6th EC Framework Programme for Research Scientific Support to Policies: “Integrating and Strengthening the European Research Area” Area (i) Policy-oriented research

Integrating and strengthening ERA

Policy support Specific actions, two aspects: è Objectives and nature of research l supporting Community policies l through mostly traditional instruments è Flexible programming l Resources not fully attributed at the beginning of the programme l Choice strongly influenced by the actors involved

Objectives è Underpin formulation and implementation of Community policies è Provide scientific support that is: l Targeted precisely on needs (demand-driven) l Integrated across policy areas and relevant scientific inputs l Responsive to changes in policy requirements as they occur

Instruments è Specific targeted research projects è Co-ordination actions è Specific support actions (conferences, workshops, expert groups, studies) è (possibly) Integrated projects

Advantages of the approach è Provides for actions with a specific character l Visibility l Coherence; critical mass l Appropriate implementation (flexibility) è Ensures coherence with the other actions è Contributes to the ERA: A “system” of research to support policies which is coherent across the Union

Flexible programming /1 è Choice of initial priorities based on l expression of current needs l prioritisation process è Involving l user groups l S/T experts è Allowing a progressive l incorporation of new priorities in the work programme l allocation of the budget

Flexible programming /2 è Initial Priorities: l Defined in the modified proposal of the specific programme l Based on the first implementation of the programming method l EUR 265m allocated (total EUR 340m) è Other Priorities: l Based on future “cycles” of the programming method during the implementation of the programme

Selection of (new) priorities Open call Reception of proposals Evaluation Validation Incorporation of (new) priorities in the work programme Opinion of the relevant committees Commission DGs Political actors in MS (User groups) Scientific experts

Initial priorities è Sustainable management of Europe’s natural resources l Agriculture l Fisheries l Environment è Providing health, security and opportunity to the people of Europe l Public health l Sustainable social protection l Security, migration, crime è Underpinning the economic potential and cohesion of a larger and more integrated European Union l European economy, sustainable development l Transport/energy l Information society, education, cultural heritage

Sustainable management of Europe’s natural resources è Modernisation and sustainability of agriculture and forestry è Tools and assessment methods for sustainable agriculture and forestry management è The modernisation and sustainability of fisheries policy è New and more environment friendly production methods to improve animal health and welfare è Environmental assessment (soil, water, air, noise, including the effects of chemical substances) è Assessment of environmental technologies for support of policy decisions

Providing health, security and opportunity to the people of Europe è Health determinants and the provision of high quality and sustainable health care services and pension systems è Public health issues è The impact of environmental issues on health è Quality of life issues relating to handicapped/disabled people è comparison of factors underlying migration and refugee flows è improved means to anticipate crime trends and causes, and to assess the effectiveness of crime prevention policies; assessment of new challenges related to illicit drug use è issues related to civil protection and crisis management

Supporting the economic potential and cohesion of the EU è Underpinning European integration, sustainable development, competitiveness and trade policies è The development of tools/indicators for assessing sustainable transport and energy systems performance è Global security analysis and validation systems for transport; accident risks and safety in mobility systems è Information Society issues è The protection of cultural heritage and associated conservation strategies è Improved quality, accessibility and dissemination of European statistics

Scientific support to Policies complements the Thematic Priorities

What do we hope to achieve ? è Timely and effective scientific inputs to Community policies, with improved uptake of results è A more coherent research base, reflecting the increasing integration of policies and the science that underpins them è Systemic improvement in the relationships between research and policy at all levels in the EU è Effective implementation of the European Research Area, e.g. in relation to the “European science reference area”

Budget

Timetable è 1st Call (indicative EC contribution: 150 M€) l opens December 2002 l closes March 2003 è Next Calls starting in 2003 l open July 200x l close October 200x

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