(1) The Community has the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of the Community industry and to assure a high level of competitivity. To this end, the Community shall promote all the research activities deemed necessary, in particular by encouraging undertakings, including small and medium sized enterprises (“SMEs”), research centres and universities in their research and technological development activities

(1) The Community has set itself the objective of creating the knowledge society by developing the know-how and strengthening the scientific and technological bases of the Community industry, including service industries, with a view to assuring a high level of competitivity. To this end, the Community recognises the responsibility and independence of scientists, in the definition of the broad lines of research at the frontiers of knowledge, and it shall promote all the research activities deemed necessary, in particular by encouraging undertakings, including small and medium sized enterprises (“SMEs”), research centres and universities in their research and technological development activities, giving priority to those areas and projects where European funding and cooperation is of particular importance and gives an added value. Through its support for research at the frontiers of knowledge, applied research and innovation, the Community seeks to promote synergies in European research and thus provide a more stable foundation for the European Research Area. This will make a positive contribution to the social and economic progress of the 25 Member States.

Justification

The revival of the Lisbon strategy will not be possible without a strong boost from the European Research Area, and in particular from frontier research at EU level.

The participation of the service sector is of central importance if the Framework Programme is to be able to contribute to meeting the Lisbon objectives through growth and job creation.

(1a) To ensure wide dissemination of the knowledge generated by publically funded research activity, researchers must be encouraged to publish their findings and to disseminate scientific results. To this end, the case of ICT research based on 'open source' development is a model that has been successful in providing innovation and increasing collaboration.

(2) The central role of research in ensuring competitivity and economic growth was recognised by the European Council of Lisbon which highlighted knowledge and innovation as the heart of the economic progress, including growth of employment in Europe.

(2) The central role of research was recognised by the European Council of Lisbon which highlighted knowledge and innovation as the key, setting itself a new strategic goal for the next decade: to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic development and aiming at full employment with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

Justification

The Lisbon 'triangle' is worth mentioning.

(2a) The seventh Framework Programme is central to achieving the Lisbon strategic goal of Europe becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world. The triangle of knowledge - education, research and innovation - is a principal tool for achieving this goal.

(2b) The central role of knowledge and intangible goods in the production of economic, social and cultural wealth was recognised by the Lisbon European Council. In the knowledge-based society, innovation and knowledge production, far from flowing top-down, are widely distributed throughout society and are increasingly achieved by bottom-up processes. It is an aim of the Community to mobilize and strengthen all these research and innovation capacities.

(3a) To that end, many Member States, and European industry, must step up their research efforts in order to help make the promotion of research under the Seventh Framework Programme a success.

Justification

It must be made clear to the Member States that the achievement of the FP 7 objectives can only be achieved by greater financial input.

(3b) In order to more effectively attract private investment and to ensure that research and development most effectively contribute to enhancing European competitiveness, appropriate measures should be taken in the Framework Programme for the protection of intellectual property rights at an early stage in the research process. This is particularly important for SMEs, which have fewer ancillary advantages in a competitive market.

Justification

This is an addition to the original Amendment of the rapporteur, highlighting special SME needs.

(3c) Protection of intellectual property is essential feature for the development of the ERA. The European Patent Office should be reformed in its legal basis to reflect the change in the European Institutions and its procedures should be simplified towards a single European patent and in close coherence with the principle of monopoly granted for exploitation of the invention in exchange of and limited to its full disclosure. The participation of the private sector and the commercial exploitation of scientific and technical results should be encouraged but a balance between intellectual property rights and dissemination of knowledge should be found.

Justification

It is absolutely essential to guarantee the intellectual property rights with transparent and simplified procedures that would mostly benefit SMEs.

(3d) The Framework Programme must seek to ensure that in addition to securing a competitive edge for the European economy through increased investment in science, scientific research funded by the EU must be used, where possible, for the good of the Community, in particular in areas where there the market fails to invest.

Justification

Public funding should, where appropriate, contribute to improving people's lives, meeting people's needs and limiting risks faced by people as well as improving the economy.

(3e) Tax incentives may be a useful tool to increase funds for European research.

Justification

Tax incentives have been very beneficial in boosting research in the US and Europe should consider use of this tool.

(3f) The overriding aim of the whole Seventh Framework Programme must be to contribute to the European Union becoming the world’s leading research area. This requires the Framework Programme to be strongly focused on promoting and investing in world-class research. It is therefore imperative that the implementation of the specific programmes is based upon the principles of scientific excellence rather than other priorities. Only by creating opportunities for state-of-the-art research is it possible for the EU to become the world’s leading research area.

(4) The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed the importance of research, technological development and the increased role of knowledge for economic growth, most recently in its guidelines for future EU policy to support research of March 2005.

(4) The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed the importance of research, technological development and the increased role of knowledge for economic growth and social and environmental well-being, most recently in its guidelines for future EU policy to support research of March 2005.

Justification

The Lisbon goals will not be achieved if the social and environment well-being are not considered to contribute to economic growth.

(5) En tenant compte des besoins de recherche de toutes les politiques communautaires, et en s’appuyant sur un large soutien de la part de l’industrie, de la communauté scientifique, des universités et d’autres milieux intéressés en Europe, la Communauté devrait établir les objectifs scientifiques et technologiques à atteindre au titre de son septième programme-cadre, couvrant la période 2007-2013.

(5) En tenant compte des besoins de recherche de toutes les politiques communautaires, et en s’appuyant sur un large soutien de la part de l’industrie, de la communauté scientifique, des universités et d’autres milieux intéressés en Europe, la Communauté devrait établir les objectifs scientifiques et technologiques à atteindre au titre de son septième programme-cadre, couvrant la période 2007-2013; demande à la Commission que dans ses propositions (clause de révision 2009) la réorientation du cadre budgétaire, à la fois dans le domaines des recettes ainsi que dans celui des dépenses, les objectifs de la stratégie de Lisbonne soient prioritairement pris en compte et que le 7PCRD puisse en bénéficier.

Justification

Une dotation adéquate de moyens budgétaires du 7PCRD dans le prochain cadre budgétaire (clause de révision 2009) est un des facteurs clés pour récupérer le retard de l'Union. L'objectif du 3% ne peut pas être ultérieurement retardé.

(5a) Particularly relevant for industrial research are the European Technology Platforms (ETPs) and the Joint Technological Initiatives (JTIs). ETPs can evolve to represent a general tool for fostering European competitiveness.

Justification

The generalised involvement of all European enterprises be they Small or Medium or Large into an innovation effort is absolutely necessary for the competitiveness of our manufacturing industries. TPs and JTIs are an appropriate tool to expose all the enterprises to the advantages of the scientific and technological research for innovation.

(6) These objectives should build upon the achievements of the sixth Framework Programme towards the creation of the European Research Area and carry them further towards the development of a knowledge-based economy and society in Europe. Among these objectives the following are particularly important:

(6) These objectives should build upon the achievements of the sixth Framework Programme towards the creation of the European Research Area and carry them further towards the development of a knowledge-based economy and society in Europe which will fulfil the objectives of the Lisbon strategy in all Community sectoral policies. Among these objectives the following are particularly important:

(8) The dynamism, creativity and excellence of European research at the frontier of knowledge should be enhanced.

(8) The dynamism, creativity and excellence of European research at the frontier of knowledge should be enhanced. In view of this, financing more speculative basic research should be a clear priority of the Framework Programme.

(9) The human potential in research and technology in Europe should be strengthened quantitatively and qualitatively.

(9) The human potential in research and technology in Europe should be strengthened quantitatively and qualitatively; better education and easier access to research opportunities are the principal tools for achieving this goal, not least through a significant increase in the presence of women in research, and encouraging researcher mobility. To that end, Member States should be called upon to enforce the European Charter for Reseachers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, both instruments being necessary in order to establish a genuine European area for researchers.

Justification

If a genuine European area for researchers is to be brought into being, common rules will need to apply. To that end it would be useful if Member States were to adopt the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, since this would help to encourage greater researcher mobility.

Women make up a significant proportion of the unused human potential in the research sphere.

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(9a) The dialogue between science and society in Europe should be deepened in order to develop a science and research agenda that meets citizens' concerns, including by fostering critical reflection, and aimed at restoring public confidence in science.

Justification

In order restore public confidence in science and research, it is important to create mechanisms enabling European scientists to listen to the concerns of society regarding research projects. The proposal of the Commission gives the impression that the main problem is to convince the public opinion and can be solved with a "top-down" approach.

(9b) Special attention should be paid to facilitating the scientific career of junior, early-stage and early-career researchers, in the most productive period of life, to allow them to play a significant role in all Framework Programme activities. Early -stage and early-career researchers should become a major driving force of science in Europe. Concrete measures should be undertaken in this regard in all Framework Programme activities in the “Cooperation”, “Ideas” and “People” programmes..

Justification

The EU needs early stage and early career researchers by 2010, if the target of the 3% investment in research is to be achieved. The support for early stage and early career researchers in the proposal does not go far enough. Special attention and clear action are necessary for creating attractive, competitive conditions for early stage and early career researchers from around the world and for increasing the competitiveness of the European research system.

..

(9c) The innovative character of the Seventh Framework Programme lies in the concept of European research ‘at the frontier of knowledge’ and the fact that excellence is in this context to be the guiding criterion; the human potential that the Union can tap should consequently be put to the best possible use.

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Justification

To enable scientific research in Europe to develop in the true sense of the word, wide scope must be afforded to human potential.

(10) The research and innovation capacities throughout Europe should be enhanced and their optimal use should be ensured.

(10) The research, innovation and technology transfer capacities throughout Europe should be enhanced and their optimal use should be ensured by adopting an "Open Innovation" approach in order to support the emergence of world leading research in Europe. To that end, a debate might be held on the exemption from company tax of European subsidies awarded to SMEs under the Seventh Framework Programme.

Justification

An important new paradigm for ensuring growth from knowledge is Open Innovation. It refers to the trend of companies increasingly building on internal and external sources of ideas to create value from innovation. Firms that can harness outside ideas to advance their own business while leveraging their internal ideas outside their current operations will likely thrive. For this to happen, large firms, SMEs, universities and research institutes will need to work closely together in ecosystems for Open Innovation.

Optimal use of innovation capacities cannot be achieved without a debate on taxation at European level.

Technology transfer is where the EU is weakest and should be encouraged at every opportunity.

(10a) The translation of results from excellent research into products, processes and services must be stimulated.

Justification

Europe produces excellent research results but faces serious problems compared to its competitors when it comes translate them into innovation.

(10b) The scientific excellence of the project proposals should be the decisive criterion for the award of European funds.

Justification

It must be clearly stressed that scientific excellence remains the decisive criterion for the award of FP 7 funds. Only in this way can the ambitious objectives of the FP and the Lisbon Strategy be achieved.

(10c) Taking note of the Protocol on the Protection and Welfare of Animals to the Amsterdam Treaty, research for the development of alternative testing strategies and in particular non-animal methods in all research areas should be promoted and enhanced in order to reduce the use of animals in research and testing, with a view to ultimately replacing animal use.

Justification

The Protocol on the Protection and Welfare of Animals requires the Community and the Member States to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and implementing policies, including research policy. The development and validation of alternatives to animal testing is a priority under Art. 7.2 (a) and (b) of the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme, and Art. 23 of Council Directive 86/609/EEC requires the Commission and Member States to encourage research into the development of alternatives. The objective to promote and enhance the development of non-animal methods and alternative testing strategies should therefore be specifically included, in particular in view of the requirements of Council Directive 76/768/EEC on cosmetic products, as amended, and the objective of the proposed EU chemicals Regulation to promote non-animal testing.

(12) Under “Cooperation”, support should be provided to trans-national co-operation at every scale across the European Union and beyond, in a number of thematic areas corresponding to major fields of the progress of knowledge and technology, where research should be supported and strengthened to address European social, economic, environmental and industrial challenges.

(12) Under “Cooperation”, support should be provided to trans-national co-operation at appropriate scale across the European Union and beyond, in a number of thematic areas corresponding to major fields of the progress of knowledge and technology, where research should be supported and strengthened to address European social, economic, environmental, public health and industrial challenges, serve the public good and assist developing countries. Where possible, this programme will allow flexibility for mission orientated schemes which cut across the thematic priorities. To ensure that SME's interests are adequately taken into account in the decision-making procedures of the Technology Platforms, they should be represented by both their national and international representatives. The programme should also ensure that the EU is able to maintain its leading position in sociology and humanities research into the interaction between people and new technology, and into the significance of technology for the development of society as a whole.

Justification

The Framework Programme should, where possible, meet the needs of those living in the developing world. The Cooperation programme should also be more flexible so as to allow projects which cross themes, to easily access funding. For example, in the case of developing a green car, transport, energy, ICT and New Production Technology themes are all applicable. This type of multidisciplinary should be actively encouraged.

As SMEs often do not have adequate resources to actively participate in Technology Platforms, and as the involvement of SMEs is important to the establishment of the strategic research agenda, a solution would be to involve them via their national and international representatives.

Applications and technologies derived from scientific discoveries shape our every-day lives and challenge our ethical views. Prioritising science is therefore based on a political choice and should therefore aim towards strengthening the public good.

A better understanding of the interaction between technology and society and of the broad lines of the development of society in general is also an essential pre-requisite with a view to exploiting to the full the advantages of technology and gearing policies to take account of demographic and cultural trends. In the long term this will provide Europe with both an economic and a competitive advantage.

The experiences of the researchers involved show that smaller projects are generally more efficient and more scientifically productive.

(13) Under “Ideas”, activities should be implemented by a European Research Council (“ERC”), which should enjoy a high degree of autonomy.

(13) Under “Ideas”, activities should be implemented by a European Research Council (“ERC”), which should enjoy a high degree of autonomy. It is essential to develop very high-level frontier research at EU level, building on excellence in Europe and raising its profile above that of the activities carried out in the Member States. After an initial phase, the ERC will have regular contact with the European Institutions and the scientific community in order to agree an organisational method by which to support the work of the ERC and promote its interests in the public sphere.

Justification

Frontier research is the real innovation of the 7th FP. This research at EU level will provide a genuine added value which will benefit all actors in the scientific community.

(14) Under “People”, individuals should be stimulated to enter into the researcher’s profession, European researchers should be encouraged to stay in Europe, researchers from the entire world should be attracted to Europe and Europe should be made more attractive to the best researchers.

(14) The objectives of the “People” programme should be as follows:- encouraging more gifted individuals to enter the profession of researcher; promoting convergence of training methodologies and options where researchers are concerned, extending also to the skills that they acquire; ensuring that European researchers stay in or return to Europe; making it easier for researchers to move from public to private research institutions and vice versa; and attracting researchers from all over the world to Europe. To that end, efforts should be made to improve the mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications acquired on the territory of the Community and in third countries. The successful Marie Curie Programme, which has been welcomed by applicants, should be continued with the existing instruments. The mobility of researchers in Europe should be given priority in order to secure the diffuse dissemination of knowledge and to ensure that innovative frontier research in various disciplines benefits from dedicated and competent researchers, as well as increased financial resources.

