-related); they describe what
efforts to undertake in the respective phases. The first four phases refer to efforts of avoiding an
incident and mitigating its potential negative impacts, the last two refer to efforts of coping with the
incident situation and longer term consequences.
For each phase of the individual mission areas, a specific group of capabilities becomes relevant
which those responsible for the security of the citizens need to possess in order to effectively cope
with threats and incidents. The capabilities indicate how the efforts would be undertaken and will in
several cases contribute to more than one phase and/or mission area. Acquiring the capabilities is
based on a combination of knowledge, technologies and organisational measures. This theme will
also address ways of ensuring an effective connection between the enhanced knowledge and
technologies, and processes developed and their actual implementation by the various end-users, in
order to achieve improvements in European security capabilities.
Research will in particular focus on filling capability gaps by developing technologies and skills
required by the specific mission area and identified by a "top-down" approach guided by a dialogue
with end-users, in conformity with objectives and priorities. As end-users of the security research,
This capability gap driven approach will be complemented by a "bottom-up" approach which
scopes and examines technologies in order to assess how they could be utilised to enhance
European security. An important aspect is to draw on the excellence of the supply side
(e.g. industry, universities, research centres) to bring forward innovative security solutions.
Research will be multidisciplinary and mission-oriented, it will range from technology and
methodology development, to technology and systems integration, demonstration and validation. A
multi-purpose nature of technologies is encouraged to maximize the scope for their application, and
to foster cross-fertilisation and take-up of available and evolving technologies for the civil security
sector. The Security Research theme will aim at preparing medium to long-term effective solutions
which are sufficiently adaptable and innovative to defy relevant threats. It will also complement and
integrate the technology- and more systems-oriented research relevant to civil security which is
carried out in other themes.
Security research needs specific implementation rules to take into account its special nature with the
aim of protecting sensitive information related to security, and to providing sufficient information
on the results for the Member States and end-users.
Research will be focussed exclusively on civil security applications. Recognizing that there are
areas of dual use technology relevant to both civilian and military applications, a suitable
framework will be established to co-ordinate with the activities of the European Defence Agency
(EDA). Moreover, to provide mutual information and to avoid unnecessary duplication of funding a
The involvement of small and medium enterprises (SME) in the activities is as strongly encouraged
as that of authorities and organisations responsible for the security of the citizens. The longer term
research agenda elaborated by the European Security Research Advisory Board (ESRAB)60 will
support the definition of the content and structure of the research in this theme.
Activities
Activities will address the following mission areas:
· Security of citizens: Activities will concentrate on threat aspects of potential incidents of a
transnational importance, such as offenders, equipment and resources used by them or as
mechanisms of attack. A series of capabilities are required to cope with this mission area,
many of which primarily relate to the phases "identify", "prevent" and "prepare" and
"respond". The ambition is both to avoid an incident and to mitigate its potential
consequences. To build up the required capabilities with the aim of providing civil protection,
including bio-security and protection against risks arising from crime and terrorist attacks,
emphasis will be on issues such as: threat (e.g. Chemical, Biological, Radiological and
Nuclear, CBRN) awareness (e.g. intelligence gathering, collection, exploitation, sharing;
alerting), detection (e.g. hazardous substances, explosives, agents B or C, individuals or
groups, suspect behaviour), identification and authentification (e.g. of persons, type and
amount of substances), prevention (e.g. control of access and movements, with respect to
financial resources, control of financial structures), preparedness (e.g. risk assessment;
· Security of infrastructures and utilities: Activities will concentrate on targets of an incident
or disaster of transnational importance, examples for infrastructures include large scale event
sites, significant sites of political (e.g. parliament buildings) or symbolic (e.g. particular
monuments) value and utilities being those for energy (including oil, electricity, gas), water,
transport (including air, sea, land), communication (including broadcasting), financial,
administrative, public health etc. A series of capabilities are required to cope with this mission
area, many of which primarily relate to the phases "protect" but also "prepare". The ambition
is both to avoid an incident and to mitigate its potential consequences. To build up the
required capabilities, emphasis will be on issues such as: analysing, modelling and assessing
vulnerabilities of physical infrastructure and its operations; securing existing and future public
and private critical networked infrastructures, systems and services with respect to their
physical, logical and functional side; control and alert systems to allow for quick response in
case of an incident; protection against cascading effects of an incident, defining and designing
criteria to build new secure infrastructures and utilities.
