Home Page

Israeli Hi-Tech

Int. R&D Programs

Innovation Relay Centre

Events Calendar

The OCS

Project Database

Company Database

Technological Incubators

About Matimop

Contact Us

Register at Matimop

Site Map
 

You are here: Intl. R&D Programs

Sections   SubSites   Matimop  



Fifth Framework Programme

The Fifth Framework Programme runs from 1998 until 2002. It is currently budgeted at 14 Billion ECU. This budget will probably be increased during the time frame of the programme. The first Calls for Proposal are expected before the end of 1998. 
 
The Fifth Framework Programme consists of four specific Thematic Programmes, each comprised of Key Actions with their own workplans. 

  1. First Activity

  2. Second Activity - Horizontal Theme: "Confirming the International Role of Community Research" 

  3. Third Activity - Horizontal Theme: "Promotion of Innovation and Encouragement of SME Participation"

  4. Fourth Activity - Horizontal Theme: "Improving Human Research Potential and the Socio-Economic Knowledge Base" 

FIRST ACTIVITY

THEME 1: QUALITY OF LIFE AND MANAGEMENT OF LIVING RESOURCES Improving the quality of life and health is a major challenge and the Community plans to tackle it by helping to increase knowledge and develop technologies in the field of the life sciences. 
At the same time, progress in this area will help to increase the competitiveness of the Community's enterprises by opening up new prospects in areas in which the Community already has a strong hand, such as biotechnology, agro-industry, and the fields of health and the environment, in which rapid progress continues to be made. 
 

  1. Key actions

    1. Food, nutrition and health 

    2. Control of infectious diseases

    3. The "cell factory" 

    4. Environment and health 

    5. Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry, including integrated development of rural areas

    6. The ageing population

    1. Research and technological development activities of a generic nature


      2. Chronic and degenerative diseases (in particular cancer and diabetes), cardio-vascular diseases and rare diseases 
      Research into genomes and diseases of genetic origin 
      Neuroscience 
      Research relating to public health and health services

    THEME 2: USER-FRIENDLY INFORMATION SOCIETY The convergence between information processing, communication and  content is increasingly pervading most industrial and social activities and is  increasingly critical to Europe's competitiveness and quality of life. The  advent of the information society is opening up the possibility of a wide range  of new activities for both individuals and companies in the Community, e.g. in  the fields of commerce, work, transport, the environment, education and  training, health and culture. Continuous efforts in relation to research,  technological development and technology take-up and demonstration are  necessary to realize the full potential of the Information Society. The  technological range of the key actions allows the possibility of a dynamic  concentration and a flexible implementation of the activities, reflecting  socio-economic priorities.  These efforts must, in all activities, tackle the universal issues such as  access, ease of use, cost-effectiveness and interoperability and  standardization, as well as socio-economic impact. 

    1. Key actions

      1. Systems and services for the citizen

      2. New methods of work and electronic commerce

      3. Multimedia content and tools

      4. Essential technologies and infrastructures

      The aim of this key action is to promote excellence in the technologies which are crucial to the Information Society, to speed up their introduction and broaden their field of application. 
      This action will focus as a matter of priority on: technologies for and management of information processing, communications and networks, including broad-band ones, together with their implementation, interoperability and application; technologies and engineering for software, systems and services, including high-quality statistics; real-time and large-scale simulation and visualization technologies; mobile and personal communications and systems, including satellite-related systems and services; interfaces making use of the various senses; peripherals, subsystems and microsystems; micro-electronics (technologies, tools, equipment and hardware necessary for the design and manufacture of circuits and components and the development of applications)./OL>

      THEME 3: COMPETITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH The objective is to produce and disseminate the knowledge and technologies needed to design and develop processes and produce high-quality, environment- and consumer-friendly products which will be  competitive on tomorrow's market, to help increase growth and create new  jobs in Europe and to sustain the continuing innovation effort of  manufacturing firms (including SMEs) so as to improve their  competitiveness.  This goes hand in hand with the development of transport systems which  are economic, safe, and protective of the environment and quality of life. 

