Report from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UK

Citation

(2002), "Report from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UK", Kybernetes, Vol. 31 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2002.06731fab.004

Report from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UK

European Framework Programme – 2002

The new e17 billion European Framework Programme will be launched this year, with a very different flavour from previous Framework Programmes. EPSRC is keen to see its research community benefit from the programme and over the coming months we will keep you in touch with developments.

For you (and the UK) to benefit from the programme it is vital that you make early contact with potential partners, particularly as it is expected that the Commission will issue an initial call for expressions of interest in 2002.

About the Programme

It is structured into three parts:

• •

  Thematic – focusing and integrating community research in specific areas;

• •

  Horizontal – structuring the European Research Area (ERA) through provision of human resources and mobility, research infrastructures, etc;

• •

  Underpinning – strengthening the foundations of the ERA by coordinating activities.

In this note we concentrate on the Themaric strand of the programme as there are actions you will need to take now if you want to be involved.

Thematic areas

The Commission has decided to focus support on a limited number of thematic areas in order to achieve a real impact. These areas have been chosen to benefit European competitiveness and society.

The themes and expected budgets (in M) are:

... with an eighth priority addressing supporting policies and anticipating scientific and technological needs.

These are broad programmes and whilst it may not be obvious that your particular discipline is represented we think that you will find that, with the right partners, you will find a role.

Support Mechanisms

The mechanisms by which the Commission will provide support (referred to as "Instruments") will be very different under Framework 6 than under previous Programmes.

Programme support will mainly be provided via two new Instruments: "Integrated Projects" and "Networks of Excellence". These have been devised with the object of supporting projects large enough to mobilise a critical mass of researchers. In both cases the following general principles will apply:

• •

  The application process will be simplified;

• •

  There will be flexibility to allow projects to develop over the lifetime of the programme;

• •

  There will be increased autonomy for participants during the project;

• •

  The evaluation process will be changed to allow more ambitious proposals.

Integrated Projects

These are designed to support large-scale research projects with the aim of achieving clearly defined scientific and technological objectives. They are intended to reinforce European competitiveness or to help solve problems relevant to European society.

More information: www.ukro.ac.uk