| 1. The European Communitys RTD policy
is directed towards strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Community
industry and encouraging it to become more competitive at international level, while
promoting all the research activities deemed necessary by virtue of other Chapters of the
Treaty. It shall also contribute to promoting the quality of life of the Communitys
citizens and to the sustainable development of the Community as a whole, including the
ecological
aspects. Its implementation is based on the twin principles of scientific and
technological excellence and relevance to the abovementioned objectives.
Moreover, in pursuit of a cost-benefit approach dictated by concern for optimum
allocation of European public funding and in accordance with the subsidiarity principle,
themes for the fifth framework programme and the related objectives are selected on the
basis that the Community shall take action only if and in so far as the objectives cannot
be sufficiently achieved by the Member States.
2. In application of the foregoing principles, the framework programme shall be defined
on the basis of a set of common criteria, divided into three categories:
Criteria related to the Community value added and the subsidiarity
principle
need to establish a critical mass in human and financial terms, in
particular through the combination of the complementary expertise and resources available
in the various Member States,
significant contribution to the implementation of one or more Community
policies,
addressing of problems arising at Community level, or questions relating to
aspects of standardisation, or questions connected with the development of the European
area, so as to select only objectives which are more efficiently pursued at the Community
level by means of research activities conducted at that level.
Criteria related to social objectives
improving the employment situation,
promoting the quality of life and health,
preserving the environment, in order to further major social objectives of the
Community reflecting the expectations and concerns of its citizens.
Criteria related to economic development and scientific and technological
prospects
areas which are expanding and create good growth prospects,
areas in which Community businesses can and must become more competitive,
areas in which prospects of significant scientific and technological progress
are opening up,offering possibilities for dissemination and exploitation of results in the
medium or long term, in order to contribute to the harmonious and sustainable development
of the Community as a whole.
3. The criteria referred to in paragraph 2 will be used, and where necessary
supplemented, for the purposes of the implementation of the fifth framework programme, in
order to define the specific programmes and select research and technological development
activities, including demonstration activities. The three categories of criteria will
supply simultaneously and must all be met, although to a different extent from case to
case.
GENERAL OUTLINES OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL
OBJECTIVES AND RELATED PRIORITIES
With regard to the themes and organisation of the fifth framework programme, it is
recalled that, in accordance with Article 130g of the EC Treaty, the fifth framework
programme will comprise four activities:
the first activity covers research, technological development and demonstration
programmes,
the second activity is aimed at promoting cooperation on research, technological
development and demonstration with third countries and international organisations,
the third activity concerns the dissemination and optimisation of the results of
research, technological development and demonstration activities,
the fourth activity is intended to stimulate the training and mobility of
researchers.
The research, technological development and demonstration programmes will comprise:
key actions,
research and technological development activities of a generic nature,
activities in support of research infrastructures.
These programmes will, where appropriate, include studies and research activities on
relevant ethical and legal aspects, within a context of fundamental respect for human
values. Community funding for research projects unter this programme will be used
exclusively for civil purposes, including research on the detection and clearance of
landmines.
Within these programmes, particular account will be taken of the socioeconomic
implications of the implementation, use, and effects of the technologies, processes and
scenarios covered by each of these programmes. As an integral part of actions within the
first activity, relevant socioeconomic research will be carried out. A particular effort
will be made to ensure coherence between these activities in order to optimise the
exploitation and dissemination of results by users. These actions will be complemented by
socioeconomic research on horizontal issues carried out within the fourth activity.
Particular account will be taken of the need to encourage the participation of women in
the fields of research and technological development.
In addition, in the framework of a coherent approach involving also the second, third
and fourth activities, these programmes will implement, in their respective areas, actions
contributing to the aims of these activities.
A particular effort will be made to encourage genuine participation of SMEs in the
programme, especially in shared-cost actions.
Synergy will be sought with other relevant Community instruments.
(a) Key actions
Key actions will be problem-oriented and clearly defined corresponding to the criteria
and specifically targeted to the objectives of each programme and to the desired results,
taking into account the views of users. They will have a clear European focus. The
key action is regarded as a cluster of small and large, applied, generic and,
as appropriate, basic research projects directed towards a common European challenge or
problem not excluding global issues.
