About the programme
The Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) is a separate, complementary programme to the Seventh Framework programme. With a yearly budget of around 60M€, the Fund supports research projects in the areas of coal (mining and utilisation) and steel (production and applications).
A smart financial design for financing coal and steel research
Since 2003 research activities in the area of coal and steel have been funded by the interest accrued each year on the assets of the European Coal and Steel Community (1,600 M€) remaining when the Treaty expired in 2002. The interest earned amounts to about €60 Million a year of which 27.2% and 72.8% are earmarked for coal and steel respectively.
RFCS funding allocation for coal and steel areas
|
Year
|
Budget allocated (M EUR)
|
Financial report |
| 2003 | 60 | OJ C 245 of 11.10.2003 |
| 2004 | 60 | COM (2004) 2864 |
| 2005 | 56,5 | COM (2005) 2033 |
| 2006 | 54,75 | COM (2006) 5022 |
| 2007 | 53,875 | COM (2007) 3103 |
These amounts are published in the financial report of the ECSC in liquidation adopted by the European Commission every year and available from the Economic and Financial Affairs Directorate.
A strategy to support competitiveness and sustainable development of the EU coal and steel industry
The long-term strategy of the Programme is based on priorities identified by the technology platforms of interest to the areas concerned: the European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP) for steel, the Zero Emissions Fossil Fuel Power Plants European Technology Platform (ZEP) for coal utilisation, the European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources (ETP SMR) for mining aspects.
These priorities are outlined in the Information Package which provides guidance to potential applicants for their submissions. The Information Package is updated annually to reflect any new priorities.
Submitting proposals
Proposals can be submitted any time with a cut-off date of 15 September each year, thanks to an open call, as set out by the 2008/376/EC Council Decision. There is no ceiling for project budget or for the number of participating partners in each project. Third countries may participate, but without receiving any European financial support.
Different types of projects are co-financed. The emphasis is on research, pilot and demonstration projects. The RFCS financial contribution is respectively up to 60% and 40% of the eligible costs.
A scientific follow-up is carried out by a "peer review" system. There are currently 48 coal projects and 237 steel projects.
Final reports of co-financed projects are available from the EU Bookshop. You can download them free of charge or purchase a paper copy online.
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Last updated on: 2008-09-15
