Archives: May 2007

The first call for proposals under the new LIFE+ programme is expected on the 15 September 2007, with a deadline for submission of proposals to the national coordinating body of the 30 November 2007.

Successful projects would then receive approval in July/August 2008. Important features of the new programme include the introduction of national budgetary allocations and the setting of strategic priorities at national level from 2008. However, the final decision on project selection will remain with the European Commission. The programme, which will have a total budget of just under EUR 1.9 billion for the period 2007-2013, will focus on three main aspects of EU environmental policy: nature and biodiversity, environment policy and governance, and information and communications on environmental issues. Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/news/futureoflife.htm

EUROSOLAR, the European Association for Renewable Energy, has published a call for proposals for the National and European Solar Prizes 2007.

The prize is awarded to local authorities, local businesses, individuals, engineers, architects, installations using renewable energies, and to organisations rendering outstanding service to the utilisation of renewable energy. The deadline for the receipt of proposals is 31 July 2007. Further details at: www.eurosolar.org

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals in the area of Transport Safety and Internal Market and Optimisation of Transport Systems.

The types of activities to be supported under this call include: 1. Coaching, teaching, training, and learning initiatives involving participants in more than one Member State, which aim to improve the behaviour of road users and operators in traffic; 2. Research and dissemination of best practices; 3. Coordination and harmonisation of standards and procedures. The total budget is EUR 5,700,000, with co-financing of between 10 and 50% (contributions in kind are not allowed). Deadline for applications: 9 July 2007. Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/grants/doc/2007/transport/call_transport_2007_sub_01_en.pdf

The European Commission is currently finalizing proposals for a new research funding initiative for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The new initiative, called Eurostars, will have a budget of EUR400 million during the period from 2007 to 2013, made up of EUR100 million from the EUs 7th Framework Programme for Research and EUR300 million from participating member states. Its focus will be on providing support to near-market research carried out by SMEs.

Projects should last for a maximum of three years and the product of the research should be ready for release on the market two years after project completion. In the case of medical products, two years should be enough to prepare them for clinical trials. The plan is to fund around 90 projects per year, on the basis that each project would have an average overall budget of EUR1.4 million, with public sources covering around 50%. Each project will need to involve at least two SMEs from two different participating countries. Two cut-off dates will apply each year for the receipt of project applications, with the first planned for 2 December 2007. Further details at: http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/tiles/main.html