The research activities carried out in this context will integrate the entire spectrum
of activities and disciplines needed to achieve the objectives, and range from basic
research through development to demonstration. Appropriate links with relevant national
and international initiatives (including complementary European RTD frameworks) will be
given proper attention.
(b) Research and technological development activities of a generic nature
These activities, which are essential to achieve the objectives of the thematic
programmes, will be carried out in a limited number of areas not covered by the key
actions. They will complement the key actions. Their main aim is to help the Community
maintain and improve its scientific and technological capability in those areas of
research and enabling technologies which should be used widely.
(c) Support for research infrastructures
Since the construction and operation of research infrastructure is the responsibility
of national authorities, Community support for research infrastructures in line with the
objectives of the thematic programmes should contribute to cover two essential
requirements at Community level: (1) the need for an optimum use of existing research
infrastructures and (2) the need for transnational cooperation in the rat ional and
cost-effective development of researchinfrastructures.
The role of the Community should be to provide added value, complementary to national
or multinational initiatives. Community support may enhance access to infrastructures and
will in particular be provided for research infrastructure networks leading to further
complementarity, pooling of efforts and/or specialisation at the European level (including
the compatibility of databases).
The horizontal themes are at the crossroads of the Communitys research policy and
its policies for external relations, innovation, SMEs and human resources, and for social
and employment issues.
Each of them comprises:
specific activities, including, where necessary, key actions, linked to the
general objectives of the Communitys policy with regard to external relations,
innovation, SMEs and human resources which are not carried out as part of the themes of
the first activity,
activities essentially in the form of coordination, support and accompanying
activities to ensure the coherence of equivalent activities carried out under the themes
of the first activity.
In coordination and interaction with the horizontal programmes, the thematic programmes
will take the necessary measures to make an active contribution, in the context of their
own activities, towards the achievement of the general objectives of the horizontal
programmes.
Community support for research infrastructures in the context of the fourth activity
will concentrate in particular on measures enhancing access to such infrastructures.
The direct RTD actions to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will
comprise research and scientific and technical support activities of an institutional
character. The JRC may provide support where it has special or even unique expertise and
facilities in the Community or where it is entrusted with activities necessary for the
framing and implementation of Community policies and tasks incumbent on the Commission
pursuant to the Treaty which require the JRCs impartiality (for example in the case
of standardisation). The JRC will carry out its activities in close cooperation with the
scientific community and enterprises in Europe. Exchanges between the JRC and
universities, research institutes and industry will be encouraged.
The JRC is also progressively involved in competitive activities.
The appropriations made available to the JRC constitute a maximum amount. In addition,
the JRC may endeavour to secure funds from other sources. The relevant JRC management
rules and regulations will apply to these allocations.
THEME 1
QUALITY OF LIFE AND MANAGEMENT OF LIVING RESOURCES
Improving the quality of life and health is a major challenge and the Community plans
to tackle it by helping to increase knowledge and develop technologies in the field of the
life sciences.
In this context, the need is to improve the quality of life of all Europes
citizens, taking into account the particular problems of certain sectors of the population
such as the ageing and the disabled.
At the same time, progress in this area will help to increase the competitiveness of
the Communitys enterprises by opening up new prospects in areas in which the
Community already has a strong hand, such as biotechnology, agro-industry, and the fields
of health and the environment, in which rapid progress continues to be made.
(a) Key actions
(i) Food, nutrition and health
The aim of this key action is to promote the development of knowledge, technologies and
methods, including prenormative aspects, based on multidisciplinary approaches to produce
a safe, healthy, balanced and varied food supply for consumers covering the whole food
chain. This requires as a priority:
the development of safe, flexible and new and/or improved manufacturing
technologies to improve food quality and consumer acceptability, while guaranteeing
traceability of raw materials and final products,
the development of tests to detect and processes to eliminate infectious and
toxic agents throughout the food chain,
research into the role of food in promoting and sustaining health with respect
to diet and nutrition, toxicology, epidemiology, environmental interaction, consumer
choice and public health.