Justification

Compared with the Commission wording, the new wording of recital 14 does not significantly alter the substance of the text, but serves to spell out not only the ambitious objectives of the ‘People’ specific programme, but also the need to promote convergence of the skills that researchers acquire while undergoing training.

The European Parliament adopted on 10 March 2005 “Guidelines for future European Union policy to support research” (2004/2150(INI)). In these guidelines, the European Parliament calls on the European institutions to consider as a priority the promotion of women's access and career advancement in the field of research, including means of affirmative action and proposes the launching of European initiatives aimed at removing cultural stereotypes and barriers which discourage women from following a scientific education path (Subheading “Human resources”, point 23).

The European Parliament firmly believes that the successful Marie Curie Programme, which has been welcomed by applicants, should be continued with the existing instruments and ought also to ensure that top-level international scientists, including those of the younger generation, will opt for European research work. The European Parliament recognises the success of the Marie Curie actions and recommends a substantial increase in funding for them (Subheading “Human resources”, point 25).

It would be sensible to add a targeted programme component seeking to encourage the return to Europe of researchers from other countries, since in this way valuable discoveries and results could also be brought back to Europe.

The notion of “dual careers” should also be introduced to promote the mobility of researchers, in the sense of permitting greater permeability between private and public research.

In order to encourage European researchers to remain in Europe and to attract foreign researchers, it is essential to accelerate the mutual recognition of qualifications acquired in the Member States and abroad so as not to hinder the movement of researchers on Community territory.

(14a) The “People” programme should serve to raise the quality and the scale of the human potential for research and technology in Europe, not least by recognising the “profession” of researcher. This would enable excellence to be maintained in basic research, promote even development of technological research, and greatly encourage researcher mobility towards and away from Europe.

Justification

This new recital further clarifies the objectives of the ‘People’ programme by adding the concept of research as a profession, which should be accorded the same dignity as other professions.

(14b) Under "People", children's curiosity and interest in science should be fostered within an environment which triggers curiosity for science in children and young people, by reinforcing science education at all levels including schools and promoting interest and participation in science among young people.

(18d) The participation of the business sector and the commercial exploitation of scientific knowledge and technical skills are important factors in ensuring that the seventh Framework Programme can make a contribution to the Lisbon agenda and the creation of growth and jobs.

Justification

This is to overcome one of key European weaknesses -“European Paradox” in generating splendid scientific knowledge and insufficient ability to convert this knowledge into innovation and commercial products For this, integration between FP7 and CIP Programmes should be pursued.

(19) Given the widely supported enlarged scope of the Framework Programme actions, the leverage effect of funding in national and private investments, the need to enable the Community to meet new science and technology challenges, the vital role the Community intervention plays in making the European research system more efficient and effective, the contribution of a larger seventh Framework Programme to the reinvigoration of the Lisbon strategy, there is a pressing need to double the EU research budget.

(19) Given the widely supported enlarged scope of the Framework Programme actions, the leverage effect of funding in national and private investments, the need to enable the Community to meet new science and technology challenges and make full use of its researchers' potential without any form of discrimination, the vital role the Community intervention plays in making the European research system more efficient and effective, the contribution of a larger seventh Framework Programme to the effort of finding solutions to climate change and sustainability, the health of Europe's population as well as reinvigoration of the Lisbon strategy, there is a pressing need to double the EU research budget.

Justification

The best use of the potential of all researchers, both men and women, in the field of research should be a priority for the European Union.

(21) Since the objective of the actions to be taken in accordance with Article 163 of the Treaty in contributing towards the creation of a knowledge-based society and economy in Europe cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this seventh Framework Programme does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

(21) Since the objective of the actions to be taken in accordance with Article 163 of the Treaty in contributing towards the creation of a knowledge-based society and economy in Europe cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore be better achieved at Community level, in closer partnership with the European regions, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this seventh Framework Programme does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives.

Justification

In keeping with Article 163 and with the scope of Article 5, as well as to make the programme more efficient and effective, Europe’s regions need to be more fully involved.

(25a) Community competences with regard to research are laid down in Article 163 et seq. of the EC Treaty; those provisions state that the Community is to complement the activities carried out in the Member States with a view to achieving the objective of strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community industry, encouraging its competitiveness at international level and promoting research activities.

Justification

Included in Legal affairs committee’s opinion 2003.

(25b) The Community’s competences with regard to research complement those of the Member States and the Community should make use of those complementary competences essentially through initiatives to provide financial support and/or non-binding coordination or to support and complement national policies. This may never, even indirectly, equate to harmonisation of national provisions.

Justification

Included in Legal affairs committee’s opinion 2003.

(29d) The roles and duties of the new executive agencies proposed by the Commission for the administration and management of mobility and SME-specific support actions will be clearly defined in the Rules for Participation.

Justification

Danger of conflict of competences between the institutions involved. Critical assessment of further development of agencies by the EP.

(i) Security and Space.

(i) Security;

Justification

Since there are not many evident links between space and security they should be considered as distinct themes.

(ia) Space.

Justification

Since there are not many evident links between space and security they should be considered as distinct themes.

(4) People: strengthening, quantitatively and qualitatively, the human potential in research and technology in Europe.

(4) People: strengthening, quantitatively and qualitatively, the human potential in research, technological development and entrepreneurship in Europe and supporting the increased mobility of researchers in Europe.

The seventh Framework Programme shall be implemented through specific programmes. These programmes shall establish precise objectives and the detailed rules for implementation.

The seventh Framework Programme shall be implemented through specific programmes. These programmes shall establish precise objectives and the detailed rules for implementation in accordance with Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002.

Justification

The implementation of the EU Budget should follow the Financial Regulation.

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3a. The above amounts shall be amended when the Financial Framework is revised by 2011.

3b. The Commission shall provide prior information to the budgetary authority whenever it intends to depart from the breakdown of expenditure set out in the remarks and annex to the annual general budget of the European Union.

Justification

To improve the financial monitoring of Community financed research activities, the rapporteur considers that the Commission should inform the budgetary authority on the implementation of specific programmes on a regular basis and provide prior information whenever it intends to depart from the breakdown of expenditure stated in the general budget

Monitoring, assessment and review

Monitoring, evaluation, assessment and review

1. Not later than 2010, the Commission shall carry out, with the assistance of external experts, an interim evaluation of this Framework Programme and its specific programmes on the quality of the research activities under way and progress towards the objectives set.

1. The Commission, with the assistance of external experts, shall keep this Framework Programme and its specific programmes under continuous and systematic review, and shall carry out at least two interim evaluations, one in 2009 and the other in 2011 based on empirical methodologies; where appropriate, it shall propose modifications to the objectives and research activities in order to enhance their efficiency and effect and to take account of emerging fields of research. New funding instruments and participation rules will also be subject to an evaluation as to their simplicity and flexibility. The results of the evaluation, including the findings on the effectiveness of new actions and structures (especially the ERC and JTIs) as well as the results of the simplification procedures, shall be presented to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

Prior to the commencement of the seventh Framework Programme, data necessary for a thorough impact assessment evaluation report will be identified, in order to ensure that consistent data methodologies are used to collate that information. The Commission will also collate data detailing where Framework funding is allocated across the EU.

Justification

Given that the seventh framework programme is to last longer than its predecessors (seven years as opposed to four years), it will need to be kept permanently under review, and at least two interim evaluations will have to be carried out for the purpose of assessing the operation of its many new features and, where necessary, applying corrective measures.

Evaluation is a key requirement if the achievements and failures of the Framework Programme are to be measured in any meaningful way. To do this we need to be sure that comparable evaluation methodologies are being used and that they are identified at the beginning of the programme, thereby ensuring that comparative data exists at the end of the programme. For example, patents registered, publications, and instances of technology transfer. There should be one Mid Term Review and one overall evaluation of the outcomes of the programme. Having two reviews is excessive and unhelpful.

The interim evaluation should not be confined to the FP 7 and its Specific Programmes, but – in line with the call made in the FP 7 for thorough-going simplification of participation rules – should also be extended to the funding instruments and participation rules, particularly to any newly-introduced provisions.

The following strategic lines will be supported by the programme; the ERA, SME involvement, private sector finance, policy-based research, complementarity with national policies, attracting and retaining researchers in the EU, and technology transfer.

Justification

Distinctions between basic and applied research are not relevant in relation to the framework programme which emphasises excellent frontier research and the accompanying technological transfer. Strategic lines should reflect this emphasis and the other core principles which will drive programme.

Europe must aim for true excellence in research in order to become a leading player in cutting-edge research, technological development and demonstration activities.

Justification

Excellency must always be the main principle governing European research in accordance with the goals set out at Lisbon.

In this part of the 7th Framework Programme, support will be provided to trans-national co-operation at every scale across the European Union and beyond, in a number of thematic areas corresponding to major fields of the progress knowledge and technology, where research must be supported and strengthened to address European social, economic, environmental and industrial challenges.

In this part of the 7th Framework Programme, support will be provided to trans-national co-operation at every scale across the European Union and beyond, in a number of thematic areas corresponding to major fields of the progress knowledge and technology, where the highest quality research must be supported and strengthened to address European social, economic, environmental and industrial challenges, and fields of research that have been neglected over the years, with particular reference to the medical needs of developing countries.

Justification

The 7th Framework programme must encourage the best work, on basic and applied research.

The nine themes determined for EU action are the following:

The ten themes determined for EU action are the following:

(1) Health;

(1) Health;

(2) Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology;

(2) Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology;

(3) Information and Communication Technologies;

(3) Information and Communication Technologies;

(4) Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies;

(4) Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies;

(5) Energy;

(5) Energy;

(6) Environment (including Climate Change);

(6) Environment (including Climate Change);

(7) Transport (including Aeronautics);

(7) Transport (including Aeronautics);

(8) Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities;

(8) Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities;

(9) Security and Space.

(9) Security

(9a) Space.

Justification

A consequence of the separation of Security and Space into distinct themes.

Special attention will be paid to priority scientific areas which cut across themes, such as marine sciences and technologies.

Special attention will be paid to the effectiveness of coordination between thematic areas and scientific areas which cut across themes.

Thus, a joint call will be organised, stressing in particular the inter- and multi-disciplinary aspects, in those thematic priorities which clearly imply the interrelation of various disciplines such as social sciences and natural sciences. To this end, calls will include criteria to assess the level of interdisciplinarity.

The involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular knowledge-based SMEs, must be secured by means of practical support measures accompanied by quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the objectives achieved.

Justification

In view of the essential role played by SMEs in innovation and in improving competitiveness, the contribution which they make must be secured and assessed as part of the framework programme.

In the case of subjects of industrial relevance in particular, the topics have been identified relying, among other sources, on the work of different “European Technology Platforms” set up in fields where Europe’s competitiveness, economic growth and welfare depend on important research and technological progress in the medium to long term. European Technology Platforms bring together stakeholders, under industrial leadership, to define and implement a Strategic Research Agenda. This Framework Programme will contribute to the realisation of these Strategic Research Agendas where these present true European added value.

In the case of subjects of industrial relevance in particular, the topics have been identified relying, among other sources, on the work of different “European Technology Platforms” set up in fields where Europe’s competitiveness, economic growth and welfare depend on important research and technological progress in the medium to long term.

The nine themes also include research needed to underpin the formulation, implementation and assessment of EU policies, such as in the areas of health, safety, consumer protection, energy, the environment, development aid, fisheries, maritime affairs, agriculture, animal welfare, transport, education and training, employment, social affairs, cohesion, and justice and home affairs, along with pre-normative and co-normative research relevant to improving the quality of standards and their implementation.

The nine themes also include research needed to underpin the formulation, implementation and assessment of EU policies, along with pre-normative and co-normative research and independent expertise relevant to improving interoperability and competition by improving the quality of standards and their implementation.

Justification

It is superfluous to give a list of EU policies.

– Emerging needs: through specific support for spontaneous research proposals aiming at identifying or further exploring, in a given field and/or at the intersection of several disciplines, new scientific and technological opportunities, in particular linked with a potential for significant breakthroughs;

– Future and emerging technologies: there is a need to encourage research aiming at identifying or further exploring, in a given field and/or in combination with other relevant areas and disciplines, new scientific and technological opportunities, through specific support for spontaneous research proposals, including joint calls; there is also a need to cultivate original ideas and radically new uses and to explore new options in the form of road maps, in particular when linked with a potential for significant breakthroughs; adequate coordination with activities pursued under the "Ideas" programme heading will be needed in order to prevent any overlap and permit optimum use of funds.

Justification

There is a need to disseminate the positive experience gained in the IST thematic area under the 6th FPRD, consisting in reserving part of the funds for each theme to finance future and emerging technologies.

In order to strengthen the diffusion and use of the output of EU research, the dissemination of knowledge and transfer of results, including to policy makers, will be supported in all thematic areas, including through the funding of networking initiatives, seminars and events, assistance by external experts and information and electronic services in particular CORDIS. Actions to support innovation will be taken under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. Support will also be provided to initiatives aiming at engaging the dialogue on scientific issues and research results with a broad public beyond the research community, and in the field of scientific communication and education. Ethical principles and gender aspects will be taken into account.

In order to strengthen the diffusion and use of the output of EU research, the dissemination of knowledge and transfer of results, including to policy makers, will be supported in all thematic areas, including through the funding of networking initiatives, seminars and events, assistance by external experts and information and electronic services in particular CORDIS. Actions to support innovation will be taken under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring the adequate participation of SMEs, in particular knowledge-intensive SMEs, in transnational cooperation. Therefore, concrete measures, including special calls for SMEs, “National Exploratory Awards”, and support actions to facilitate SME participation will be taken throughout the “Cooperation” programme. Support will also be provided to initiatives aiming at engaging the dialogue on scientific issues and research results with a broad public beyond the research community, and in the field of scientific communication and education. Ethical principles, gender aspects and the involvement of early stage researchers will be taken into account.

The Community will support technology transfer activities and contribute to bridging the gap between research and its commercialisation by providing finance to the European Investment fund (EIF) to manage a “Technology Transfer Facility”. Subject to, and in accordance with, detailed arrangements to be established by a regulation adopted pursuant to Article 167 of the Treaty and the Council decisions adopting the specific programmes, the facility will finance technology transfer activities of universities, research centres or other legal entities active in the field of technology transfer.

The wide variety of activities funded under the Framework Programme makes the proper integration and coordination of activities necessary. To avoid fragmentation and overlapping competencies, there should be more cooperation between national and European research programmes, and between economic actors in the long-term research agenda.

