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Adoption
of a new research policy
The
most important development in Community research policy was the
adoption of the 5th Framework Programme of the European Community
(1998 to 2002) by the European Parliament and the Council in December
1998. This enables the new research policy to be put into action
from the start of 1999. As a result, Community research is adapted
to the context created by the launch of the single currency and
the start of accession negotiations with a view to enlargement of
the Union, bringing Europe greater economic integration and closer
to its historical and cultural frontiers. However, the major challenge
in Europe is still employment which depends, increasingly, on high-tech
sectors and on use of new technologies by traditional industries
and SMEs.
The
new Framework Programme concentrates resources principally on key
actions meeting the priority needs of society, paying particular
attention to the potential for applying the results. Its 14.96 billion
euro budget is 3% higher in real terms (allowing for inflation)
than that of the 4th Framework Programme. It will be characterised
by greater transparency, with new External Advisory Groups, improvements
in the flow of information to the Council and the European Parliament,
as well as fully revamped management tools for higher efficiency.
Community research will also provide strong support for the process
of enlargement of the European Union, in the form of association
of the eleven applicant countries with the 5th Framework Programme
from 1999 on.
Community RTD in 1998
The
Commission continued implementing the 4th Framework Programme and
finalised the allocation of its budget. In the process, 6 200 new
projects were started in 1998, with over 28 000 participations.
The new shared-cost actions (accounting for almost 90% of the financial
contributions from the Community) established almost 90 000 collaborative
links for researchers in the European Union, 83% of them transnational.
Participation by firms remained high in 1998, with 38% of participations,
65% of which were accounted for by SMEs.
Studies in 1998 highlighted the benefits which the Framework Programme
has brought for competitiveness and employment, for example by contributing
to the Community research on standardisation. The link between research
and innovation is one of the main themes of the Action Plan for
Innovation, which moved into its second phase in 1998. Numerous
projects also provided examples of the contribution made by Community
research to quality of life, in areas such as knowledge and conservation
of the environment, measures to combat natural or man-made hazards,
health and food, transport and conservation of Europe's cultural
heritage. The Framework Programme has also helped less favoured
regions to catch up in science and technology, as their rate of
participation in Community research remains proportionally higher
than their research potential.
Outlook for 1999
The
first calls for proposals were published in March 1999. The proposals
received for all the specific programmes will be evaluated just
before and during the summer so that a large number of projects
can be started by the end of the year. Starting in 1999 the Commission
will also engage in reflexions on the organisation of European research
after 2002.
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Summary