(ii) Control of infectious diseases
The priority objectives of this key action are the fight against and control of
infectious diseases, both human and animal, including zoonoses, of increasing impact,
whether established, newly emerging or in resurgence, based on research seeking a better
understanding of the immune system. Close attention is to be paid to:
the development of improved or novel mono-component, multipurpose and combined
vaccines, especially against viral diseases, including the support of multicentre clinical
trials,
new and improved strategies to identify and control infectious diseases,
directed at treatment and prevention and based on studies on pathogenesis, emergence of
resistance and immunological control,
aspects connected with public health and care delivery systems, notably
management, prevention, surveillance, behavioural aspects and response to infectious
diseases (including modelling of human diseases).
(iii) The cell factory
This key action is aimed at helping the Communitys enterprises to exploit the
advances made in life sciences and technologies, particularly in the fields of health,
environment, agriculture, agro-industries and high value-added products, such as
chemicals. It is aimed at developing multidisciplinary technologies based on the
exploitation of the properties of micro-organisms, plants and animals, in particular at
the cellular and sub-cellular levels. The objective is to understand the functioning of
cells in order to develop bio-molecules and bio-processes with high added-value capable of
enhancing the quality of life and health, including:
new and innovative health processes and products, particularly from molecular
engineering (for example diagnostics, antibiotics, anti-cancer agents, including
plant-produced therapeutics),
energy-efficient bio-remediation and waste bio-treatment processes,
new biological processes and products, new processing technologies on the basis
of new plant and animal characteristics for agri-food and agri-industry and high
value-added chemical applications.
This key action should also aim at RTD to make cell cultures available as models for
medicine, pharmacology, toxicology and environmental monitoring to substitute for animal
testing and for prenormative purposes.
(iv) Environment and health
The aim of this key action is to achieve a better understanding of the interactions
between the genetic, physiological, environmental and social factors involved in
sustaining good health and so to help reduce the adverse impact on health of changes in
the environment and the workplace and the immense costs to health systems arising
therefrom. It covers in particular issues such as prevention and the effects on health of
air pollution, heavy metals and toxic substances, noise, climatic changes and
electromagnetic radiation, as well as the effects of pollution at the workplace. It
includes as a priority:
multidisciplinary approaches for achieving a better understanding of the
interaction between the social and physical environment and health, including research
into diseases and allergies related to or influenced by the environment and research into
their treatment and prevention,
epidemiological studies and pathogenesis research,
the development of new methods of diagnosis, risk assessment and prevention,
the development of processes to identify and, where possible, reduce harmful
effects on health and the causes thereof.
(v) Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry, including integrated development
of rural areas
The aim is to develop the knowledge and technologies needed for the production and
exploitation of living resources, including forests, covering the whole production chain,
adapted to recent adjustments in the common agricultural and fisheries policies, whil also
providing the scientific basis for Community regulations and standards. Similarly, the aim
is to promote the multipurpose role of forests and the sustainable management and
utilisation of forest resources as an integral factor of rural development. Priority areas
include:
new and sustainable systems of production, including breeding methods, and
exploitation in agriculture, forestry, fishing and aquaculture, taking into account
profitability, the sustainable management of resources, product quality and employment as
well as animal health and welfare,
the integrated production and exploitation of biological materials (non-food
uses),
sustainable and multipurpose utilisation of forest resources; the integrated
forestry-wood chain,
development of methods of control, surveillance and protection, including
protection of land and prevention of soil erosion,
prelegislative research designed to provide a scientific basis for Community
legislation,
the production of new tools and models for the integrated and sustainable
development of rural and other relevant areas based on optimisation of the specific
potential of each area, including at regional level, diversification of activities and
land use, and involvement of the people concerned.
(vi) The ageing population
This key action aims to help Europe meet the challenge of the growing ageing population
through RTD to underpin the development of policies and interventions to extend the
quality of life and independence of older people, and to reduce the need for long-term
care and its consequential costs. It gives priority to multidisciplinary RTD relating to
processes leading to healthy ageing, including demographic, social and economic aspects,
and to interventions leading to the postponement and improved management of disability. It
aims to generate competitive advantage for a wide range of health related industries and
sectors.