· Intelligent surveillance and border security: Activities will deal with issues relevant to all
the consecutive tiers of European border security strategy, starting with visa application
procedures in embassies and consular posts (1st level), cross-border cooperation (2nd level),
measures at the border crossing points at land borders, harbours and airports as well as
between the border crossing points at green and blue borders (3rd level) and finally activities
inside the European external borders (4th level) such as exchange of information,
compensatory measures, Schengen Information System (SIS), Judicial and Police, Customs
To build up the required capabilities, emphasis will be on issues such as: enhancing the
effectiveness and efficiency of all security relevant systems, equipment, tools and processes
used at border-crossing points (e.g. identification of accessing people, non-invasive detection
of people and goods, tracking of substances, sampling, spatial recognition including data
capture and analysis etc.); improving the security of Europe's land and sea borders
(e.g. through non invasive and underwater detection of vehicles, tracking of vehicles, spatial
-
recognition including data capture and analysis, surveillance, remote operations etc.);
maritime security; assessment and management of (illegal) migration flows. A suitable
framework will be established to co-ordinate with the activities of the European Agency for
the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders.
· Restoring security and safety in case of crisis: Activities will focus on emergency
management operations, such as in civil protection (including natural disasters and industrial
accidents), humanitarian aid and rescue tasks. A series of capabilities are required to cope
with this mission area, many of which primarily relate to the phases "prepare", "respond" and
"recover". The ambition is to mitigate the consequences of the incident. To build up the
required capabilities, emphasis will be on issues such as: general organisational and
operational preparedness to cope with security incidents (e.g. inter-organisational
co-ordination and emergency communication, assessment of strategic reserves, strategic
inventories etc.), crisis management (e.g. integrated means of alert and management,
assessment of the incident and priority requirements, integration of heterogeneous actors and
resources, evacuation and isolation, neutralisation and containment of effects of terrorist
The above areas will be supported by activities in the following areas of cross-cutting interest:
· Security Systems Integration, interconnectivity and interoperability: Activities will
enable and/or contribute to the performance of technology required for building up the above
listed capabilities, thus focusing on cross-cutting issues such as: enhancing the
interoperability and intercommunication of systems, equipment, services and processes,
including law enforcement, firefighting, civil defence and medical information infrastructures,
while ensuring their reliability, protection of confidentiality and integrity of information,
traceability of all transactions and their processing etc. Activities will also address
standardisation and training matters (including such with respect to cultural, human and
organisational interoperability).
· Security and society: Activities are of a cross-cutting nature and should be conducted by
interacting between natural sciences, technology and other sciences, in particular political,
social and human sciences. The focus will be on targeted cultural and socio-economic as well
as systemic risk analyses, scenario building and other research activities related to subjects
such as: Security as an evolving concept (comprehensive analyses of security-related needs, in
order to define the main functional requirements to address the fluctuating security
landscape); interdependencies, vulnerabilities due to disasters and new threats (e.g. in the field
of terrorism and organised crime); the attitude of citizens in crisis situations (e.g. perception
of terrorism and crime, behaviour of crowds, public understanding of civil rights and
socio-cultural forms of protection and acceptance of security (and safety) controls);
· Security Research co-ordination and structuring: This area provides the platform for
activities to co-ordinate and structure national, European and international security research
efforts, to develop synergies between civil, security and defence research as well as to
co-ordinate between the demand and the supply side of security research. Activities will also
focus on the improvement of relevant legal conditions and procedures.
International cooperation
International co-operation in the security Research activities will be implemented in line with
internal and external aspects of Community policies. Due to the particular sensitivity of this area,
international cooperation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Particular requirements and
criteria for international co-operation may be specified in the work programme.
Specific international co-operation actions will be considered where there is mutual benefit, such as
research relating to security activities of global applicability, e.g. management of large scale
disasters.
Responding to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs
The Security Research theme is by nature and design flexible. Activities will allow the
accommodation of as yet unknown future security threats including disasters, and related policy
needs that may arise. This flexibility will complement the mission-oriented character of the research
ANNEX II
INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF THE AMOUNT
ANNEX III
Risk-Sharing Finance Facility
In accordance with Annex II, the Community will provide a grant (Coordination and support action)
to the European Investment Bank (EIB) which will be a risk sharing partner. This grant will
contribute to the Community's objective to foster private sector investment in research,
technological development and demonstration by increasing the capacity of the Bank to manage
risk, thus allowing for (i) a larger volume of EIB lending and guarantees for a certain level of risk,
and (ii) the financing of riskier European RTD actions than would be possible without such
Community support.
The EIB will lend funds raised from international financial markets in accordance with its standard
rules, regulations and procedures. It will then use this grant, together with its own funds, as
provisions and capital allocation within the bank to cover part of the risks associated with these
loans to eligible large European RTD actions. There will be no liability for the Community budget.