Justification

Fragmentation is a major obstacle to the success of the European research agenda.

Raising competitiveness of European research requires that the potential across the whole ERA is fully unlocked. Therefore, projects aiming at the providing scientific excellence, while fostering a true ERA through the formation of broad-based consortia, will explore possibilities for optimal use of human and financial resources.

European Technology Platforms

European Technology Platforms (ETPs) are mechanisms to bring together all interested stakeholders to develop their respective Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) and follow them up with concrete distribution of tasks among them.

ETPs will facilitate the participation of single enterprises (especially SMEs) or groups of enterprises in research projects relating to their specific fields of competence.

In order to fully exploit their competitiveness potential, regional research-driven clusters, have the possibility of joining ETPs.

The financial institutions should mobilise capital to facilitate loans for projects implementing SRAs, using all financing options, including the Risk Sharing Finance Facility, which is an instrument of the Framework Programme.

To support the development of the European Research Area, existing European institutions and universities, in their capacity as fundamental centres of excellence in the area of scientific and technological research, should be supported in developing and enhancing their excellence by increasing points of contact and general coordination with other research and innovation activities at national and regional level. This will be achieved through introducing new networking and integration tasks into the remit of the Networks of Excellence.

This will be achieved by supporting collaborative research through a range of funding schemes: Collaborative projects, Networks of Excellence, Co-ordination/support actions (see Annex III).

This objective will be achieved by supporting collaborative research through a range of funding schemes: by far the largest number of projects will be Collaborative projects and Networks of Excellence, Co-ordination/support actions (see Annex III).

Collaborative projects should cover research and demonstration activities, bringing results closer to the market and linking this action line with instruments offered by the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme.

In a limited number of cases, the scope of a RTD objective and the scale of the resources involved justify setting up long term public private partnerships in the form of Joint Technology Initiatives. These initiatives, mainly resulting from the work of European Technology Platforms and covering one or a small number of selected aspects of research in their field, will combine private sector investment and national and European public funding, including grant funding from the Research Framework Programme and loan finance from the European Investment Bank. Joint Technology Initiatives may be decided on the basis of Article 171 of the Treaty (this may include the creation of a joint undertaking) or on the basis of the Specific Programme Decisions in accordance with Article 166 of the Treaty.

In a limited number of cases, the scope of a RTD objective and the scale of the resources involved justify setting up long term public private partnerships in the form of Joint Technology Initiatives. These new instruments should be based on the activities developed by the European Technology Platforms and the smooth passage from the Strategic Research Agendas must be ensured by the Commission. Clearly defined criteria and guidelines must be established for the selection of JTIs. Implemented under Article 171 of the Treaty, such Joint Undertakings must combine public and private funds. The EIB must mobilise capital to facilitate loans under The Risk Sharing Finance Facility. The Risk Sharing Finance Facility, jointly implemented by the EIB and the Commission, must be managed by an appropriate joint committee and organised as an instrument of the Framework Programme. It must compile a report containing recommendations for budgetary distribution among the RTD priorities in the JTIs in line with the Barcelona priorities. The activities should also be coordinated with the EIF to provide financial resources for SMEs.

Justification

Following the Lisbon objectives “building the Knowledge society” FP7 is built upon the concept of the European Space of Research (ERA). It aims at reinforcing excellence and in what concerns the thematic areas of interest for industry the topics have been selected based on the activities developed by the different European Technology Platforms. These have been constituted in the domains where competitiveness and economic growth depend very much on the results on short and medium term of technological research. The ETPs - 28 up to date-represent very valuable instruments to build PPPs (Public Private Partnerships) and when necessary following Art 171 Joint Undertakings can be organised to accomplish specific tasks in well defined sectors. As the ETPs are new concept and the JTIs are new instruments in FP7 specific support actions and specified decision making procedures and follow up has to be established.

European Technological Platforms should make use of the extensive experience gained by the EUREKA clusters, which have successfully contributed to the growth of Strategic Research Areas in Europe.

Justification

Involving such clusters alongside the development, evolution and implementation of FP7 projects will likely result in positive synergies for both the Framework Programme and EUREKA.

Potential Joint Technology Initiatives will be identified on the basis of a series of criteria including:

Potential Joint Technology Initiatives will be identified in an open and transparent way on the basis of an evaluation using a series of criteria:

– The existence of a genuine, societal need and commitment from industry.

- Added value of European-level intervention.

– Added value of European-level intervention measured in terms of excellence and synergies obtained through cross-border cooperation.

– Relevance of benefit to society.

– Inability of existing instruments to achieve the objective.

– Scale of the impact on industrial competitiveness and growth.

– Capacity to encourage entrepreneurship.

– The degree and clarity of definition of the objective to be pursued.

– The degree and clarity of definition of the objective and deliverables to be pursued.

– Agenda for the training of researchers involved.

– Strength of the financial and resource commitment from industry.

– Strength of the financial and resource commitment from industry.

– Scale of the impact on industrial competitiveness and growth.

– Importance of the contribution to broader policy objectives.

– Importance of the contribution to broader policy objectives.

– Capacity to attract additional national support and leverage current or future industry funding.

– Capacity to attract additional national support and leverage current and future industry funding.

– Inability of existing instruments to achieve the objective.

(The indents have been reordered)

The nature of the Joint Technology Initiatives must be clearly defined, in particular with regard to matters concerning:

- financial commitments;

- duration of the commitment of the participants;

- regulations for entering and exiting the contract;

- intellectual property rights.

Particular attention will be paid to the overall coherence and coordination between Joint Technology Initiatives and national programmes and projects in the same fields.

Considering the wide scope and particular complexity of the Joint Technology Initiatives, significant efforts will be made to ensure their transparent operation in line with principles of excellence. Particular attention will be paid to the overall coherence and coordination between Joint Technology Initiatives and national programmes and projects in the same fields. Their implementation procedures should include specific roadmaps for the inclusion of SME’s and technology transfer, as well as programmes for the education and training of researchers taking part. Member States and the Commission must make common efforts to establish coherent coordination actions and provide the financial backing to implement them.

Justification

Excellence should be the watchword for activities in the framework programme.

Joint technology initiatives should are an excellent tool for the participation of SME’s on research and reducing the technology gap.

The collaboration between academia and industry should be enforced. It should never be underestimated power of training and education for the improvement of researchers' capacities.

“Overall coherence and coordination” implies an organisational and monetary effort that must be additional to the expenditure of involved companies.

– Applying, in a limited number of areas, the successful ERA-STAR model of cooperation between European regions and small or medium-sized Member States to the governance of long-term programmes such as Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES).

Justification

ERA-STAR is an ERA-NET project in which medium-sized European regions and Member States are participating, cooperating with each other in what is seen as a promising arrangement. This project is particularly suitable for the governance of a programme such as GMES, in which the needs of the European regions should be duly taken into account.

The participation of the Community in national research programmes jointly implemented on the basis of Article 169 is especially relevant to European co-operation on a large scale in “variable geometry” between Member States sharing common needs and/or interests. Such Article 169 initiatives will be launched in areas to be identified in close association with the Member States, including the possible cooperation with intergovernmental programmes, on the basis of a series of criteria:

The participation of the Community in national research programmes jointly implemented on the basis of Article 169 is especially relevant to European co-operation on a large scale in “variable geometry” between Member States sharing common needs and/or interests. Such Article 169 initiatives will be launched in areas to be identified in close association with the Member States, including the possible cooperation with intergovernmental programmes such as EUREKA, on the basis of a series of criteria:

Justification

is an intergovernmental initiative which functions through a network of 35 National Project Coordinators (NPCs) and one at the European Commission’s DG Research. EUREKA supports cross-border projects with a strong European dimension and focus on European Strategic Research Areas, thus creating growth and employment for the country which positive effects are also shared by the European community at large. Close cooperation between EUREKA and the Community programmes is advice to avoid fragmentation of efforts and funding and overlapping in key thematic areas.

– Social and environmental added value.

International cooperation actions under this part of the Framework Programme will be:

International cooperation actions must show clearly defined European added value. and. Under this part of the Framework Programme such actions will be:

– The opening of all activities carried out in the thematic areas to researchers and research institutions from all third countries, with a strong effort to encourage them to seize this opportunity.

– Increased participation in the thematic areas by researchers and research institutions from third countries, with appropriate restrictions for the Security theme in connection with issues of confidentiality, with a strong effort to encourage them to seize this opportunity.

Justification

There need to be special provisions to cover participation by third-country bodies in projects under the Security theme.

For projects of international cooperation a clearly defined European added value must also be shown.

- Specific co-operation actions in each thematic area dedicated to third countries in the case of mutual interest in co-operating on particular topics. Closely associated with the bilateral co-operation agreements or multilateral dialogues between the EU and these countries or groups of countries, these actions will serve as privileged tools for implementing the co-operation between the EU and these countries. Such actions are, in particular: actions aiming at reinforcing the research capacities of candidate countries as well as neighbourhood countries; cooperative activities targeted at developing and emerging countries, focusing on their particular needs in fields such as health, agriculture, fisheries and environment, and implemented in financial conditions adapted to their capacities.

- Specific co-operation actions in each thematic area dedicated to third countries in the case of mutual interest in co-operating on particular topics. Closely associated with the bilateral co-operation agreements or multilateral dialogues between the EU and these countries or groups of countries, these actions will serve as privileged tools for implementing the co-operation between the EU and these countries. As well as serving fields of mutual interest, such actions also include: actions aiming at reinforcing the research capacities of candidate countries as well as neighbourhood countries and cooperative activities targeted at developing and emerging countries, focusing on their particular needs in fields such as health, with particular emphasis on orphan and neglected diseases, agriculture, fisheries and environment, and implemented in financial conditions adapted to their capacities.

Justification

It should be clear that international specific cooperation actions under the Cooperation Programme shall cover in particular research fields of mutual interest for the EU and third countries.

More attention must be given to orphan and neglected diseases.

An overall strategy for International Cooperation within the Framework Programme will be prepared, defining objectives, European interest and specific areas of cooperation with each group of countries. The strategy will indicate areas in which third country participation should be limited, e.g. in security research.

Justification

Strategy will ensure coherent approach to the broad area of International Cooperation and will improve effectiveness. In the case of security, limited access to the information issues is necessary.

The sequencing of the human genome and the recent advances in post-genomics have revolutionised research into human health and diseases. Integrating the vast amounts of data and understanding underlying biological processes requires bringing together critical masses of various expertises and resources that are not available at a national level. Significant advances in translational health research, which is essential to ensure that biomedical research provides practical benefits, also requires multidisciplinary and pan-European approaches involving different stakeholders. Such approaches allow Europe to contribute more effectively to international efforts to combat diseases of global importance.

The sequencing of the human genome and the recent advances in post-genomics have revolutionised research into human health and diseases. Integrating the vast amounts of data, understanding underlying biological processes and developing key technologies for health related bio-industries requires bringing together critical masses of various expertises and resources that are not available at a national level. Significant advances in translational health research, which is essential to ensure that biomedical research provides practical benefits, also requires multidisciplinary and pan-European approaches involving different stakeholders. Such approaches allow Europe to contribute more effectively to international efforts to combat diseases of global importance.

Justification

The strongest challenge for innovation in health in the years to come lies in the successful incorporation of new technologies, including new bio-processes, into heath related industries.

Clinical research on many diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, mental and neurological diseases, in particular those linked with ageing, such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases) relies on international multi-centre trials to achieve the required number of patients in a short time-frame. Epidemiological research requires a large diversity of populations and international networks to achieve significant conclusions. Developing new diagnostics and treatments for rare disorders also require multi-country approaches to increase the number of patients for each study. And performing health policy-driven research at the European level enables comparisons of the models, systems, data, and patient material held in national databases and biobanks.

Clinical research on many diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, auto-immunity and infectious diseases, allergic diseases, epilepsy, trauma, rheumatic diseases, respiratory system diseases, mental and neurological diseases, in particular those linked with ageing, such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases) relies on international multi-centre trials to achieve the required number of patients in a short time-frame. Epidemiological research requires a large diversity of populations and international networks to achieve significant conclusions. Developing new engineering approaches for biologicals and cells, and new diagnostics and treatments for rare disorders also require multi-country approaches to increase the number of patients for each study. And performing health policy-driven research at the European level enables comparisons of the models, systems, data, and patient material held in national databases and biobanks.

- A strong EU-based biomedical research will help strengthen the competitiveness of the European healthcare biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceutical industries. The EU also has to play an active role in creating an environment conducive to innovation in the pharmaceutical sector, in particular to maximise the success of clinical research.

- A strong EU-based biomedical research will help strengthen the competitiveness of the European healthcare biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceutical industries. EU collaboration with developing countries will allow those countries to develop research capacities. The EU also has to play an active role in creating an environment conducive to innovation in the public and pharmaceutical sectors which address public health needs, in particular to maximise the success of clinical research. To this endt, the implementation of the MICE programme (Medicines Investigation for the Children of Europe) will be promoted. Major EU-based research into ion therapy (proton and carbon ions) will open up and further improve already successful methods of cancer treatment and strengthen the competitivity of plant engineering and the construction (accelerator technology) and medical technology industries. In this field the success of clinical research should also be maximised. European research and innovation in the field of alternative testing strategies, in particular non-animal methods, will ensure global leadership in addressing public and stakeholder concerns about the continuing use of animals in biomedical research and could, in addition, provide a market for certain sectors of industry.

Justification

Progress in ion therapy of cancer treatment (protons and carbon ions) is as important as treatment by improved pharmaceuticals (chemotherapy). Basic discoveries in preclinical research carried out in an ion irradiation facility can be easily translated to the clinical research department (cancer treatment) of the same facility.

Public health needs should be prioritised. Collaboration with developing countries should be encouraged.

Regulation on medicinal products for paediatric use and amending Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92, Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004.

The activities that will be addressed, which include research essential to policy requirements, are set out below. Two strategic issues, child health and the health of the ageing population will be addressed across activities. Research agendas established by European Technology Platforms, such as the one on innovative medicines, will be supported where relevant. To complement these and respond to new policy needs, additional actions may be supported for example in the areas of health policy issues and occupation health and safety.

The activities that will be addressed, which include research essential to policy requirements, are set out below. Two strategic issues, child health and the health of the ageing population will be addressed across activities and themes. In other respects, research on health will be prioritised around (a) present and future projections of disease burden in a European and global context and (b) scientific quality. Research agendas established by European Technology Platforms, such as the ones on innovative medicines and nanomedicine, will be supported where relevant. To complement these and respond to new policy needs, additional actions may be supported for example in the areas of health policy issues , ageing and occupational health and safety.

