Stepping up economic and technological intelligence: SMEs in FP6 call

Brussels, 03 Mar 2003

The European Commission has published a call for proposals in the area of 'stepping up economic and technological intelligence' under the Sixth Framework Programme's 'research and innovation' activity. This is one of the areas covered by the 'structuring the European Research Area [ERA]' specific programme.

This call specifically covers the participation of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), or SME groupings, in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), particularly within the new instruments: integrated projects and networks of excellence (Area 1.2.6 in the work programme).

This could be achieved by, for example:
- facilitating the creation of groupings or clusters of SMEs that have similar innovation needs;
- the promotion of transregional cooperation between SMEs;
- the stimulation of networks of industrial incubators.

These projects may include technology audits to identify SME needs and direct them towards the most appropriate instruments in the Framework Programme, and actions to create bridges across the research-innovation interface. The identification and dissemination of best practice will be encouraged.

In specifying the instruments to be used in these areas, the call requests the use of specific support actions and coordination actions. 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 estimated at between 200,000 and 2 million euro. To see the call text, please visit: http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/call_details.cf m?CALL_ID=59 Remarks: The deadline for submitting proposal documents is 29 April 2003

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

Document Reference: OJ No C49 of 01 03 2003, p.5

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