Based on its financial evaluation, the EIB will assess the level of financial risks and decide the
value of the provision or capital allocation. The risk assessment and grading, and the resulting
decisions on provisioning and capital allocation, are standard procedures of the Bank, approved and
monitored by its shareholders, and will not be altered as a result of the Community contribution.
There will be no contingent liability for the Community.
The grant agreement to be concluded with the EIB will establish terms and conditions under which
the Community funds can be used as provisions and capital allocations. It will include, inter alia,
the following terms and conditions:
· The eligible themes and activities. In order to maintain the balance between the contributing
specific programmes and their themes and activities, the Community may contractually adapt
the eligibility conditions related to any theme or activity, without prejudice for possible
modification in accordance with Article 7.2.
· The eligibility of European RTD actions. By default, "Joint Technology Initiatives" and large
collaborative projects funded by the Community under the contributing themes and activities
of this Specific Programme shall be automatically eligible. Other large European
collaborative projects such as EUREKA ones could also be considered. Participants,
irrespective of size (including SMEs), may benefit from this facility for the funding of their
activities in eligible projects. In accordance with the regulation adopted pursuant to Article
167 of the Treaty, the grant agreement will also establish procedural modalities and will
guarantee to the Community the possibility to veto under certain circumstances the use of the
grant for provisioning a loan proposed by the EIB.61
· The rules for defining the share of the financial risk that will be covered by the Community
grant and the risk threshold beyond which the EIB can use the Community grant.
ANNEX IV
Joint Technology Initiatives and Co-ordination of non-Community research programmes
Joint Technology Initiatives
The research areas for an indicative list of Joint Technology Initiatives are identified below based
on the criteria set out in Annex 1. These Joint Technology Initiatives address a diverse range of
challenges. Accordingly, structures must be designed on a case-by-case basis so that they address
the particular characteristics of the research area in question. In each case, a specific structure
would be identified for the purpose of implementing the agreed research agenda of the Joint
Technology Initiative and bring together the necessary public and private investments and
coordination of European efforts. The Community could grant an amount for the implementation of
the research agenda on the basis of separate proposals. Further Joint Technology Initiatives may be
identified on the basis of the criteria specified in Annex I and be proposed during the
implementation of the 7th Framework Programme.
[· Innovative Medicines Initiative62
The Innovative Medicines Joint Technology Initiative aims at increasing the competitiveness of the
European Pharmaceutical sector by providing a coordinated approach to overcome the research
bottlenecks in the drug development process, reducing drug development time and clinical attrition
Pre-competitive research, as defined through the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) of the
Innovative Medicines Initiative will include: development of tools and methods to better predict the
suitability, safety and efficacy of drugs, intelligent infrastructures for data integration and
knowledge management through close cooperation between industry, academia and clinical centres
at all necessary steps. It will also address education and training gaps to ensure that Europe has the
skills to translate research results into benefits for the patient. Close co-operation between the
European Community and the Industry and other stakeholders, such as regulatory agencies,
patients, academia, clinicians etc., will be ensured, as well as the mobilisation of public and private
funds. The implementation of the SRA will be carried out via the Innovative Medicines Initiative
(IMI), the appropriate public-private partnership structure to be established especially for this
purpose.
· Nanoelectronics Technologies 2020
Nanoelectronics is of high strategic importance for European competitiveness because its products
are key enablers for innovation in other sectors (multimedia, telecommunications, transport, health,
environment, industrial processing, etc.). It requires that R&D and innovation efforts are better
structured, optimised and integrated into a larger process involving all actors crucial to achieving a
successful outcome in the domain.
The initiative will address the needs for silicon-based technologies throughout four technology
domains: (i) the shrinking of logic and memory devices to increase performance and reduce costs,
· Embedded Computing Systems
Embedded computing systems the invisible electronics and software that impart intelligence to
products and processes are of strategic importance to the competitiveness of important European
industrial sectors such as automotive, avionics, consumer electronics, telecommunications, medical
systems and manufacturing. Furthermore, the increasing connectivity of these devices creates
potential for entirely new markets and societal applications in which Europe must be well placed to
benefit from.
The Joint Technology Initiative on Embedded Computing Systems will pull together and focus the
research effort, leveraging private and public investment to share the high risks and maintain a high
level of ambition. The initiative will address the design, development and deployment of
ubiquitous, interoperable and cost-effective, yet powerful, safe and secure electronic and software
systems. It will deliver reference designs that offer standard architectural approaches for given
ranges of applications, middleware that enable seamless connectivity and interoperability,
integrated design software tools and methods for rapid development and prototyping, as well as new
approaches for interaction between computers and the real world.
· Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Initiative
Hydrogen and fuel cells are energy technologies that can bring about a paradigm shift in the way
Europe produces and uses energy, offering massive development potential towards long-term
The Joint Technology Initiative will define and execute a target-oriented European programme of
industrial research, technological development and demonstration to deliver robust hydrogen and
fuel cell technologies developed to the point of commercial take-off. The main themes of the
JTI research agenda will be: fuel cell development for all application sectors and ranges; sustainable
hydrogen supply, including production, distribution, storage and delivery; integrated, large-scale
demonstration of maturing and advanced technologies in a real operational context; and, market
framework preparatory activities. This will be implemented on the basis of a sound and
continuously developing EU technology roadmap and business case, detailing transition strategies
and long-term goals and implementation milestones.
· Aeronautics and Air Transport
Europe must remain at the forefront of key technologies if it is to have sustainable, innovative and
competitive aeronautics and air transport industries in the future. As an RTD-intensive industry, the
existing competitiveness of the European aeronautical and air transport companies in world markets
has been built on significant private research investments (typically 13-15% of the turnover) over
many decades. Given the specificities of the sector, new developments often depend on effective
cooperation between the public and the private sector.
Certain aspects of the ACARE Strategic Research Agenda require a scale of effect and continuity of
purpose which requires a Joint Technology Initiative focussing on a coherent and dedicated
programme of research on advanced technologies and fostering aspects such as integration, large
· Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)
Europe needs autonomous capability based on a European standard for global monitoring. This will
considerably help Europe and its industries in this area, where its competitors are investing heavily
in the development of standards for global monitoring systems.
GMES has to respond to the political mandate expressed in the Council Resolution on GMES63 that
followed the June 2001 Gothenburg Summit, the Action Plan on GMES presented in
February 200464, and its inclusion in the "Initiative for Growth" and the "Quick-start" list.
The future of GMES depends on significant long-term investments by both users and infrastructure
providers (both public and private). For this it is essential that GMES assert its a clear and coherent
image of itself, which can be easily identified by users, public authorities and industry.
Independently of the specific application areas of GMES, this will involve a set of accepted
standards, validation mechanisms and policies, under a single political responsibility.
To that purpose a GMES management structure in the form of a Joint Technology Initiative (JTI)
could be set up to bring together all relevant players with their resources, notably user organisations
at both national and European level.
A JTI for GMES should ensure a strong co-ordination of GMES related activities, including
through the following functions:
A GMES JTI would also be an effective vehicle to promote an active involvement of the private
sector, in that it would act as a coordinating and funding agent for industry (including SMEs) and
other potential contractors wishing to contribute to the implementation of GMES through the
relevant competitive processes.
GMES will give Europe leadership in an area of management and use of major infrastructures,
including strategic space capacities. It could also provide a basis for an efficient exploitation of
finite natural resources by both public and private entities. It will, thus, help to improve productivity
in many sectors which have a need for coherent and up-to-date information on available assets.]
Co-ordination of non-Community research programmes
An indicative list of initiatives for the joint implementation of national research programmes are
identified below and could be the subject of a separate decision on the basis of Article 169 of the
Treaty. Further initiatives may be identified and proposed during the implementation of the
7th Framework Programme.
In the case of each decision, if and when adopted, a dedicated implementation structure would be
set up, together with the organisational structure and appropriate governance bodies necessary for
the implementation of the action. In accordance with Annex II, the Community could provide
financial support to the initiatives and could participate actively in the implementation by the means
which are most appropriate for the action.
[· Article 169 initiative in the field of Baltic Sea Research65
The aim will be to launch and implement a joint R&D programme integrating a number of national
programmes in the field of marine science and sustainable development of the Baltic Sea. In line
with a number of international, European and regional conventions dealing with the Baltic Sea, this
initiative will enable the creation of a platform for synthesising and disseminating findings in the
field and will create the necessary R&D to support sustainable development of the Baltic Sea.
· Article 169 initiative in the field of Ambient Assisted Living
· Article 169 initiative in the field of Metrology
The aim will be to launch and implement a cohesive joint metrology R&D programme integrating a
number of national programmes, which will enable Europe to respond to the growing demands for
cutting-edge metrology as a tool for innovation, supporting scientific research and policy. The
initiative will support, in particular, the objectives of the European National Measurement Systems
delivered via the National Metrology Laboratory networks.]
________________
| publicatiedatum | 03-03-2006 |
|---|---|
| kenmerk | 6956/06 |