Justification

Prioritisation of research funding should be based on scientific quality as well as on current and future health needs. Experience in FP6 has identified difficulties and frustration among scientists, which have also been noted by grant assessors, resulting from the objective to achieve equity in the areas of study, at the cost of inequity in terms of burden of disease and science quality.

The recently launched European Technology Platform Nanomedicine addresses breakthrough technologies for molecular imaging and diagnostics, which can offer impressive benefits for the early diagnosis and “smart” treatment of e.g. cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, cardiovascular problems.

The increasing number of elderly people in society impacts on a very wide range of policies, including health, social security, employment and transport, and must therefore be taken into account specifically in health research.

- Detection, diagnosis and monitoring. With emphasis on non-invasive or minimally invasive approaches.

- Detection, diagnosis and monitoring. With emphasis on non-invasive or minimally invasive approaches and technologies such as DNA chips and molecular imaging and diagnostics. Priority should be given to diagnostic tools that are directly linked to therapy.

Justification

In genetic diseases in particular but also in other diseases, diagnostic has made tremendous progress during the last years, especially because of sequencing of DNA. There's a big gap between diagnosis and therapy. For the patient, it is definitely important to have not only diagnosis but also therapy. That's why research activities which address this problem should get a priority.</

..

- Bioproduction, including vectorisation: optimisation of new molecule production processes.

Justification

Work to optimise production processes is vital to ensure the transition from research to industrial production, which will benefit patients. Production operates within a very strict regulatory framework designed to ensure patient safety. This question concerns both manufacturing and controls and is vital to SME, which are closely involved in the development of production processes.

- Human ethology. To study man and the urban, natural and cultural environment.

Justification

A knowledge of man and of his responses and adaptation to the environment is a basic requirement if his behaviour and possible dysfunctions are to be understood.

– Translating clinical outcome into clinical practice. To understand clinical decision-making and how to translate outcomes of clinical research into clinical practice and especially addressing the specificities of children, women and elderly population.

– Translating clinical outcome into clinical practice. To study advanced computer-aided detection, clinical decision support systems and other IT tools to improve workflow, enhance quality of diagnosis and treatment, reduce medical error and lower costs, as well as to understand clinical decision-making and how to translate outcomes of clinical research into clinical practice and especially addressing the specificities of children, women, the elderly population and disabled persons. To develop telemedical applications for geographically isolated populations of the European Union, especially in island and mountainous regions.

Justification

Health care delivery is often not adequately designed to ensure it is properly accessed by disabled persons and ethnic minorities. Research in respect of how health care reaches such disadvantaged groups is lacking and needs to be investigated.

Clinical decision support systems and advanced computer-aided detection can help handling the growing complexity of medical diagnosis and treatment. These and other Information Technology tools have the potential to achieve breakthroughs in the efficiency of healthcare in hospitals and secondary care by improving the workflow, enhancing the quality of diagnosis, linking people to processes and proceeds, reducing medical errors, and lowering costs.

The population of remote EU regions (especially island and mountainous regions) may be included among the population groups whose specificities are to be especially addressed with a view to optimising the delivery of health care. The objective is to support tele-medical applications for remote populations in the European Union.

Enhanced disease prevention and better use of medicines. To develop efficient public health interventions addressing wider determinants of health (such as stress, diet or environmental factors). To identify successful interventions in different health care settings for improving the prescription of medicines and improving their use by patients (including pharmacovigilence aspects).

Enhanced disease prevention and better use of medicines. To develop efficient public health interventions addressing wider determinants of health. Environmental health : analysis of three factors: syndromes and chronic exposure; interaction with toxic substances and mixtures of such substances; analysis of genetic polymorphisms and immunology tests, including tests for lymphocyte transformation and activation. Immunological, toxicological and epidemiological studies shall be conducted. To identify successful interventions in different health care settings for improving the prescription of medicines and improving their use by patients (including pharmacovigilence aspects).

- Appropriate use of new technologies. To provide capacity for fast development and rapid production of medical countermeasures to biological threats and emerging diseases.

Justification

Rational genome engineering’s contribution to fighting emerging epidemics lies partly in the speed it provides in the development of medical countermeasures and biological production strains.

- Transnational research on occupational diseases and industrial accidents. To generate and analyse the data relating to occupational diseases and industrial accidents, develop prevention, diagnostic and treatment strategies (e.g. in relation to musculoskeletal disorders).

Justification

The work carried out in the context of the European social policy and the Social Dialogue has demonstrated the added value of a common approach to prevention in the area of occupational diseases and industrial accidents. It is necessary to strengthen this common policy upstream by also supporting research activities relating to the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases and accidents.

- Sustainable optimization of industrial processes and active ingredients

Justification

Optimization of the chemical (and fermentative) part of the active ingredients’ production is necessary for the economic and environmental sustainability of health technologies.

Building a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy by bringing together science, industry and other stakeholders, to exploit new and emerging research opportunities that address social and economic challenges: the growing demand for safer, healthier and higher quality food and for sustainable use and production of renewable bio-resources; the increasing risk of epizootic and zoonotic diseases and food related disorders; threats to the sustainability and security of agricultural and and fisheries production resulting in particular from climate change; and the increasing demand for high quality food, taking into account animal welfare and rural contexts.

Building a European Knowledge Based Bio- Economy by bringing together science, industry and other stakeholders, to support the Union's policies and to exploit new and emerging research opportunities that address social, environmental and economic challenges: the growing demand for safer, healthier and higher quality food and for sustainable use, engineering and production of renewable bio-resources; the increasing risk of epizootic and zoonotic diseases and food related disorders; threats to the sustainability and security of fisheries aquacultural, agricultural, and stockbreeding production, including those resulting in particular from climate change; and the increasing demand for high quality food, taking into account animal welfare and rural and coastal contexts and ways of meeting specific consumer needs. Research will aim to integrate the diversity of scientific knowledge to develop balanced, sustainable and socially acceptable solutions and approaches. The awareness of citizens will be pursued to improve their ability to make informed choices.

Innovations and advancement of knowledge in the sustainable management, production and use of biological resources (micro-organism, plants, animals), will provide the basis for new, sustainable, eco-efficient and competitive products for agriculture, fisheries, food, health, forest based and related industries. In line with the European strategy on life sciences and biotechnogy, this will help increase the competitiveness of European biotechnology and food companies, in particular high tech SMEs, while improving social welfare and wellbeing. Research into the safety of food and feed chains, diet related diseases, food choices and the impact of food and nutrition on health will help to fight food related disorders (e.g. obesity, allergies) and infectious diseases (e.g. transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, avian-flu), while making important contributions to the implementation of existing and the formulation of future policies and regulations in the area of public, animal and plant health and consumer protection.

Innovations and advancement of knowledge in the sustainable management, engineering, production and use of biological resources (micro-organism, plants, animals), will provide the basis for new, sustainable, eco-efficient and competitive products for agriculture, fisheries, food, health, forest based and related industries. In line with the European strategy on life sciences and biotechnogy, this will help develop new activities and increase the competitiveness of European agriculture and biotechnology, seed and food companies, in particular high tech SMEs, while improving social welfare and wellbeing. A high level of SME participation in research is to be particularly encouraged. Research into nutritional physiology for healthy living, the safety of food and feed chains, diet related diseases, food choices and the impact of food and nutrition on health will help to fight food related disorders (e.g. obesity, allergies) and infectious diseases (e.g. transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, avian-flu),while making important contributions to the implementation of existing and the formulation of future policies and regulations in the area of public, animal and plant health and consumer protection.

Justification

Food must not be seen only as a potential source of disease (obesity, allergies, TSE), but also as a factor contributing to human health.

The research capacities of SMEs in Europe must be used and the sharing of information between them encouraged.

Several European Technology Platforms contribute in setting common research priorities, in fields such as plant genomics and biotechnology, forestry and forest based industries, global animal health, farm animal breeding, food and industrial biotechnology. The research will also provide the knowledge base needed to support : the Common Agricultural Policy; agriculture and trade issues; food safety regulations; Community animal health, disease control and welfare standards; and the Common Fisheries Policy reform aiming to provide sustainable development of fishing and aquaculture. A flexible response to new policy needs is also foreseen, in particular with respect to new social or economic trends.

Several European Technology Platforms contribute in setting common research priorities, in fields such as plant genomics and biotechnology, forestry and forest based industries, global animal health, farm animal breeding, food and industrial biotechnology. The research will also provide the knowledge base needed to support : the Common Agricultural Policy; agriculture and trade issues; food safety regulations; Community animal health, disease control and welfare standards; and the Common Fisheries Policy reform aiming to provide sustainable development of fishing and aquaculture, safe seafood products and environmental remediation. A flexible response to new policy needs is also foreseen, in particular with respect to new social or economic trends.

Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest, and aquatic environments: Enabling research, including 'omics' technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, systems biology and converging technologies for micro-organisms, plants and animals, including exploitation of their biodiversity; improved crops and production systems, including organic farming, quality production schemes and GMO impacts; sustainable, competitive and multifunctional agriculture, and forestry; rural development; animal welfare, breeding and production; plant health; sustainable and competitive fisheries and aquaculture; infectious diseases in animals, including zoonoses; safe disposal of animal waste; conservation, management and exploitation of living aquatic resources, developing the tools needed by policy makers and other actors in agriculture and rural development (landscape, land management practices etc.).

Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest, and aquatic environments: Enabling research, including 'omics' technologies, such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, rational reverse genomics, systems biology, bioinformatics and converging technologies for micro-organisms (particularly the study of metagenomics), plants and animals, including the genomic engineering, conservation and sustainable use of their biodiversity; soil fertility; improved crops: plant breeding, plant health, technological alternatives to plant random transgenesis and improved production systems in all their diversity, including organic farming, rational and conservation farming, quality production schemes and GMO impacts; evaluation and marketing of plant innovations (varieties, seeds); sustainable, competitive and multifunctional agriculture, and forestry; integrated rural development, including civil society participation in planning and decision making, rational management of water use, animal health and welfare, breeding and production; including research into vaccines and diagnostics; alternative testing strategies and non-animal methods, plant health; sustainable and competitive fisheries and aquaculture; infectious diseases in animals, including epidemiological studies, zoonoses and diseases linked to animal feedstuffs; safe disposal of animal waste; conservation, management and exploitation of living aquatic resources, developing the tools needed by policy makers and other actors in agriculture and rural development (landscape, land management practices etc.).

“Fork to farm”: Food, health and well being: Consumer, societal, industrial and health aspects of food and feed, including behavioural and cognitive sciences; nutrition, diet related diseases and disorders, including obesity; innovative food and feed processing technologies (including packaging); improved quality and safety, both chemical and microbiological, of food, beverage and feed; integrity (and control) of the food chain; environmental impacts on and of food/feed chains; total food chain concept (including seafood); traceability.

“Fork to table, sea to plate”: Food, including sea products, health and well being: Consumer, societal, cultural, industrial and health aspects of food and feed, including behavioural and cognitive sciences; nutrition, diet related diseases and disorders, including obesity and allergies; health benefits of certain food and diets; innovative food and feed processing technologies (including packaging); improved quality and safety, both chemical and biological, of food, beverage and feed; integrity, sustainability, risk assessment and control of the food chain; environmental impacts on and of terrestrial and aquatic food/feed chains; impact on and resistance of food chain to global changes; total food chain concept (including seafood); development of new traceability methods (for both GM and non-GM organisms); consequences of animal feeds and veterinary medicine for human health.

- Life sciences and biotechnology for sustainable non-food products and processes: Improved crops, feed-stocks, marine products and biomass (including marine resources) for energy, environment, and high added value products such as materials and chemicals, including novel farming systems, bio-processes and bio-refinery concepts; bio-catalysis; forestry and forest based products and processes; environmental remediation and cleaner processing.

- Life sciences, biotechnology and chemistry for sustainable non-food products and processes: Improved crops, feed-stocks, marine products and biomass (including marine resources) for energy, environment, and high added value products such as materials and chemicals, including new engineering methods for bio-producer or bio-catalytic strains and organisms, novel farming systems, bio-processes and bio-refinery concepts; bio-catalysis, bio-degradation and bio-remediation; forestry and forest based products and processes; environmental remediation and cleaner processing. In view of potential competition among end-uses of agriculture and wood products, particular attention will be devoted to the optimization of the system to ensure the compatibility of food, energy and raw materials production.

To enable Europe to master and shape the future developments of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) so that the demands of its society and economy are met. Activities will strengthen Europe’s scientific and technology base in ICT, help drive and stimulate innovation through ICT use and ensure that ICT progress is rapidly transformed into benefits for Europe’s citizens, businesses, industry and governments.

To enable Europe to master and shape the future developments of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) so that the demands of its society and economy are met and the competitiveness of European industry is improved. Activities will strengthen Europe’s scientific and technology base and ensure its global leadership in ICT, help drive and stimulate product and process innovation and creativity through ICT use and ensure that ICT progress is rapidly transformed into benefits for Europe’s businesses, industry, and, in the final analysis, for all citizens, especially those at risk of social exclusion such as people with disabilities, older people, or those with particular difficulties as regards access to ICT. The priority will be considered to lie in reducing the digital divide. ICT will be the core of the knowledge-based society.

The escalating economic and societal demands, together with the continued mainstreaming of ICT and the need to push further the technology limits set a growing agenda for research. To bring technology closer to people and organisational needs means: hiding technology complexity and revealing functionality on demand; making technology very simple to use, available and affordable; providing new ICT-based applications, solutions and services that are trusted, reliable, and adaptable to the users’ context and preferences. Driven by the demand of more-for-less, ICT researchers are involved in a global race to achieve further miniaturisation, to master the convergence of computing, communications and media technologies, and the convergence with other relevant sciences and disciplines, and to build systems that are able to learn and evolve. From these diverse efforts a new wave of technologies is emerging. ICT research activities will also draw on a broader range of scientific and technological disciplines including bio- and life sciences, psychology, pedagogy, cognitive and social sciences.

The escalating economic and societal demands, together with the continued mainstreaming of ICT and the need to push further the technology limits as well as to develop innovative high-value ICT-based products and services set a growing agenda for research. To bring technology closer to people and organisational needs means: hiding technology complexity and making technology functional; making technology very simple to use, available and affordable; providing new ICT-based applications, solutions and services that are trusted, reliable, and adaptable to the users’ context and preferences. Current ICT research focuses on miniaturisation, mastering convergence of computing, communications and media technologies, including system interoperability, and convergence with other relevant sciences and disciplines, and on building systems that are able to learn and evolve. From these diverse efforts a new wave of technologies is emerging. ICT research activities will also contribute to a broader range of scientific and technological disciplines including biology, chemistry and life sciences, psychology, pedagogy, cognitive and social sciences, and the humanities. ICT does not simply produce new technologies. ICT is directly involved in development. The service sector, which is experiencing strong growth, still possesses considerable potential through a greater focus on the interconnection between service provision and ICT.

