Cordis Focus

European Commission Directorate-General For Enterprise And Industry

Description

Issue Number 248, june 2004
Scientific and technical research
Target audience: Specialised/Technical

Sujets

• Periodical publication
• RE/Search
• Research and development
• Sciences et techniques

Informations

• Publié par: EUROPEAN-COMMISSION-DIRECTORATE-GENERAL-FOR-ENTERPRISE-AND-INDUSTRY
• Nombre de lectures: 19
• Langue: English

Extrait

IN THIS ISSUE

Scientific and technological advance outlined as EU objectives in Constitution EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin is ‘happy and satisfied’ with the references to research in the new EU Constitution, according to a spokesperson page 2 EURAB chair reflects on achievements to date, and looks to the‘interesting time’ ahead The last time that CORDIS News spoke to Helga Nowotny, chair of the European research advisory board (EURAB), she was planning to submit a document to the European Convention, with the aim of seeing the importance of research underlined in the new EU Constitution page 3 Commission seeks closer scientific collaboration with India The European Commission feels that now is the right time to upgrade EU-India relations to a ‘truly strategic partnership’ page 7 EU funds Integrated Project to fight obesity The European Commission is providing funding under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to an Integrated Project aimed at reducing the economic and social burden of obesity by assessing the potential for diet-based prevention of metabolic syndrome page 9 G8 makesAIDS vaccine an international scientific priority At the recent Group of Eight (G8) summit on Sea Island in the US, the leaders of the world’s most industrialised nations, namely the US, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Canada and Russia, adopted a plan for the establishment of a Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise page 24 Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Innovation: Policy and Practice . . . 7 Programme Implementation . . . . . . 9 Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calls and Tenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 General Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Inside Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Other Items Online . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

B a s e d

ISSN 1022-6559

o n i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m C O R D I S N e w s a v a i l a b l e o n t h e W e b a th t t p : / / w w w . c o r d i s . l u / n e w s

Commission launches debate on FP7

EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin launched discussions on the future EU research policy on 16 June with his presentation of a Commission communication. The Commission’ s proposals include new technology partnerships, a new agency to support basic research, and a new manage- ment structure for EU-funded initiatives. The document sets out to justify the doubling of The ‘plus two’ refers to the two relatively new the EU research budget, for which the Commis- areas to receive EU research funding - space and sion is calling. It then outlines the structure of security. the next research funding programme, the Sev-  The technological initiatives are likely to resem- enth Framework Programme (FP7), and introduces new management procedures for projects that ( b b le ri  t n h g e i   n T g e   c t h o n g o e l t o h g e y r     P c l o at m fo p r a m ni s e  a s l , r   e re a s d e y  a i r n c  e h x   i i s n t s e ti n t c u e - would see the Commission  tions, financial organisa- sometimes taking a back  tions and regulatory au- seat. horities),  but o larger t n a ‘The new Treaty will contain scale. The communication a new article on a European describes them as ‘large- Research Area. This is a new scale ‘joint technology ini- concept, we are moving tiatives’, and explains that into a new era,’ said Mr their implementation would Busquin, introducing the be based on Article 171 in Commission’s proposals. the Treaty. The Article allows ‘We must justify the dou- the EU to ‘set up joint un- bling of the R&D [research dertakings or any other and development] budget, Philippe Busquin presents the future of European structure necessary for the and must adopt a new ap- research policy efficient execution of Com- proach,’ he added. © CORDIS News munity research, techno- The full College of Commissioners is in agree- l g o r g a i m ca m l  e d s. e ’ velopment and demonstration pro- ment on the need for increased research spend- ing, said Mr Busquin. They are all convinced that Stimulating competition between fundamental if we are to have a good industrial policy, it needs research teams is likely to be done through a Eu- underpinning with R&D, he elaborated. ropean Research Council, or similar. Basic re- A further justification for increased investment is  search is currently supported at national level, that the costs of carrying out R&D have risen  but is not given enough visibility in terms of qual- considerably, claimed the Commissioner. t it h y i ,  s  s f a i i l d e    o M n r   i B t u s  s d q e u s in k  .  a ‘T n h d e     t D he ut y c  a h r   e P   r i e n s t i e d r e e n s c t y e   d h   a in s As outlined in the Commission’s financial per-  getting moving on it by the end of the year,’ the spectives communication, published in Febru-  Commissioner added. An initial task is expected ary, FP7 is likely to take the form a six plus two  to be the establishment of an agency. structure. This six major axes will be:  The new aspect in the communication relates to
 ‘One of the criticisms of the Sixth management. creating poles of excellence;
 Programme is that our decision- Framework launching technological initiatives in key industrial areas;  making processes are a bit cumbersome,’ said Mr
 Busquin. The attempt to streamline the process stimulating competition between fundamental research teams; involves several new approaches to mana d g i ement
gn syb ht eoCmm  u ; nder t o h u r e e s e e  h s e r a ch     t m n u e n p a   r n   in f t nr r o ah i s c r g e n siis: r   e o i nan‘memag neeb evadepuorg  hatth -xe‘ ,’pi
 ternalised management’ and ‘Commission man- developing research infrastructures of European interest;  agement’.
reinforcing co-ordination of national programmes. continued on page 2

