Brussels, 15 January 2002
An amended proposal for the rules of participation in the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) has been published by the European Commission.
Two major changes were made to the initial text, following discussions at the last Research Council in Brussels in December. They are the removal of the definition of instruments (in chapter II) and the indication of the Community financial contribution according to type of instrument. These clauses have instead been transferred to Annex III of the draft decision establishing the Framework programme.
The same has been done in the equivalent proposal of the Euratom programme.
The amended proposal for the new rules of participation in the Framework programme will need to be adopted in a codecision procedure by the European Parliament, whereas for the equivalent document for Euratom needs a unanimous decision by the Council following consultation with the Parliament.
Some of the new features in the rules of participation which differ to those of the previous Framework programme include EU Member States and candidate countries participating on the same footing, European scientific cooperation organisations will be able to participate on the same basis as Member States, financial contributions will be made in the form of grants for integration or grants to the budget, depending on whether they are directed to networks of excellence or integrated projects, and finally, consortia will be able to change partners, subject to observation of the rules.
For the full text of the amended proposal, please consult the following web address: http://www.cordis.lu/rtd2002/fp-debate/ cec.htm