Justification

System interoperability will facilitate convergence and compatibility, thus enhancing the efficiency of information and communication technologies.

Chemistry can give a strong boost to ICT technologies and can substantially benefit from them for the competitiveness; so research projects, which join chemistry and ICT, can be very fruitful.

SMEs constitute the engines of Europe’s future prosperity and are the only job creation machine Europe has. Strong SME involvement in the Seventh Framework Programme must be secured to achieve the Lisbon Agenda.

There is a need to emphasise the knock-on effects of ICT technology on growth, development and employment in all sectors and thus focus on technology's use to society and not only on technology itself.

ICT research activity based on the 'open source' development model is proving its utility as a source of innovation and increasing collaboration. It is worthwhile exploring whether this model for cooperation and innovation could also prove useful for other Framework Programme activities.

Justification

As applied to software, the open source development model is based on community collaboration with widespread dissemination, access and ability to reuse the results with minimal restrictions This development model encourages examination, peer review, reuse, customisation and improvement of the software developed and released in an open source community. Open source development is a major vector for innovation in the ICT sector, contributing both to technological advancement and increased competition. European enterprises both large and small, universities and individual developers are among the world’s primary contributors to open source software development.

ICT research should not endorse one sole business model over others. It is important that a wide choice of models remain available for commercialisation of the research output.

Justification

There is a need to reinforce the technology neutrality principle.

The ICT research activities will be closely articulated with policy actions for ICT deployment and with regulatory measures within a comprehensive and holistic strategy. Priorities have been set following extensive consultations including input from a series of European Technology Platforms and industrial initiatives in areas such as nano-electronics, embedded systems, mobile communications, electronic media, robotics and software, services and Grids.

The ICT research activities will be closely articulated with policy actions for ICT deployment and with regulatory measures within a comprehensive and holistic strategy. Priorities have been set following extensive consultations including input from a series of European Technology Platforms and industrial initiatives in areas such as nano-electronics, embedded systems, mobile communications, electronic media, photonics, robotics and software, including Free, Libre and Open Source Software, services and Grids.

Justification

The European Technology Platform on Photonics should not be disregarded.

EU companies are global leaders in development and maintenance of Open Source Software (often referred to as FLOSS) ; the continuation of the support of the FP is crucial for this sector to keep its leadership.

Nano-electronics, photonics and integrated micro/nano-systems. pushing the limits of miniaturisation, integration, variety and density; increasing performance and manufacturability at lower cost; facilitating incorporation of ICT in range of applications; interfaces; upstream research requiring exploration of new concepts.

Micro-, nano- and optoelectronics, photonics, mathematics, and integrated micro/nano-systems. pushing the limits of miniaturisation, integration, variety and density; increasing performance and manufacturability at lower cost; facilitating incorporation of ICT in range of applications; interfaces; upstream research requiring exploration of new concepts.

Justification

Micro- and opto-electronics are basic technologies for novel components and systems and key requirements for new solutions in ICT. Mathematical modelling and scientific computing play a fundamental but often invisible role in complex industrial technologies. The language of modelling and abstraction is mathematics which enables to direct this complexity to innovation. Virtual labs are mathematical tools to improve materials and production processes, but also the development of environment and economies without expensive practical experiments. Europe has a very strong position in applied mathematics as key technology with broad impact on diverse fields such like the design and production of modern steels or the proper deployment of networks for mobile phones.

- Embedded systems, computing and control: powerful, secure and distributed computing and communication systems that are embedded in objects and physical infrastructures and that can control and adapt to their environment.

- Embedded systems, computing, storage and control: powerful, secure and distributed computing, storage and communication systems that are embedded in objects and physical infrastructures and that can control and adapt to their environment.

Justification

The development of new storage systems and techniques permits the amelioration of embedded systems.

Simulation, visualisation, interaction and mixed realities: tools for innovative design and creativity in products, services and digital media, and for natural, language-enabled and context-rich interaction and communication.

Simulation, visualisation, interaction and mixed realities: tools for innovative design, decision-making support and creativity in products, services and digital media, and for natural, language-enabled and context-rich interaction and communication.

Justification

It is important to promote the use of ICT for business management.

- the transition towards 4th generation mobile systems and beyond, and related breakthrough technologies in digital transmissions and antennas

Justification

4th generation systems reached a good level of studies and definition in the Japanese context. Europe has accumulated some delay on the path to 4th generation

- Optical switching and related network control capabilities.

Justification

New Optical Technologies open great opportunities for the European industry. Control capabilities are of fundamental interest for the network Operators, because enable them to create new service configurations.

New perspectives in ICT drawing on other science and technology disciplines, including insights from physics, biotechnologies, materials- and life-sciences, for miniaturisation of ICT devices to sizes compatible and interacting with living organisms, to increase performance of systems engineering and information processing, and for modelling and simulation of the living world.

New perspectives in ICT drawing on other science and technology disciplines, including insights from physics, biotechnologies, materials- and life-sciences, mathematics, for miniaturisation of ICT devices to sizes compatible and interacting with living organisms, to increase performance of systems engineering and information processing, and for modelling and simulation of the living world. Sustainability issues must also be addressed in this area particularly in the field of electronics (less use of materials, energy consumption, recycling and waste, 'end of life' approaches)

Justification

Sustainability issues are becoming increasingly important for the field of electronics and related European legislation. Implementation of the Commission directives requires an approach based on the entire life cycle of products as well as reliable data and methods for a design for environment specifically matched to the distinctive features of the electronics sector.Mathematical modelling and scientific computing play a fundamental but often invisible role in complex industrial technologies. The language of modelling and abstraction is mathematics which enables to direct this complexity to innovation. Virtual labs are mathematical tools to improve materials and production processes, but also the development of environment and economies without expensive practical experiments. Europe has a very strong position in applied mathematics as key technology with broad impact on diverse fields such like the design and production of modern steels or the proper deployment of networks for mobile phones.

–  Robotic systems: advanced autonomous systems; cognition, control, action skills, natural interaction; miniaturisation.

–  Robotic systems: advanced autonomous systems; cognition, control, action skills, natural interaction and cooperation, miniaturisation.

Justification

The term 'cooperation' makes particular reference to the industrial utilisation of robotic systems both in the services and in the manufacturing sector and should therefore be mentioned.

– ICT meeting societal challenges: New systems and services in areas of public interest improving quality, efficiency, access and inclusiveness; user friendly applications, integration of new technologies and initiatives such as ambient assisted living.

– ICT meeting societal challenges: New systems and services in areas of public interest improving quality, efficiency, social inclusiveness, including accessibility for the disabled; user friendly applications, integration of new technologies and initiatives such as ambient assisted living.

- New business models for ICT: conceive and define new business models for ICT by working jointly with those themes where ICT will play a fundamental role in changing the approach to production and services (e.g. transport, health, energy, environment). [The Projects originated through this joint Research should be tested in specific situations. The joint efforts should be supported through the cross thematic approach mentioned in Annex 1.]

Justification

New opportunities are arising for ICT in conjunction with the emerging socio-economical-environmental problems. In particular, transport, health, energy sector may benefit by a diffuse application of the ICT technologies. In order to make possible these new applications, new business models and value chains have to be defined to encourage investments in the related innovation initiatives.

- for health, improving disease prevention, early diagnosis and personalisation; autonomy, safety and mobility of patients; health information space for knowledge discovery.;

- for health, improving disease prevention, early diagnosis and personalisation; autonomy, safety and mobility of patients; health information space for knowledge discovery; knowledge management, including rationalisation of health expenditure.

Justification

The efficiency and effectiveness of health systems are measured inter alia by means of knowledge management and the capacity of various levels of government to manage spending capacity, service quality and information flows using models for monitoring, assessment and control.

– for mobility; intelligent ICT-based transportation systems and vehicles enabling people and goods to move safely, comfortably and efficiently.

– for mobility; intelligent ICT-based transportation systems and vehicles and vessels enabling people and goods to move safely, comfortably and efficiently and in an environment-friendly way.

Justification

In addition to the fact that ICT can make mobility safer and more comfortable, we must not forget that they also have a key ecological role to play in reducing the large-scale pollution, now being caused by transport systems.

The addition of the word 'vessel' renders more inclusive the description of the activity.

– for governments; efficiency, openness and accountability, for a world-class public administration and links to citizens and businesses, supporting democracy.

– for governments, regional and local authorities and cities; efficiency, openness and accountability, for a world-class public administration and links to citizens and businesses, supporting democracy.

Justification

Research and demonstration projects are needed to determine what policies and strategies are most practical and effective for cities to play their role in stimulating ICT use and to facilitate stronger local contribution to the modernisation of the services provided for European citizens and businesses and in public interest domains such as education, learning, security.

Governments, regional and local authorities must provide first class services to citizens under their jurisdiction.

– for security; following the guidelines indicated in the 'Security' and 'Space' themes.

Justification

The list would not look complete without reference to Security, although this theme is covered in another section of the Framework Programme.

- exploitation of works or services open to the public: design and development of study simulators for crisis situations of natural origin (natural disasters) or human origin (attacks, terrorism, etc.).

Justification

ICTs can make a useful contribution to preventing and reacting effectively in crisis situations of natural or human origin affecting works and services open to the public.

- ICT-based systems to support transfer and their application to cultural heritage resources.

Justification

The transfer of ICT applications into an important sector for Europe, the cultural sector, which tends to react conventionally and less rapidly to new technological opportunities, is of great significance for European competitiveness and helps support SMUs and the creation of new, non-exportable jobs. The swift penetration of all sectors by means of ICT is a European objective.

– new media paradigms and new forms of content; creation of interactive digital content; enriched user experiences; cost-effective content delivery.

– new media paradigms and new forms of content; creation of interactive digital content accessible to all; enriched user experiences; cost-effective content delivery.

- technology-enhanced learning; adaptive and contextualised learning solutions; active learning;

- technology-enhanced learning, including transfer of knowledge and experience; adaptive and conceptualised learning solutions; active learning;

Justification

In those sectors of the economy which are finding it difficult to replenish their workforce, particularly the construction industry, it is all the more vital to develop information and communication support to promote the transfer of knowledge and experience in the context of initial and continuing training.

– ICT-based systems to support accessibility and use over time of digital cultural resources and assets, in a multilingual environment

– ICT-based systems to support accessibility and use over time of digital cultural (and scientific) resources and assets, in a multilingual and multicultural environment

Justification

The Union’s diversity cannot and must not exclude multiculturalism, which is one of our great assets.

– Manufacturing: rapid and adaptive design, production and delivery of highly customised goods; digital and virtual production; modelling, simulation and presentation tools; miniature and integrated ICT products;

– Manufacturing, including traditional industries: rapid and adaptive design, production and delivery of highly customised goods; digital and virtual production; modelling, simulation and presentation tools; miniature and integrated ICT products; ICT-based improvements to industrial processes;

Justification

Mathematical modelling and scientific computing play a fundamental but often invisible role in complex industrial technologies. The language of modelling and abstraction is mathematics which enables to direct this complexity to innovation. Virtual labs are mathematical tools to improve materials and production processes, but also the development of environment and economies without expensive practical experiments. Europe has a very strong position in applied mathematics as key technology with broad impact on diverse fields such like the design and production of modern steels or the proper deployment of networks for mobile phones.

Traditional industries still play a key role in the Union and must consequently not be excluded from the process of adapting to new information and communication technologies.

- Monitoring business management and performance in real time through efficient and productive support for managerial decisions, and data tracing, gathering and processing.

Justification

It is important to promote the use of ICT for business management.

- ICT supporting the built heritage.

Justification

In France, 70% of the assets of individuals is in the form of buildings. And Europe-wide, the proportion is probably similar. It is vital to preserve the value of this common heritage, including through the support of information and communication technologies (for example, by developing identity cards for buildings).

– ICT for trust and confidence: identity management; authentication and authorization; privacy enhancing technologies; rights and asset management; protection against cyber threats.

– ICT for trust and confidence: identity management; authentication and authorization; privacy enhancing technologies; rights and asset management; based on interoperability and open standards; protection of privacy against cyber threats; monitoring of security/privacy critical issues.

Justification

Privacy risks to be overlooked unless a specific committee is created in order to secure it along the way; the JRC is the EU body that looks entitled to take the initiative of a committee as it covered the Security/Privacy issue extensively over the past years.

European businesses need interoperability safeguards and open standards to fully benefit from identity management solutions. These safeguards avoid undesirable restrictions of free competition, both for software and hardware solution providers. The precise object which gets protection by identity management against cyber threats is privacy

Future and Emerging Technologies: to support research at the frontier of knowledge in core ICTs and in their combination with other relevant areas and disciplines; to nurture novel ideas and radically new uses and to explore new options in ICT research roadmaps.

Future and Emerging Technologies: to support research at the frontier of knowledge in core ICTs and in their combination with other relevant areas and disciplines; to nurture novel ideas, such as quantum information technology, and radically new uses and to explore new options in ICT research roadmaps.

Justification

Quantum information technology is an important example of forward- looking research in the ICT sector. Europe's worldwide lead should be further expanded.

Particular attention will be paid to disseminating research findings so as to make them accessible to businesses, especially SMEs, and to society in general.

Justification

It is essential for knowledge and advances in this field of research to be properly publicised so as to enable businesses, especially SMEs, to reap the benefits as well as bringing science closer to society.

Transforming the current fossil-fuel based energy system into a more sustainable one based on a diverse portfolio of energy sources and carriers combined with enhanced energy efficiency, to address the pressing challenges of security of supply and climate change, whilst increasing the competitiveness of Europe’s energy industries.

Transforming the current fossil-fuel based energy system into the most sustainable and energy efficient economy in the world by 2020, based on a diverse portfolio of energy sources and carriers, with particular attention being paid to less and non-CO2 emitting energy sources, combined with enhanced energy efficiency, energy conservation and reduction of the greenhouse effect to address the pressing challenges of security of supply and climate change, whilst increasing the competitiveness of Europe’s energy industries

Energy systems are confronted with major challenges. The urgency to develop adequate and timely solutions is justified by the alarming trends in global energy demand (predicted to rise by 60% in the next 30 years), the need to curb dramatically emissions of greenhouse gases to mitigate the devastating consequences of climate change, the damaging volatility of oil prices (in particular for the transport sector which is heavily oil dependent) and geopolitical instability in supplier regions. Research and demonstration are needed to provide the most environmentally and cost effective technologies and measures enabling the EU to meet its targets under the Kyoto Protocol and beyond and to implement its energy policy commitments, as described in the 2000 Green Paper on the security of energy supply.

