The Research Council concluded during its meeting on 11 March it needs more details before it can adopt the rules of participation and the specific programmes of the 6th Research Framework Programme.
The Research Council stated it needs more details on the
following matters:
- Issues relating to the competences of the programme committee
responsible for advising the Commission on implementation of the
specific research programmes; - As some Member States have proposed for a single programme
committee meeting in different configurations, the Council wants
more information on its practical implementation so as to ensure
“full clarity, transparency and efficiency”; - On the rules for participation, criteria for the evaluation and
selection of research actions; - The liability of participating consortia;
- The general and preferential support to national fusion teams
in the context of EurAtom research.
Other issues discussed during the Research
Council were a European space strategy, thermonuclear fusion, life
sciences and biotechnology, bioterrorism and COST (coorperation in
the field of science and technology).