Brussels, 20 June 2002
A unanimous vote by committee MEPs approving a compromise deal on the rules of participation in the Sixth Framework programme took place on 19 June.
The vote, by the European Parliament's Industry, external trade, research and energy committee, approved a compromise deal reached by MEP rapporteur Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl and the Spanish Presidency. The compromise addresses most of the issues that had been raised by MEPs. A two stage procedure will now take place, whereby a brief description of a proposal will be submitted and evaluated before a more complete description is requested.
The criteria on which projects and proposals will be evaluated will change.
Most important will be the scientific and technological excellence of an application, along with its degree of innovation. Following this, other factors such as synergies with education, capacity to engage with actors beyond the research community and activities which increase the role of women, will all be considered.
The original report on the issue had been removed from the June plenary session of Parliament so as to allow for technical and linguistic amendments to be made, but the compromise is now expected to be presented to the next plenary session, due to start in Strasbourg on 1 July.
For further information, please contact:
Leena Maria Linnus
Tel: +32-2-2842825
E-mail: indu-press@europarl.eu.int