Energy systems are confronted with major challenges. The urgency to identify and develop adequate and timely solutions is justified by the alarming scenarios in global energy demand the finite nature of conventional oil and natural gas reserves and the need to curb dramatically emissions of greenhouse gases to mitigate the devastating consequences of climate change, the damaging volatility of oil prices (in particular for the transport sector which is heavily oil dependent) and geopolitical instability in supplier regions. Energy research is an important contribution towards ensuring affordable energy costs for our citizens and industries. Research and demonstration are needed to provide the most environmentally and cost effective technologies, create safer applications for nuclear energy in Europe and the rest of the world, and provide measures enabling the EU to meet its targets under the Kyoto Protocol and beyond and to implement its energy policy commitments, as described in the 2005 Green Paper on Energy Efficiency and in the 2000 Green Paper on the security of energy supply.

Justification

It is worth mentioning the 2005 Green Paper on Energy Efficiency.

Nuclear energy remains an essential part in our energy supply and thus on the European energy agenda. Therefore it is necessary to create safer and more durable applications of nuclear energy.

The growth of energy demand must be seen in the context of increasingly scarce resources and climate change.

has developed world leadership in a number of energy technologies. It is the pioneer in modern renewable energy technologies, such as bio-energy and wind energy. The EU is also a global competitor in power generation and distribution technologies and has a strong research capability in the area of carbon capture and sequestration. These positions, however, are under severe threat from competition (in particular from the US and Japan).

Europe has developed world leadership in a number of energy generation and energy efficiency technologies. It is the pioneer in modern renewable energy technologies, such as solar energy, bio-energy and wind energy. The EU is also a global competitor in power generation and distribution technologies and has a strong research capability in the area of carbon capture and sequestration. These positions, however, are now facing competition (in particular from the US and Japan). The efforts of Europe’s industrial sector in developing less polluting production techniques should therefore be encouraged by specific research projects.

Radically transforming the energy system requires new technologies with risks that are too high and the benefits too uncertain for private firms to provide all the investment needed for research, development, demonstration and deployment. Public support should therefore play a key role in mobilising private investment and European efforts and resources should be combined in a coherent and more effective manner, to compete with economies that are investing heavily and consistently in similar technologies. European technology platforms play a vital role in this regard, by mobilising the necessary research effort in a coordinated manner. The activities to meet the objective are set out below. A specific activity on knowledge for energy policy making is included which may also provide support to new policy needs that emerge, for example relating to the role of European energy policy in the developments of international climate change actions, and instabilities or disruptions in energy supply and price.

Radically transforming the energy system into a less- or non-CO2 emitting reliable, competitive and sustainable energy system requires new materials and new technologies with risks that are too high and the profits too uncertain for private firms to provide all the investment needed for research, development, demonstration and deployment. Public support should therefore play a key role in mobilising private investment and European efforts and resources should be combined in a coherent and more effective manner, to compete with economies that are investing heavily and consistently in similar technologies. European technology platforms play a vital role in this regard, by mobilising the necessary research effort in a coordinated manner. The activities to meet the objective are set out below. A specific activity on knowledge for energy policy making is included which may also provide support to new policy needs that emerge, for example relating to the role of European energy policy in the developments of international climate change actions, and instabilities or disruptions in energy supply and price.

Integrated action to provide a strong technological foundation for competitive EU fuel cell and hydrogen industries, for stationary, portable and transport applications. The Hydrogen and Fuel Cells European Technology Platform helps this activity by proposing an integrated research and deployment strategy.

Integrated action to provide a strong technological foundation for competitive EU fuel cell and hydrogen industries, for stationary, portable and transport applications. The Hydrogen and Fuel Cells European Technology Platform helps this activity by proposing an integrated research and deployment strategy, and organization of the system of production, collection and treatment of biomasses for direct hydrogen production.

Justification

This technology appears extremely promising to provide even in short times hydrogen at a competitive level in terms of price and quantity.

Technologies to increase overall conversion efficiency, driving down the cost of electricity production from indigenous renewable energy sources, and the development and the demonstration of technologies suited to different regional conditions.

Technologies to increase overall conversion efficiency, driving down the cost of electricity production from indigenous renewable energy sources, including waste, and the development and the demonstration of technologies suited to different regional conditions.

Justification

It is necessary here to specify and allow for the energy generation potential of the ‘biodegradable fraction of waste’.

Integrated conversion technologies: to develop and drive down the unit cost of solid, liquid and gaseous (including hydrogen) fuels produced from renewable energy sources, aiming at the cost-effective production and use of carbon-neutral fuels, in particular liquid biofuels for transport.

Integrated conversion technologies: to develop and drive down the unit cost of solid, liquid and gaseous (including hydrogen) fuels produced from renewable energy sources, including energy crops, biomass, and waste, aiming at the cost-effective production, storage, distribution and use of carbon-neutral fuels, in particular liquid biofuels for transport, including energy crops specifically optimised by plant breeding using classic as well as biotechnological methods, and electricity generation.

Justification

The complete value should be included. Crops specifically optimized for energy use will dramatically improve efficiencies and thus competitiveness of alternative energy supply. They will help opening up new markets and thus opportunities for investment, specialisation and growth of European agriculture and in rural areas.

It is worth researching these activities given the hazardous nature of hydrogen. Furthermore, they fit logically into the product cycle.

Technologies to increase efficiencies and drive down the costs of heating and cooling from renewable energy sources, ensuring their use in different regional conditions.

Technologies and infrastructures to increase efficiencies and drive down the costs of heating and cooling from renewable energy sources, ensuring their use in different regional conditions.

Justification

District and local heating systems for heating/cooling are one means of increasing the proportion of renewable energies substantially and thereby helping to cut costs.

CO2 capture and storage technologies for zero emission power generation

CO2 capture and storage technologies and technologies of transformation for use as raw materials for zero emission power generation

To drastically reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use aiming at highly efficient power generation plants with near zero emissions, based on CO2 capture and storage technologies.

To drastically reduce the adverse environmental impact of fossil fuel use aiming at highly efficient power and/or steam generation plants with near zero emissions, based on CO2 capture and storage technologies and technologies of transformation, in particular underground storage , and CO2 enriched atmosphere to enhance vegetal organisms' growth.

Clean coal technologies

Clean Coal and other Fossil Fuels technologies

To substantially improve plant efficiency, reliability and cost through development and demonstration of clean coal conversion technologies.

To substantially improve plant efficiency, reliability and cost through development and demonstration of clean energy conversion technologies based on coal and other fossil fuels, gaseous or liquid process fuels and alternative fuels also introducing advanced chemical conversion technologies for energy, heat, chemicals and fuel production.

To increase the efficiency, safety and reliability of the European electricity and gas systems and networks e.g. by transforming the current electricity grids into an interactive (customers/operators) service network and to remove obstacles to the large-scale deployment and effective integration of distributed and renewable energy sources.

To increase the efficiency, safety and reliability of the European electricity and gas systems and networks e.g. by transforming the current electricity grids into an interactive (customers/operators) service network, by developing energy storage options, removing obstacles and by developing intelligent metering systems managed by remote. To remove obstacles to the large-scale deployment and effective integration of distributed and renewable energy sources. To develop storage options not covered under the topic 'Hydrogen and fuel cells'. Concepts and technologies to improve the efficiency and cost-benefit ratio of heating and cooling networks:. To develop integrated technologies/concepts for the purposes of supply using heating and cooling networks and to promote the integration of renewable energy sources into heating and cooling networks.

Justification

The develop of metering remotely management systems are essential to reach the EU’s purpose to increase the efficiency, safety and reliability of the European electricity and gas systems and networks

Research on further Storage options plays an important role for realizing an increasing share of renewable energies.

Smart energy networks should encompass all kinds of activities including local heating and cooling which should be treated on an equal footing with electricity and gas networks. Increased efficiency, safety and reliability of networks also involve network management.

The development of storage options for electricity is important, particularly for electricity generated from wind power. Hydrogen and fuels cells are, among others, a storage options.

New concepts and technologies to improve energy efficiency and savings for buildings, services and industry. This includes the integration of strategies and technologies for energy efficiency, the use of new and renewable energy technologies and energy demand management.

New concepts and technologies to improve energy efficiency, for example in lighting, and to reduce further final and primary energy consumption of buildings, taking into account the life cycle of buildings and of building works, transport systems, services and industry. This includes the integration of strategies and technologies for energy efficiency (e.g. cogeneration), the use of new consumption-related and renewable energy technologies and energy demand management measures, e.g. in the form of flexible electricity consumption, and energy use management measures such as individual metering systems managed remotely.

Justification

In Europe's energy system, losses in the supply chain from primary energy conversion to delivery to the final customer are today twice as big as the amount of end-energy consumed. Therefore efforts should not focus on kWh but on primary energy saved. A system approach should encompass the entire supply chain from energy conversion to the final customers. Any approach based on environmental performance and the energy efficiency of buildings should take into account the life cycle specific to the built environment.

New conceptions and technologies should concern not only on energy saving by end energy consumers, but also should focus on most efficient use of primary energy in fuel.

Cogeneration is the only one technology used commonly, which allows to process the primary energy in useful heat and electric energy, with efficiency of often more than 90%.

Technology of cogeneration, among other things, because of implementation of Directive 2004/8/EC (The 'CHP'), will be used in wider scale in Europe.

This is the reason why activities for searching for more operational solutions should be supported, because with common use of this technology, primary energy saving in Europe can be very much valuable.

In France, 70% of the assets of individuals is in the form of buildings. And Europe-wide, the proportion is probably similar. It is vital to preserve the value of this common heritage, including through the support of information and communication technologies (for example, by developing identity cards for buildings).

To hugely improve energy efficiency and savings in e.g. buildings, Solid State Lighting (SSL, Light Emitting Diodes and Lasers) offers major new opportunities. According to the Vision paper of the recently launched ETP Photonics, aggressive introduction of SSL can save Europe 40,000 megawatt in electrical peak power supply or an equivalent of 2 billion barrels of oil and 50 million tonnes CO2 per year by 2015.

The develop of demand management measures such as individual metering systems managed by remote could improve energy efficiency and energy saving through the offer of different rates to customers, lower peak demand and improve the security of supply.

New energy savings systems will not in themselves promote more intelligent and better targeted use of energy sources as a whole. It is therefore necessary to promote not only energy demand management but also rational use of energy through sustainable management of energy use by individual organisations.

Development of tools, methods and models to assess the main economic and social issues related to energy technologies and to provide quantifiable targets and scenarios for medium and long term horizons;

Development of tools, methods and models to assess the main economic and social issues related to energy technologies and to provide quantifiable targets and scenarios for medium and long term horizons; the development of policy tools for a significant acceleration of the implementation of new energy efficiency, demand side management and renewable energy concepts and technologies.

Polygeneration

Development of end user-oriented integrated energy systems, highly efficient in overall terms, aimed at tapping the best available environment-friendly energy sources. Improvement and development of new forms of energy storage. Network connection management for the above systems in order to improve overall efficiency and the quality of service.

Justification

Given the advances in polygeneration, it is likely that the efficiency of energy conversion processes will rise substantially, renewable or relatively clean energy sources will be used on a massive scale, the products of the above processes (environmentally more friendly than conventional thermoelectric generation) will be incorporated inton the electricity network, and infrastructure costs will be cut, the end effect of which will be to enhance competitiveness. That is why we consider it essential to include polygeneration as a specific field for research, development, and demonstration.

Sustainable management of the environment and its resources through advancing our knowledge on the interactions between the biosphere, ecosystems and human activities, and developing new technol ogies, tools and services, in order to address in an integrated way global environmental issues . Emphasis will be put on prediction of climate, ecological, earth and ocean systems changes; on tools and technologies for monitoring, prevention and mitigation of environmental pressures and risks including on health, as well as for the conservation of the natural and man-made environment.

Sustainable management of the environment and its resources through advancing our knowledge on the interactions between the climate, biosphere, ecosystems and human activities, knowledge on biodiversity and its sustainable use, and developing new technologies, tools and services, in order to address in an integrated way global environmental issues . Emphasis will be put on prediction of climate, ecological, earth and ocean systems changes; on tools and technologies for monitoring, prevention, mitigation and adaptation of environmental pressures and risks including on health, as well as for the conservation and recovery of the natural and man-made environment.

Justification

The importance of (both land and marine) biodiversity and its conservation is increasingly evident in a changing environment (major growth in the man-made environment, climate change, new land use, urban development etc.). Advancing knowledge in this field will make it possible to improve our understanding of differing ecosystems and their interaction, and thus to have a clearer idea of the changes linked to global change, with a view to achieving sustainable development at the service of citizens.

When considering interactions, terrestrial systems cannot be looked at in isolation since considerable feedback activity occurs between biosphere and atmosphere at global level as well as in topographically differentiated regions. This point is not covered by mentioning the climate in connection with the development of forecasting tools.

Some environmental pressures or risks may be difficult to reverse. Therefore ways of adapting such risks to reduce their impact on mankind and the environment should be investigated.

Although risk prevention is the main way for environmental protection, it is important to support also environmental recovery research projects, where that is necessary, considering that recovery requires long times, sophisticated technologies and a lot of care in interventions.

Environmental problems go beyond national frontiers and require a coordinated approach at a pan-European and often global level. Earth’s natural resources and the man-made environment are under intense pressures from growing population, urbanisation, continuous expansion of the agriculture, transport and energy sectors, as well as climate variability and warming at local, regional and global scales. Europe needs to engage in a new sustainable relationship with the environment while improving competitiveness and strengthening European industry. EU-wide cooperation is needed to attain critical mass given the scale, scope and high level of complexity of environmental research. It facilitates common planning, the use of connected and inter-operable databases, and the development of coherent and large scale observation and forecasting systems.

Environmental problems go beyond national frontiers and require a coordinated approach at a pan-European and often global level. Earth’s natural resources and the man-made environment are under intense pressures from growing population, urbanisation, continuous expansion of the agriculture, fishery, transport, construction and energy sectors, as well as climate variability and warming at local, regional and global scales. Europe needs to engage in a new sustainable relationship with the environment while improving competitiveness based on environmental friendly quality and strengthening European industry. EU-wide cooperation is needed to attain critical mass given the scale, scope and high level of complexity of environmental research. It facilitates common planning, the use of connected and inter-operable databases, and the development of coherent and large scale observation and forecasting systems.

Justification

Environmental requirements and technologies will improve the competitiveness of European industries as well as ensure a more sustainable future.

The construction sector is one major purveyor of emissions, and environmental pressures in general, in Europe

Research is needed at EU level for the implementation of international commitments such as the Kyoto protocol, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the objectives of the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, including the EU Water Initiative, and contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Earth Observation initiative. In addition there are significant research needs arising from existing and emerging EU level policies, the implementation of the 6th Environmental Action Plan and associated thematic strategies, the action plans on Environmental Technologies and Environment and Health, and Directives such as the Water Framework.