PUBLISHED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION  INNOVATION

2

Scientific and technological advance outlined as EU objectives in Constitution

EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin is ‘happy and satisfied’ with the references to research in the new EU Constitution, according to a spokesperson. Not only does the document’s annex on due respect to the fundamental research make reference to achieving a orientations and choices of the research European Research Area (ERA) and re- polices of the Member States.’ A separate searcher mobility, but the four-line para- annex also guarantees animal welfare in graph on the objectives of the EU also the context of formulating and imple- refers explicitly to scientific and techno- European Council menting research policies. logical advance.  ‘The Union’s action shall aim to strengthen  The document sets the legal basis for the The references to research give EU re-  its scientific and technological bases, by  EU’s Framework Programmes for re- search policy a new and more solid base,  achieving a European Research Area in  search and, as a complement, the meas- the spokesperson told CORDIS News.  which researchers, scientific knowledge  ures necessary for the implementation of ‘[The Constitution] does not simply make  and technology circulate freely, and en-  the ERA. research a tool for the competitiveness  courage it to become more competitive, To see the draft constitutions and the of the EU by promoting applied research,  including in its industry, while promoting amendments agreed on 18 June respectively, but broadens the Commission’s compe-  all the research activities deemed neces- please visit:  eu.i ocuments/other/ /f tence, making research a shared compe-  sary by virtue of other Chapters of the .nefdp61ht4060 a.opur/e:/tphtmud/turutn o tence,’ said the spokesperson.  Constitution,’ states the document, ac- _ h cepted by the EU’s Heads of State and Gov- /8scmin/df.p0911 u..et/inp:ttue//smD_ta/aeuoDscc/ ssData/e docs/ pre   ernment late on 19 June. nodesaBnemucod1/04ts885/andorm40fhte An addition, the original text also makes vegomernalntonCerefecntnreI it clear that EU research activities ‘will pay R2NC8022

publis by:hed

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Enterprise Directorate-General Communication and Awareness Unit L-2920 Luxembourg Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]

CORDISfcous also available at: is http://www.co rdis.lu/focus/en/ B a s e d o n i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m C O R D I S N e w s availableon theWeb at:  http://www.cordis.lu/news

CORDISfosuc is published every two weeks by the Communication and Awareness Unit of the Enterprise Directorate-General as part of the Eu r o m m Co p e a nuni t y’s S i x t h R e s e a rch F r a m e w o r kP r o gr a m m e ,a n dp r es e n t s the latest news on European Union research and innovation and related p r o g r a m m e s a n d p o l i c i e s .

CORDIS FOCUS - NUMBER 248

continued from page 1 Commission launches debate on FP7 Management in partnership would involve It is not yet known who will preside over Member States, research stakeholders and discussions on FP7 once the new Commis- the Commission, and would be used for sion is formed later this year. Mr Busquin activities carried out to strengthen the co- said on 16 June that while he is very likely to herence between public and private re- be offered a seat in the European Parliament, search efforts, or coherence between Mem- having been elected as the first deputy for ber States’ technology policies. Within this his political party, the Socialist Party, he category, management structures would would prefer to first wait to see who the vary according to whether actions are be- next Belgian Commissioner will be. If a Bel- ing implemented under Article 171, Article gian is selected as the Commission Presi- 169 or otherwise. These actions are all likely dent, Mr Busquin will automatically lose his to involve the mobilisation of a critical mass position within the Commission. If the Presi- of resources in financial engineering dency goes to someone of another nation- schemes involving the European Investment ality, Mr Busquin believes that he has a good Bank and public and private funding. chance of being nominated as Belgium’s Externalised management would be used w C o o u m ld m   i c s o si n o ti n n e u r  e f   o a r s     t R h e e s   e n a e r x c t  h t   e C r o m. m  ‘ m W i h ss e i t o h n e e r  r I to support individual research teams and  is not for me to decide,’ he added. researchers, and would be used by a Euro- pean Research Council. To see the Commission communication, please visit: Management by the Commission would be http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/pdf/ used to support collaborative research, as com-2004-353_en.pdf has been the case under previous Frame- BasedonCORDISNewsattendanceata work Programmes. Talks that do not require issimmoCnoinefribadangmmissionCo the direct involvement of Commission staff nummocionicat will be entrusted to an external body. R2193CN2

28 JUNE 2004