Participating in FP6 - the EU's research programme

The EU Sixth Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (FP6) was successfully launched in Malta on December 6 and 7 at the historical buildings of the Chamber of Commerce in Valletta.

This was a joint event organised by the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and the European Unit of the University of Malta. Officials from the European Commission within DG Research, and local experts gave presentations about various subjects ranging from health and food safety to technology transfer and research innovation. Legal aspects and the new instruments required for participation in the Framework Programme were also addressed.

Since 2001, Malta has been fully associated to the EU's Framework Programme. Having been responsible for promoting and co-ordinating Malta's effective participation in the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) now drawing to an end, the MCST this year has been given the task of hosting the National Contact Point Organisation (NCPO) for FP6.

Recently, the council appointed National Contact Points (NCPs) for all the thematic priorities and horizontal activities within FP6. The role of an NCP is to assist, inform and provide advice to interested parties wishing to participate in this research programme. All NCPs work actively with other experts and researchers from academia, the public and/or private sector and industry to foster participation within the Framework Programme.

Through the Framework Pro-gramme, the European Commission aims to cut down on fragmentation and duplication of research, and increase the critical mass of researchers. It is more likely to produce results which meet the expectations of researchers, scientists and citizens by bringing together all resources available across the European Union and candidate countries. Thus, FP6 is a major tool to support the creation of the European Research Area (ERA).

Major activities to promote the ERA include the following seven thematic priorities:

¤ Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health;

¤ Integrated society technologies;

¤ Nanotechnology, materials and processes;

¤ Aeronautics and space;

¤ Food quality and safety;

¤ Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems; and

¤ Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society.

These priority areas, with other horizontal activities such as policy development, co-ordination activities, implementing research infrastructures, mobility of researchers, and co-operative research for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) all contribute towards creating the ERA.

To meet these objectives of promoting and enhancing collaborative European research, the Commission has devoted a budget of €17.5 billion to fund this four-year research programme - a budgetary increase of €2.5 billion over the previous Framework Programme, FP5.

On December 17, the Commission published the first calls for participation in FP6. These calls are open under 'integrating the ERA' and 'structuring the ERA'.

CORDIS, the European Commission's Research and Develop-ment Information Service, is paving the way and has already provided a comprehensive list of the forthcoming calls which can be viewed at www.cordis.lu/fp6/calls.

This service will offer direct access to key documents - the call texts, work programmes, guide for proposers and further explanations on FP6. Additionally, users will have quick access to search features to identify partners interested in the same topics.

Further information will thereafter be added to help potential participants review available funding opportunities and planned calls as well as a direct link to the online submission tool.

Malta successfully participated in 47 projects through FP5 reaping €3 million in funding. The MCST is participating in nine of these projects, namely, Train-Net, Partners for Life, Ideal-IST, Synergnet, MIPS, IPR-Guide, IRC, eFORESEE and Record.

As an NCP organisation, the MCST is looking forward to assist and inform all interested parties to ensure another fruitful and successful participation of Maltese entities in FP6.

Further information can be ob- tained at www.mcst.org.mt or by contacting MCST at info@ mcst.org.mt.

Ms Pullicino is executive secretary of the FP6 and National Contact Point for Food Quality and Safety, Malta Council for Science & Technologya