Research is needed at EU level for the implementation of international commitments such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto protocol, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the objectives of the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, including the EU Water Initiative, contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Earth Observation initiative and the forthcoming soil protection programme. In addition there are significant research needs arising from existing and emerging EU level policies, the implementation of the 6th Environmental Action Plan and associated thematic strategies, the action plans on Environmental Technologies and Environment and Health, and Directives such as the Water Framework, and actions for improving the mechanisms relating to conservation of the Natura 2000 network.

The EU needs to strengthen its position in world markets for environmental technologies. Such technologies help deliver sustainable growth providing eco-efficient solutions to environmental problems at different scales and protecting our cultural heritage. Environmental requirements act as a stimulus for innovation and can provide business opportunities. European Technology Platforms on water supply and sanitation and on sustainable chemistry confirm the need for EU level action and their research agendas are taken into consideration in the activities below. Other Platforms (e.g. on Construction and on Forestry) partially deal with environmental technology issues and are taken into consideration as well.

The EU needs to strengthen its position in world markets for environmental technologies. Such technologies contribute to sustainable consumption and production and, help deliver sustainable growth providing eco-efficient solutions to environmental problems at different scales and protecting our cultural and natural heritage. Environmental requirements act as a stimulus for innovation and can provide business opportunities and higher competitiveness while at the same time ensuring a more sustainable future for next generations. European Technology Platforms on water supply and sanitation and on sustainable chemistry confirm the need for EU level action and their research agendas are taken into consideration in the activities below. Other Platforms (e.g. on Construction and on Forestry) partially deal with environmental technology issues and are taken into consideration as well.

- Pressures on environment and climate: Functioning of climate and the earth system; adaptation and mitigation measures; pollution in air, soil and water; changes in atmospheric composition and water cycle; interactions between climate, land surface and the ocean; and impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems.

- Pressures on environment and climate: Functioning of climate and the earth and marine systems, including the polar regions, adaptation and mitigation measures; pollution and prevention of pollution in air, soil and water; changes in atmospheric composition and water cycle; global and regional interactions between atmosphere, land surface and the ocean; and impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, including the effects of the sea level rise on valuable coastal zones and coastal cities, and impacts on particularly sensitive areas such as coastal and mountainous regions.

– Environment and health: Interaction of environmental stressors with human health including identification of sources, links to indoor environment, and impact and emerging risk factors; integrated risk assessment methods for toxic substances including alternatives to animal testing; quantification and cost-benefit analysis of environmental health risks and indicators for prevention strategies.

– Environment and health: Interaction of environmental stressors with human health including identification of sources, links to indoor environment, and impact and emerging risk factors; integrated risk assessment methods for toxic substances including engineered cells and other alternatives to animal testing; quantification and cost-benefit analysis of environmental health risks and indicators for prevention strategies.

Justification

Genome engineering allows complete rational re-engineering of cell lines. It allows erasing or substituting whole groups of genes, mimicking human metabolism of drugs or uptake.

Genome engineering of cell lines is also the key to applying high throughput screening to polygenic contexts.

–  Natural hazards: Improve prediction and integrated hazards- vulnerability - and risks assessments for disasters related to geological hazards (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis) and climate (such as storms and floods); develop early warning systems and improve prevention and mitigation strategies.

–  Natural hazards: Improve forecasting and integrated hazards- vulnerability - and risks assessments for disasters related to geological hazards (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis) and climate (such as storms, frosts, drought, floods, conflagrations, avalanches, landslides, forest fires and other extreme phenomena) as well as phenomena provoked by such disasters; develop early warning systems and improve prevention and mitigation strategies; analyse the handling of natural hazards and disasters; draw up multirisk approaches focused on combining strategies for specific risks with comprehensible plans, procedures and protocols.

- Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources: ecosystems; water resources management; waste management and prevention; protection and management of biodiversity, soil protection, seabed and coastal areas protection, approaches against desertification and land degradation; forest management; sustainable management and planning of urban environment, data management and information services; assessment and foresight relating to natural processes.

- Conservation and sustainable management of natural and man-made resources: ecosystems; water resources management; waste management and prevention; protection and management of biodiversity, including control of invasive alien species, soil remediation and protection, seabed, lagoons and coastal areas protection, approaches against desertification and land degradation, preservation of landscape; forest and mineral management; sustainable management and planning of urban environment, historic resources, cultural heritage and tourism, data management and information services; assessment and foresight relating to natural processes.

- Environmental technologies for observation, prevention, mitigation, adaptation, remediation and restoration of the natural and man-made environment: related to water, climate, air, marine, urban and rural environment, soil, waste treatment, recycling, clean production processes, chemicals safety, protection of cultural heritage and of the built environment.

- Environmental technologies for observation, prevention, mitigation, adaptation, remediation and restoration of the natural and man-made environment: related to water, climate, air, marine, urban and rural environment, soil, energy, minerals, waste treatment, recycling, clean production processes and sustainable products, treatment and/or valuable reuse of residues or waste materials from energy production, chemicals safety, protection of cultural heritage and of the built environment.

- Protection, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage, including human habitat: improved damage assessment for cultural heritage, development of innovative conservation strategies; fostering the integration of cultural heritage in the urban setting.

Justification

It is essential to have a specific paragraph on cultural heritage giving that it represents potential "raw materials" to be exploited, in terms of research, with the use of new technologies.

- Technology assessment, verification and testing: Methods and tools for environmental risk and lifecycle assessment of processes, technologies and products; support for sustainable chemistry, water supply and sanitation Platforms; scientific and technological aspects of a future European environmental technologies verification and testing programme.

- Technology assessment, verification and testing: Methods and tools for environmental risk and lifecycle assessment of processes, technologies and products, including alternative testing strategies and in particular non-animal testing methods; support for sustainable chemistry, water supply and sanitation Platforms; scientific and technological aspects of a future European environmental technologies verification and testing programme, creation and dissemination of third-party assessment instruments.

Justification

In accordance with the requirements in the Protocol on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, Art.23 of Council Directive 86/609/EEC, Art. 7.2 (a) and (b) of the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme, and the objective of the proposed EU chemicals Regulation to promote non-animal testing, the development of alternative testing strategies and in particular non-animal test methods should be included here.

Improving environmental activities will undoubtedly depend on the measures proposed, yet it seems dangerous for the Commission neither to give explicit encouragement to third party assessment instruments nor to mention those already produced (EMAS, ECOLABEL), which have not been as widely used as expected at European level.

– Earth observation: Contribute to the development and integration of observation systems for environmental and sustainability issues in the framework of GEOSS; interoperability between systems and optimisation of information for understanding, modelling and predicating environmental phenomena

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– Earth observation: Contribute to the development and integration of observation systems for environmental and sustainability issues in the framework of GEOSS; interoperability between systems and optimisation of information for understanding, modelling and predicating environmental phenomena, and for assessing, exploring and managing natural resources.

Justification

Earth Observation technologies are also of great importance for assessing, exploring for and managing natural resources. They are very important in domains such as forestry, soils conservation, agriculture; water, energy and mineral resources.

Based on technological advances, develop integrated, “greener” and “smarter” pan-European transport systems for the benefit of the citizen and society, respecting the environment and natural resources; and securing and further developing the leading role attained by the European industries in the global market.

Based on technological advances, develop integrated, “greener”, “smarter” and disability accessible pan-European transport systems for the benefit of all citizens and society, respecting the environment and natural resources; and securing and further developing the leading role attained by the European industries in the global market, also facilitating the closing of the technological gaps at transatlantic level.

Justification

There are segments of the air transport system where Europe has lost its leadership (e.g. the regional air transport is now dominated by Canadians and Brazilians). There are also segments where Europe, without adequate investments, risks to be pushed to marginal positions (e.g. tiltrotors).

Access to mainstream transport services for disabled persons is central to transport policies of most Member States. There are opportunities for European research and development initiatives to support developments in this area and provide comparative data for example, studies on the cost-benefits of accessible transport including the wider social implications and improved and innovative solutions in respect of accessible design.

The enlargement (increasing land surface by 25% and population by 20%) and economic development of the EU present new challenges for transporting people and goods efficiently, cost-effectively and in a sustainable manner. Transport also has direct relevance on other major policies such as trade, competition, employment, cohesion, energy, security and the internal market. Investment in RTD in EU transport industries is a prerequisite to ensure technological competitive advantage in global markets. Activities at European level will also stimulate the restructuring of the industry, including the integration of the supply chain and in particular SMEs.

The enlargement (increasing land surface by 25% and population by 20%) and economic development of the EU present new challenges for transporting people and goods efficiently, cost-effectively and in a sustainable manner and imply the development of innovative infrastructures. Transport also has direct relevance on other major policies such as trade, competition, the environment, employment, cohesion, energy, security and the internal market. Investment in RTD in EU transport industries is a prerequisite to ensure technological competitive advantage in global markets. Activities at European level will also stimulate the restructuring of the industry, including the integration of the supply chain and in particular SMEs.

Justification

The contribution of R&D policy to the development of surface infrastructures should also be explicitly recognised, particularly with a view to restoring the balance between modes of transport and improving the geographical coverage of the new Member States.

Clearly transport also has a direct impact on the environment.

The research agendas developed by European Technology platforms support the need to take a new “transport systems” perspective that considers the interactions of vehicles, transport networks and the use of transport services, which can only be developed at European level. RTD costs in all these fields are rising substantially, and collaborative activity at EU-level is essential to enable a “critical mass” of diverse RTD providers to address the scale and multi-disciplinary challenges in a cost-effective way, as well as meeting the political, technological and socio-economic challenges on issues such as the “clean and safe vehicle” of the future, interoperability and intermodality with particular reference to rail transport, affordability, safety, capacity, security and environmental impacts in an enlarged Union. Also, developing technologies in support of the Galileo system and its applications will be essential in implementing European policies.

The research agendas developed by European Technology platforms support the need to take a new “transport systems” perspective that considers the interactions of vehicles or vessels, transport networks or infrastructures and the use of transport services, which can only be developed at European level. RTD costs in all these fields are rising substantially, and collaborative activity at EU-level is essential to enable a “critical mass” of diverse RTD providers to address the scale and multi-disciplinary challenges in a cost-effective way, as well as meeting the political, technological and socio-economic challenges on issues such as the “clean and safe vehicle” of the future, interoperability and intermodality with particular reference to waterborne and rail transport, the"sustainable and safe maritime supply" of Europe, affordability, safety, capacity, security and environmental impacts in an enlarged Union. A strong technological foundation for a competitive EU fuel cell and hydrogen industry for transport applications - the “clean and safe vehicles” of the future - is of particular importance. Environmental research should include the development of this “clean and safe vehicle” of the future and the avoidance, reduction and optimisation of traffic. Also, developing technologies in support of the Galileo system and its applications will be essential in implementing European policies.

Justification

Application of fuel cells in transport should involve financial resources also from this priority theme.The experts foresee an increase of the maritime transportation demand of 4% in volume per annum: that means a global rise of 80% of goods transportation within 2010. This increase will be due in particular to the rise of the container traffic and the trucks transportation (the sea motorway concept). In particular, the demand of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation will increase for environmental purposes and supply resources diversification.

- The greening of air transport: reduction of emissions and noise disturbance, incorporating work on engines and alternative fuels, structures and new aircraft designs, airport operations and traffic management.

- The greening of air transport: developing technologies for the reduction of emissions and noise disturbance, incorporating work on engines and alternative fuels, structures, lighter materials and new aircraft designs including rotorcraft (helicopters and tiltrotors), airport operations and traffic management, improved maintenance, repair and overhaul.

Justification

While the “aircraft” concept is ample enough to include all types of fixed wing vehicles (from the wide-bodies to regional) it is necessary to add also the rotorcraft (helicopters and tiltrotors) since this is today one of the segments more in need of greening technologies.

The focus is on the development of technologies for new (sub)systems. Due to the long life time of aircraft, the greening of air transport will largely depend on the greening of the existing fleet, e.g. the development of green retrofits, transfer of recently developed technologies to the existing fleet and new repair technologies, etc. Specific attention for maintenance, repair and overhaul will contribute considerably to the greening of air transport and will foster the involvement of SME’s in all Member States.

A significant proportion of energy consumption is linked to aircraft weight. More resistant but lighter materials are actively being researched, because they combine lower energy consumption with higher safety standards. This is also applicable to sea transport.

Ensuring customer satisfaction and safety: improvement of passenger comfort, innovative in-flight services and more efficient passenger handling; improvement of all safety aspects of air transport; wider choice of aircraft ranging from wide body to small size vehicles.

Ensuring customer satisfaction and safety: improvements of passenger comfort, innovative in-flight services and more efficient passenger handling; improvement of all safety aspects of air transport; wider choice of aircraft ranging from wide body to smaller size vehicles for city-centre to city-centre connections and any regional application (e.g. tiltrotors), also ensuring improved design in respect of disability-access to aircraft, developed in consultation with representative disability organisations.

Justification

“Smaller” explains better the need to consider the whole range of aircraft below the wide body category. We should also improve the city-centrer-to-city-centre connections and any regional connection where adequate infrastructures are not present.

Access to mainstream transport services for disabled persons is central to transport policies of most Member States. There are opportunities for European research and development initiatives to support developments in this area and provide comparative data for example, studies on the cost-benefits of accessible transport including the wider social implications and improved and innovative solutions in respect of accessible design.

Improving cost efficiency: reduction of costs associated with product development, manufacturing and operating costs focusing on zero maintenance aircraft, increased use of automation and simulation.

Improving cost efficiency: reduction of costs associated with product development, manufacturing and operating costs focusing on innovative and zero maintenance, repair and overhaul, aircraft, increased use of automation and simulation.

Justification

In the operational theatre the maintenance repair and overhaul are strong cost drivers. The Air Transport sector could strengthen its competitive edge by the introduction of new, integrated and advanced concepts for maintenance, repair and overhaul. Specific attention in this field will also foster the involvement of SME’s in all member states.

– Pioneering the air transport of the future: addressing the longer term challenges of aviation with more radical, environmentally efficient and innovative combinations of technologies which would lead to significant steps forward in air transport.

– Pioneering the air transport of the future: addressing the longer term challenges of aviation with more radical, environmentally efficient, disability-accessible and innovative combinations of technologies which would lead to significant steps forward in air transport.

Justification

Access to mainstream transport services for disabled persons is central to transport policies of most Member States. There are opportunities for European research and development initiatives to support developments in this area and provide comparative data for example, studies on the cost-benefits of accessible transport including the wider social implications and improved and innovative solutions in respect of accessible design.

- fostering general aviation research as a source of ideas and human resources across the whole aeronautics sector.

Justification

General Aviation has a long European Tradition. It is a natural source of ideas and human resources for the aeronautics industry. Meanwhile SMEs and smaller research facilities can sometimes contribute much easier in this smaller brother of commercial aviation.

