Call for cooperative research (CRAFT) involving SMEs

Brussels, 17 Dec 2003

The European Commission has published a call for proposals in the area of 'cooperative research projects (CRAFT)' under the Sixth Framework Programme's 'horizontal research activities involving small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)' activity. This is one of the areas covered by the 'integrating and strengthening the European Research Area (ERA)' specific programme.

Cooperative research projects may address any research topic across the whole field of science and technology covered by Article 163 of the EC Treaty.

Cooperative research (area 9.2 of the work programme) contributes to the objectives of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) as regards SMEs and, in particular:

- supports SMEs in responding to pressures for continuous innovation and technological adaptation that are exacerbated by the completion of the European internal market and the intensification of competition;
- facilitates transnational cooperation in research between SMEs, research institutions and other organisations, which is essential to SMEs' competitiveness and internationalisation strategies;
- facilitates cooperative relations in research activities between SMEs, research institutions and other organisations, and enables SMEs to benefit from the many advantages of networking for innovation.

In specifying the instruments to be used in these areas, the call requests the use of specific research projects for SMEs (CRAFT projects). Proposers are advised to consult the full call text at the address below in order to find out the particular instruments requested for each area.

The total indicative budget for this call is 75 million euro. To see the call text, please visit: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cf m?CALL_ID=102 Remarks: The deadline for submitting proposal documents is 21 October 2004.

Before contacting the Commission, proposers are strongly advised to consult the original call text in the Official Journal of the European Union at the reference below.

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