Priority areas include:
RTD on illnesses and health problems of high morbidity (1)
which are
age-related and where there is a real prospect for significant prevention, treatment or
delay in onset,
RTD concerning biological, psychological, social and economic determinants of
healthy ageing and of the mechanisms leading to disability and the postponement of
disability,
demographic and epidemiological research on ageing and disability trends to
enable prediction of the size and nature of the ageing population as a basis for policy
and planning,
RTD to provide a basis for new approaches to delaying the onset of disability,
to reducing the challenge to older people of their social and physical environment (e.g.
in housing and transport) and to supporting mental and physical functioning,
RTD concerning effective and efficient delivery of health and social care
services to older people, including comparative research on the financing of long-term
care and pensions.
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(1) Long and serious illness, entailing a high burden on society,
families, individuals and their carers.
(b) Research and technological development activities of a generic nature
Chronic and degenerative diseases (in particular cancer and diabetes),
cardiovascular diseases and rare diseases
Major challenges in biomedical research are the elucidation of the aetiology and
pathogenesis of diseases for which there is more than one interacting cause (genetic,
environmental, lifestyle) of high (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes) or low
(e.g. rare diseases) morbidity. There is an urgent need to improve diagnosis, treatment,
prevention and surveillance through epidemiology and applying advances in modern
technology, requiring a multinational approach,
Research into genomes and diseases of genetic origin
The aim of this activity is to identify the physiological functions of genes and to
improve the understanding of the meaning of sequence information. The new knowledge and
technologies deriving from this generic action should promote the exploitation of genomic
information to the benefit of European health, industry and the environment. The
organisation of collaboration in this area will underpin the development of expression
systems to facilitate the study of genes of industrial and agronomic interest as well as
the design of effective molecular and gene-based preventive and therapeutic strategies for
human and animal disease,
Neurosciences
This activity should provide new insights and understanding of the mechanisms governing
the interrelationship of biological and psychological processes, to promote new diagnostic
(e.g. imaging) and therapeutic approaches to neurological and psychiatric disorders and to
underpin opportunities for innovation in health-care industries,
Research relating to public health and health services
Improvement of health systems: to improve the health of European citizens and the
effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health promotion and health-care technologies and
interventions, to enhance health and safety at work, to evaluate health-care models, to
develop the evidence base for clinical practice and health policy and to study health
variations across Europe. Fighting drug-related problems: to prevent and, where
appropriate, control drug-related health problems through establishing the psychological
and socioeconomic factors involved in drug-taking and drug abuse, developing better
understanding of the long-term health and social consequences of abuse, and developing
more effective treatment strategies,
Research relating to the disabled
The aim of this activity is to enhance the quality of life and independence of disabled
people, notably through improving their social and physical environment and the effective
and efficient delivery of the health and social care services available to them.
The study of problems relating to biomedical ethics and bioethics in the context
of respect for fundamental human values ( 1
),
The study of the socioeconomic aspects of development of the life sciences and
technologies within the perspective of sustainable development (impact on society, the
economy and employment)
(c) Support for research infrastructures
In accordance with the general objectives outlined above, activities should focus, for
example, on databases and collections of biological material, centres for clinical
research and trials and facilities for fishery and aquaculture research.
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( 1 ) Taking account of the declaration of the European Council of
Amsterdam and the European Parliament resolution on the banning of human cloning (OJ C
115, 14.4.1997, p. 92) and of relevant Community legislation, research conducted at
Community level will be carried out, taking account of the competent authorities, in
particular the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and the Human
Embryo and Foetus Protection Group, as well as the opinions of relevant international
organisations, whilst respecting the principles laid down in the Helsinki Declaration and
the relevant resolutions of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and in other relevant
international Conventions.
No research activity which modifies or is intended to modify the genetic heritage of human
beings by alteration of germ cells or by acting at any other stage in embryonic
development and which can make such alteration heritable will be carried out under the
present framework programme. In the same way, no research activity, understood in the
sense of the term cloning, will be conducted with the aim of replacing a germ
or embryo cell nucleus with that of the cell of any individual, a cell from an embryo or a
cell coming from a late stage of development to the human embryo.
To the extent possible, animal experiments and tests on animals should be replaced with in
vitro or other alternative methods. Modification of the genetic heritage of animals and
animal cloning will be envisaged within the current framework programme only for
objectives which are justified on ethical grounds and to the extent that the operations
involved are effected on an ethical basis, with respect for the well-being of animals and
the principles of genetic diversity.
(The practical effects of this will be further elaborated in the specific programmes).
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