1. NETWORKS OF EXCELLENCE KEY ISSUES David Fuegi david.fuegi@mdrpartners.com

2. Some Basic Issues 4 Significant change –Threat or opportunity? 4 Language –What language is this? What does it mean?

3. Some Other Issues 4 Where do libraries and the Cultural Heritage sector fit? –Is there a bigger or a smaller niche for the sector? 4 What about administration? –Will it be better? Or Worse?!! 4 Outsourcing –What does it mean? Is it good?

4. More Issues 4 Bigger projects –Who will want to co-ordinate them? 4 Calls for proposals –Will there still be rolling calls? 4 International co-operation –Welcome if simple and quick 4 What about social and educational aspects of our mission? –Do they fit here? They straddle two research themes?

5. What does this mean? ( )New instruments, involving simplified and decentralised management, and the exploitation of external technical support should, if fully exploited in this programme, enable personnel and administrative expenses to be reduced to a maximum of 5.5% of the overall amount deemed necessary for its implementation.

6. Problem or solution? ( )In implementing this programme, emphasis should be given to promoting mobility of researchers, and innovation, in the Community and encouraging the participation of SMEs, as well as international co-operation activities with third countries and international organisations. Special attention should be paid to the Accession countries.

7. Powerful financing instruments? 4 The programme will strive towards greater integration of research in Europe by means of focused action in priority thematic research areas, using powerful financing instruments (integrated projects and networks of excellence) which bring together the research actors in appropriate configurations for the new challenges that these priority research areas represent, and with critical mass;

8. Priority thematic areas of research 4 Genomics and biotechnology for health 4 Information Society technologies 4 Nanotechnologies, intelligent materials, new production processes 4 Aeronautics and space 4 Food safety and health risks 4 Sustainable development and global change 4 Citizens and governance in the European knowledge-based society

9. IST Research priorities 1 – The focus is on “ambient intelligence” for a broader inclusion of citizens in the Information Society, for more effective health, security, mobility and environment management and support systems, and for the preservation of cultural heritage, integration of multiple functionalities across these different domains will be also supported.

10. IST Research priorities 2 4 Research addressing work and business challenges: The objective is to provide businesses, individuals, public administrations, and other organisations with the means to fully contribute to, and benefit from the development of a trusted knowledge-based economy, whilst at the same time improving the quality of work and working life and support life-long continuous learning to improve work skills. Research will also aim at a better understanding of the socio-economic drivers and impact of IST development.

11. Citizens and Governance in the European Knowledge-based society 4 Research will focus on: features of a knowledge based society in line with European social models and the need to improve the quality of life; social and territorial cohesion, gender and intergenerational relations and social networks; implications of changes to work and employment; access to education and training, and life-long learning.

12. Finally….. 4 A reminder of some previous points made by the professionals

13. e-inclusion, health, mobility, protection of people and property, environment, leisure, cultural heritage e-business and e-government, electronic and mobile commerce, e-work systems, e- learning Technologies for major societal and economic challenges Technologies for major societal and economic challenges GRIDs and complex problem solving in science, engineering, businesses and for society technologies for trust and confidence

14. Cultural Heritage 6 th Framework Programme “For cultural heritage the effort will concentrate on intelligent systems for dynamic access to and preservation of tangible and intangible cultural and scientific resources.”

15.  New forms of digital libraries and content infrastructures  Intelligent heritage and artistic expression  Electronic archival and digital preservation  Community memory and cultural inclusion Cultural Heritage Issues for further development

16. Networks of excellence  Common programme of activities  Integrating part or totality of research activities of partners  Several M€/year  Selection by call for proposals  Support researchers from other countries via mobility instruments  Includes research activities

17. Networks of excellence  Progressive and lasting integration  Assembling a critical mass of skills  Creating a virtual centre of excellence  Multidisciplinary and oriented to long- term objectives  Not predefined in terms of products, processes or services  Includes spreading of excellence

18. Discussion and Questions? 4 Later!