      1. Key actions 

        1. Innovative products, processes and organization 

        2. Sustainable mobility and intermodality 

        3. Land transport and marine technologies 

        4. New perspectives in aeronautics

      THEME 4: ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT  Research and technological development in the field of the environment,  energy and the sustainable management of ecosystem resources is essential for the implementation of Union policies. Making use of the knowledge and technologies needed will make it possible to meet a wide range of needs. The results of this research will provide the basis for the framing of policies at Community level or deriving from international treaties.  This objective goes hand in hand with economic development and industrial competitiveness that respects the environment and quality of life. It necessitates clean, efficient, economic and diversified energy systems and services, including the introduction of new and renewable energy technologies. In particular, these should contribute to a substantial reduction in emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. 

      Although research and technological development in the field of environment and energy are closely related, they remain distinct areas, each requiring specific financial and administrative arrangements. 

      1. Environment and sustainable development 

      1. Key actions 

        1. Sustainable management and quality of water 

        2. Global change, climate and biodiversity 

        3. Sustainable marine ecosystems 

        4. The city of tomorrow and cultural heritage

      1. Research and technological development activities of a generic nature  the fight against major natural and technological hazards through the development of forecasting, prevention, impact assessment and mitigation techniques; the development of generic Earth observation technologies, notably satellite-borne technologies for environmental monitoring and resource and ecosystem management applications; the study of the socio-economic aspects of development of environmental change within the perspective of sustainable development (impact on society, the economy and employment).


        2.  

      2. Support for research infrastructures In accordance with the general objectives outlined above, activities should focus, for example, on data bases, marine-research facilities and computer centres for climate studies.

      2. Energy 

      1. Key actions

        1. Cleaner energy systems, including renewables

        2. Economic and efficient energy for a competitive Europe

      1. Research and technological development activities of a generic nature The study of the socio-economic aspects of energy within the perspective of sustainable development (impact on society, the economy and employment).

      SECOND ACTIVITY 

      HORIZONTAL THEME: "CONFIRMING THE INTERNATIONAL ROLE OF COMMUNITY RESEARCH"  The main purposes of this horizontal theme are to promote scientific and technological cooperation internationally; to reinforce Community capacities in the fields of science and technology; to provide general support for the achievement of scientific excellence within the wider international framework; and to contribute to the implementation of the Community's external policy also with the accession of new Member States in mind. 

      Specific actions in the "international cooperation" programme 

      On the basis of the cooperation policies in specific areas which the Community pursues with its various potential partners, three categories of action will be implemented with a specific international dimension, linked to specific problems facing these countries and not addressed by the other activities of the framework programme. Only these actions will be financed through the specific "international cooperation" programme. 

      Training of researchers 
      A system of fellowships will be set up to give young researchers from developing countries, Mediterranean and "emerging economy" countries the opportunity of collaborating in laboratories in the Community on specific projects of the framework programme. Another fellowship scheme will be provided for a limited number of young Community researchers so as to enable them to work in industrially-oriented laboratories of the highest quality in third countries in areas of particular interest to the Community. 

      THIRD ACTIVITY 

      HORIZONTAL THEME: "PROMOTION OF INNOVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF SME PARTICIPATION"  Innovation is a key factor in industrial competitiveness, sustainable social and economic development and job creation. The aim is to promote innovative activities, including the creation of innovative enterprises, and to facilitate the dissemination and exploitation of research results and support technology transfer. Small and medium-sized businesses are important vectors and actors in innovation. The development of SMEs can make a vital contribution to economic and social development, new economic activities, job creation and competitiveness. SMEs should be provided with easy access to the advanced technologies which they need, and to the opportunities offered by the Community's as well as the Member States' research programmes. 

      Promotion of innovation and SME participation, although not synonymous, are closely linked. As far as possible, this theme will therefore be implemented by means of joint action covering both areas. Furthermore, the activities carried out in this programme will be complementary to activities undertaken within Member States and to activities to promote innovation and encourage SME participation carried out elsewhere in the framework programme, and will therefore support, supplement and, as appropriate, give direction to these various efforts. 

      FOURTH ACTIVITY

      HORIZONTAL THEME: "IMPROVING HUMAN RESEARCH POTENTIAL AND THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC KNOWLEDGE BASE"  The world is increasingly based on knowledge. The Community’s prime asset in this area is the quality of its researchers, engineers and technicians. The aim is to preserve and help develop this knowledge potential through greater support for the training and mobility of researchers and by enhancing access to research infrastructures. The Community also has a solid tradition of research in social and economic science and the humanities, which needs to be mobilized to identify economic and social trends and requirements, both current and future, in order to contribute to the Community's competitiveness and the quality of life of its citizens. 


Additional links

back