Surface Transport

Sustainable Surface Transport

Justification

Similar as in the 6FPRD, the heading should include the word 'sustainable', as Art. 6 of the Treaty obliges to integrate sustainable development into e.g. the research- and transport-sectors.

– The greening of surface transport: reduction of environmental and noise pollution;; development of clean and efficient engines, including hybrid technology and the use of alternative fuels for transport applications; end of life strategies for vehicles and vessels.

– The greening of surface transport: reduction of environmental and noise pollution;; development of clean and efficient engines, including hybrid technology and the use of alternative fuels for transport applications in particular hydrogen and fuel cells, taking account of cost-efficiency and energy-efficiency considerations; end of life strategies for vehicles and vessels.

Justification

Application of fuel cells in transport should involve financial resources also from this priority theme.

For transport activities, costs should be studied and assessed in terms of energy.

- Fostering the objectives of the Marco Polo programmes: specific research into the technical possibilities for, and benefits to health and the environment of, a shift to “greener” modes of transport and of overall traffic avoidance.

Justification

A great deal of money is being expended under the Marco Polo I and II programmes. However, there seems as yet to be a lack of corresponding research to ensure that the measures being subsidised are actually appropriate to the objectives. Particular clarifications and studies are needed in this context on overall traffic avoidance schemes.

Encouraging modal shift and decongesting transport corridors: development of innovative, intermodal and interoperable regional and national transport networks, infrastructures and systems in Europe; cost internalisation; information exchange between vehicle/vessel and transport infrastructure; optimisation of infrastructure capacity.

Encouraging modal shift and decongesting transport corridors: development of innovative, intermodal and interoperable regional and national transport and logistics networks, infrastructures and systems in Europe and methods for achieving their efficient operational use together with strategies providing transport links for urban and rural regions to corridors and higher-tier transport networks; cost internalisation; information exchange between vehicle/vessel and transport infrastructure; development of off-shore infrastructures; optimisation of infrastructure capacity, including activities addressing the interoperability and operational optimisation of local, regional, national and European transport networks, further experience with, and development of, the European Rail Traffic Management System.

Justification

ERTMS is important within TEN-T. Further accompanying research on standardisation, stabilisation and new experiences should be developed.

The European port capacity should double according experts within 2020 (source : UPACCIM Union des Ports Autonomes et des Chambres de Commerce et d’Industrie Maritimes) : in the context of an increasing difficulty to develop new port infrastructures due to environmental protection of the coasts, a promised alternative answer in the LNG transportation is a greater development of off-shore natural gas infrastructures for LNG carriers delivery.

Given the current problems facing progress on intermodality and the increase in congestion, it is urgent to develop new logistics systems at EU, national and regional level.

Infrastructure measures will lead to an improvement in the transport situation only where their efficient use is transparent. Intermodal transport networks require a huge input of coordination (by operators) and planning aids (for users) to ensure that the advantages are not outweighed by inherent inertia.

The proposed changes will mean a lasting improvement in the opportunities for boosting the proportion of rail transport in urban regions (rail links) and feeder routes to and from the main corridors. In particular, new technical and organisational developments from the Sixth Framework programme provide highly promising approaches here.

- Ensuring sustainable urban mobility: innovative organisation schemes, including clean and safe vehicles and non-polluting means of transport, new public transportation modes and rationalisation of private transport, communication infrastructure, integrated town planning and transport.

- Ensuring sustainable and accessible urban mobility: innovative organisation schemes, including clean and safe vehicles and means of transport with lower levels of pollution, also based on hydrogen and fuel cells, improving accessibility for persons with reduced mobility, improved and innovative solutions for transport vehicles and infrastructure - making them accessible to disabled persons, new public and/or collective transportation modes with a focus on efficiency throughout the entire mobility chain (public/collective transport, carsharing or pooling, walking and cycling) and rationalisation of private transport, communication infrastructure, integrated town planning, street works and transport incorporating modal shifts for freight traffic in line with environmental considerations; affordable schemes, balancing hardware and infrastructure measures with mobility management measures; management tools; smart software for integrated air quality, noise and traffic modelling; greater mobility between cities and their outer regions; mobility management and behavioural change measures.

Justification

Access to mainstream transport services for disabled persons is central to transport policies of most the Member States. There are opportunities for European research and development initiatives to support developments in this area and provide comparative data for example, studies on the cost-benefits of accessibility transport including the wider social implications and improved and innovative solutions in respect of accessible design.

Application of fuel cells in transport should involve financial resources also from this priority theme.

- Improving safety and security: as inherent to the transport system, in transport operations for drivers, passengers, crew, cyclists and pedestrians, in the design of vehicles, vessels, and within the total transport system.

- Improving safety and security: as inherent to the transport system, in transport operations for drivers, passengers, crew, cyclists and pedestrians and goods (including LNG), in the design of vehicles, vessels, infrastructures and within the total transport system.

Justification

R&D has to back up the LNG developments with sustainable management: it means to deal with efficient and safe LNG infrastructures and technologies together with deep understanding of LNG behaviour: energy ratio of LNG carriers, thermodynamic cycles, new material, new equipment...As it is more and more difficult to build LNG terminals in Europe mainly due to third party acceptance, the development of LNG offshore infrastructures appears as a promised solution to combine industrial constraints and third party demand as well as the safety aspects.

- Strengthening competitiveness: improvement of design processes; development of advanced power-train and vehicle technologies; innovative and cost-effective production systems and infrastructure construction; integrative architectures.

- Strengthening competitiveness: improvement of design processes; development of advanced power-train and vehicle technologies; innovative and cost-effective production systems and infrastructure construction and maintenance; integrative architectures.

Justification

The maintenance of surface transport infrastructures should also be supported by RTD activities since very often it is very cost-effective, if not more cost-effective than infrastructure construction.

Support to the European global satellite navigation system (Galileo): precise navigation and timing services for use in a range of sectors; efficient use of satellite navigation and support to the definition of second generation technologies.

Support to the European global satellite navigation system (Galileo) and EGNOS: precise navigation and timing services for use in a range of sectors; efficient use of satellite navigation and support to the definition of second generation technologies that could be used to rationalise terrestrial and marine transportation systems to increase efficiency and to improve safety and security. Enhancement of convergence between Galileo and all other existing transportation systems.

Justification

The EGNOS programme (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service), as a European contribution to the first generation of GNSS (global navigation satellite systems), should also receive special support to help overcome the limits of the current air navigation system and the strong growth in air travel in recent years.

It is necessary to emphasize the need for Galileo to join the existing trend towards a “quadruple” concept including voice, data, video, mobile communications, thus enhancing the general principle of ubiquity, encompassing transportation and communication systems.

To emphasize the role of Galileo in the realisation of a more integrated, safer and more efficient transportation system.

Generating an in-depth, shared understanding of complex and interrelated socio-economic challenges Europe is confronted with, such as growth, employment and competitiveness, social cohesion and sustainability, quality of life and global interdependence, in particular with the view of providing an improved knowledge base for policies in the fields concerned.

Generating an in-depth, shared understanding of complex and interrelated socio-economic challenges Europe is confronted with, such as demographic change and environmental challenges and all the consequences and opportunities they bring for growth, employment and competitiveness, social cohesion, intercultural understanding and integration and sustainability, quality of life and global interdependence, in particular with the view to providing an improved knowledge base for policies in these fields, with the specific objective of developing the prerequisites for a modern sustainable society based on full employment.

Justification

The challenges of growth, employment and competitiveness etc... are the Lisbon agenda points and not the challenges at stake. The issue at hand is that other important changes affect our present conception of the basis of our society of which the Lisbon agenda is the output. Research should be directed toward understanding the consequences and, not to forget, the new opportunities of the changes at hand and develop policy scenario's for Europe's policy makers.

The objective is the creation of a functioning European social model with something approaching full employment.

The interplay between different cultures in European societies is one of Europe's greatest challenges and is of crucial importance both for the overall cohesiveness of societies and for Europe's competitiveness.

has a strong and high quality research base in socio-economic sciences and the humanities fields. The diversity of approaches within the EU in the economic, social, political and cultural domains provides a highly fertile ground for research in these fields at EU-level. There is a high European added value in collaborative research addressing European socio-economic issues in the areas mentioned. First, the issues and challenges concerned are of high priority at the EU level and are addressed by EU policies. Second, comparative research across several or all EU countries offers a particularly effective tool as well as important learning opportunities across countries and regions.

Europe has a strong and high-quality research base in socio-economic and socio-cultural sciences and the humanities fields. The diversity of approaches within the EU in the economic, social, political and cultural domains provides a highly fertile ground for research in these fields at EU-level. There is a high European added value in collaborative research addressing European socio-economic issues in the areas mentioned. First, the issues and challenges concerned are of high priority at the EU level and are addressed by EU policies. Second, comparative research across several or all EU countries offers a particularly effective tool as well as important learning opportunities across countries and regions.

Justification

Europe also has a strong and high-quality research base in the socio-cultural sciences, which should be mentioned in this paragraph.

The activities to be supported are listed below and are expected to contribute significantly to improve the formulation, implementation, impacts and assessments of policy in a wide range of areas such as economic, social, education and training, enterprise, international trade, consumer, external relations, justice and home affairs and official statistics policies. In addition, opportunities will be provided to address emerging socio-economic challenges as well as to undertake research on new or unforeseen policy needs.

The activities to be supported are listed below and are expected to contribute significantly to improve the formulation, implementation, impacts and assessments of policy in a wide range of areas such as economic, scientific and technological, social, education and training, cultural, gender equality, enterprise, international trade, consumer, external relations, justice and home affairs and official statistics policies. In addition, opportunities will be provided to address emerging demographic and socio-economic challenges as well as to undertake research on new or unforeseen policy needs.

Justification

The comparative assessment and study of the science and technology policies of the various Union countries could be a valuable way of improving national efforts to fulfil the aims of the Lisbon agreement.

Cultural research is important and wide enough to be mentioned in the FP level and it compasses all aspects of culture.

Demographic change and the altered age structure of the population in the EU will in the future confront us with new political challenges which should be closely studied as part of the framework programme.

• Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge society: developing and integrating research on the issues affecting growth, employment and competitiveness, ranging from innovation, education including life-long learning and the role of scientific and other knowledge, to national institutional contexts.

• Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge society: developing and integrating research on the issues affecting growth, employment and competitiveness, ranging from innovation, education including life-long learning and the role of scientific and other national institutional contexts; the central role of knowledge and intangible goods in the production of economic, social and cultural wealth and for social and environmental well-being on a world wide scale; Age and policies on aging, linked to the necessary changes to social and welfare systems..

Justification

Central role should be given to knowledge for achieving Lisbon goals in creating knowledge-based economy and thus ensuring competitiveness and growth in Europe. This will promote also environmental, social and cultural well-being.

In regard to the R&D and Social-economic sciences and Humanities, knowledge and immaterial goods can promote research activities and development, particularly in respect to making science more popular for young researchers and raising the awareness on the main research challenges in Europe.

One of the biggest challenges for Europe will be aging population and the future of the welfare state, it must be tackled and knowledge for the adaptation will be needed.

Combining economic, social and environmental objectives in a European perspective: by addressing the two key and highly interrelated issues of continuing evolution of European socio-economic models and economic and social cohesion in an enlarged EU, taking into account the protection of the environment.

Combining economic, social and environmental objectives in a European perspective: by addressing the two key and highly interrelated issues of continuing evolution of European socio-economic models and economic, social and regional cohesion in an enlarged EU, from an interdisciplinary approach, taking into account the socioeconomic impact of European legislation, the protection of the environment, sustainability, including sustainable urban planning, energy issues and the role of cities and metropolitan regions.

Justification

Sustainable development as the cornerstone implies an interdisciplinary approach, and the analysis of its impact.

Major trends in society and their implications: such as demographic change including ageing and migration; lifestyles, work, families, gender issues, health and quality of life; criminality; the role of business in society and population diversity, cultural interactions and issues related to protection of fundamental rights and the fight against racism and intolerance.

Major trends in society and their implications: such as demographic change including ageing and migration; lifestyles, work, families, reconciling professional and family life, gender equality issues, health and quality of life, growing inequalities; urban areas as complex eco-systems; urban competitiveness; public and private actors in the development of planning of cities and urban areas; criminality; the situation and quality of life of disabled persons, in particular the situation of disabled persons with complex dependency needs and disabled persons living in institutions in Europe and the status of independent living schemes across Europe; the role of business in society and population diversity, ethnicity, religious pluralism, cultural interactions , including translation to facilitate cultural communication and issues related to protection of fundamental rights, the fight against racism and intolerance and the fight against all forms of discrimination; the positive impact of the cultural heritage on the quality of life in towns and cities; urban governance; development of innovative instruments, approaches and training for more effective cooperation between different spheres of government and between public and private actors in the development of planning processes for cities and urban areas; inequalities despite economic development.

Justification

In respect of quality of life initiatives, there is an important need for funding to be made available to investigate, in a comprehensive and thorough way, the situation of disabled persons living in institutions in Europe. A recent preliminary investigation undertaken by a Commission funded initiative indicates that little information exists at present about residential institutions and services in Europe. The project final report states that further investigation is necessary in this area and that the issues should be addressed in the future research framework of the European Union.

In addition, much more research is needed to provide comparative data on what exists across the different EU Member States and accession countries in respect of personal assistance support for disabled people, direct payment schemes and independent living centres for disabled people. Research is also necessary to assess how disabled persons and their families can exert free choice in respect of independent living.

The global context in which public authorities operate changes rapidly. Innovative mechanisms addressing relations between municipalities, regions and other spheres of government, as well as between public authorities and other stakeholders, should be developed and tested. The European City is characterised by specific capacities for social integration, compact spatial development patterns, concentration of economic activities and collective infrastructures, and participative modes of governance. The city is therefore of prime importance for the achievement of Europe’s socio-economic and environmental goals as described, for example, in the Lisbon and Gothenburg strategies.

In respect of quality of life initiatives, there is an important need for funding to be made available to investigate, in a comprehensive and thorough way, the situation of disabled persons living in institutions in Europe. A recent preliminary investigation undertaken by a Commission funded initiative indicates that little information exists at present about residential institutions and services in Europe. The project final report states that further investigation is necessary in this area and that the issue should be addressed in the future research framework of the European Union.

The urban landscape shapes citizens' lives, and has the potential to improve their well-being. Violence and other problems are often linked to the poor quality of urban architecture.

It is essential to include translation, which is of prime importance for ensuring mutual understanding between European countries and citizens, as a research area under the seventh framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013). If the European Union wishes to optimise the translation process, as stated by the Commission in its 'New framework strategy for multilingualism' of 22 November 2005, it is essential for extensive research to be undertaken into translation between a number of different languages, and for research workers to be able to apply for funding for such projects.