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Accompanying Measures

The Fifth Framework Programme and the IST Specific Programme define a set of Accompanying Measures. These cover measures for take-up, standardisation, interconnection of research networks, studies, information exchange, recourse to external expertise, socio-economic analysis, dissemination, information and communication, management of clustered RTD activities, training schemes, support for proposers especially SMEs and expertise for promoting services and networks. Accompanying Measures can be articulated either at level of programme, key action, or -more usually- action line cluster.

Proposals for "IST Accompanying Measures" may be submitted at any time (refer to the current call for proposals) and are typically evaluated in parallel with an evaluation of RTD proposals, and may also be the subject of targeted calls for tender.

Further detailed guidance on how to prepare and submit a proposal is contained in the Guide for Proposers.

In this 1999 Workprogramme, the set of accompanying measures are grouped into two categories as presented below.

3.8.1 IST Take-up (Trials, Best practice, First-use)

The IST programme specifically encourages the concept of take-up of leading edge technologies and methodologies by industry and other organisations in order to achieve greater efficiency, higher quality and greater economy. Take-up measures include trials, best practice actions, first-user actions(), assessments and other actions aimed at stimulating broad take-up, particularly in SMEs, and encouraging innovation.

These actions are complementary to, and integrated with RTD activities and are directly referenced within the workprogramme in the context of those specific Action Lines which incorporate "Take-up". Consequently, the timing for submission of proposals addressing Take-up measures will be defined in the published calls for proposals where focus is brought to specific action lines. Further information on format, preparation and submission of proposals is provided in the Guide for Proposers.

3.8.2 IST Accompanying Measures

The second category of accompanying measures are broadly applicable and are designed to facilitate increased interaction between programme participants, notably developers and users, to achieve a wide dissemination of results as well as to support SME's participation in the programme. These activities run in parallel with the RTD actions and are employed to prepare (before), support (during) and facilitate the rapid take-up and transfer (after) of technologies, experiences and know-how gained in the execution of RTD. The IST programme also specifically encourages the formation of of clusters of RTD activities with common objectives, concertation between projects needing to exchange information on selected common technical and standards topics, working groups and networks of excellence to encourage flexible collaboration between leading researchers. Support to the standards and pre-standards process will be encouraged in all areas. Socio-economic research actions will be co-ordinated and their results pooled in a coherent presentation format.

AM.1 SME Support Actions

 - SME Exploratory Awards and CRAFT-type measures: Are foreseen to help industrial SMEs, which are new to European programmes, to participate. The awards could cover part of the cost of preparing a future proposal for an industrial RTD project or for a Co-operative Research project and typically include partner search, detailed work plan definition, economic impact assessment, and a research feasibility study.

- SME Co-operative Research: Are designed to enable groups of SMEs with no or inadequate research means of their own - to engage third parties to carry out research in information society technologies on their behalf, to respond to specific user needs not addressed by commercial vendor products. Proposers should clearly demonstrate how the results can be integrated into existing products or processes.

AM.2 Networks and Groups

 - Networks of Excellence: Bring together industry, users, universities and research centres with a common RTD objective. Networks of excellence can be particularly beneficial for groups and institutions in outlying regions through the channel they provide for training, technology transfer, and access to expertise and resources.

- Working Groups: Aim at improving the systematic exchange of information and the forging of links between teams which carry out research around a common theme, through short scientific visits and the organisation of seminars, workshops or conferences. Working groups may also be used to support normalisation and standardisation activities and to coordinate the specification of user requirements to one or more ongoing projects.

AM.3 IST Project Clusters and Concerted Actions

 - IST Project Clusters: Are actively encouraged to co-operate with each other, and to develop a coherence of approach that will progressively integrate the IST Programme. This is an activity that should become embedded in the workplan of all projects, though there may be specific instances where additional support needs to be offered. Proposals may therefore be submitted by clusters of existing projects, for some additional resources necessary to support cluster activities. This measure aims at ensuring the close coordination and complementarity of work performed in the different projects in order to maximise their joint impact, especially concerning standardisation, best practice and take-up.

- Concerted actions: Aim to co-ordinate at a European level, RTD, technology transfer and best practice projects already funded at a national level by public authorities or private bodies. They can also include the requisite co-ordination of thematic networks bringing together manufacturers, users, universities and research centres to work on the same technological or industrial objectives.

AM.4 Analysis, Dissemination and Training Actions

 - Analysis of potential socio-economic consequences: These actions aim to understand the societal and economic consequences of the application and use of information society technologies developed within the programme.

- Dissemination and awareness actions: Aim to stimulate and promote the rapid take-up of RTD results and to enhance awareness of RTD activities, the IST programme itself and the exploitation of its results. This includes dissemination of the practical results of projects, the provision of wider access to existing trials and demonstrations, and participation in selected exhibitions and trade fairs.

- IST Information Windows(): Aim at the collection, coordination and provision of content, publication and management of that content, as related to IST projects and their results. To publish electronically (WWW CD-ROM etc), as well as periodically in paper or hybrid formats. In addition to the general publicity on IST produced e.g. in direct liaison with the Commission Services, there is a need for material of a more focused nature specifically targeted on the needs of particular interest groups.

- Training measures: Aim to help develop new skills and the learning of new techniques for both researchers and users who may apply for support to specific actions.

- Studies: These actions will provide both technology and market analysis to the research community, with a view to matching the research activities with socio-economic trends.




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