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Research Europe 4 July issue: stories on FP6 ethics, research ministers, FP6 cost models, products for 2010, and DFG peer review.

July 04, 2002

Governments still split over FP6 ethics
EU member states are still at odds over the way in which bioethical issues are to be handled in Framework 6. While both the Commission and the incoming Danish presidency of the EU are adamant that the disagreement will not delay the programme, there is no sign of a compromise. The disagreement relates to whether Framework 6 should support or exclude certain areas of research that some states feel are ethically questionable.

Research council scrapped
The EU's heads of government have decided to scrap the Council of Research Ministers. Research issues will now be handled by a "competitiveness" council, which will also absorb the responsibilities of the industry and internal market councils. Ministers in this council will also consider tourism.

Commission concedes third FP6 cost model
The Commission has been forced to backtrack on proposals to have just two cost models for contracts under Framework 6. Changes to the text of the rules of participation mean the Commission will now offer a "full-cost" model based on actual expenses, direct and indirect, and another "full-cost" model with an optional flat-rate component. These will be included alongside the original "additional-cost" model used in Framework 5.

Initiative on products discussed for FP6
An initiative on "Products for 2010" is being discussed for Framework 6. This would address aspects of two thematic priorities: priority two, on information society technologies; and priority three, on nanoscience, materials and production processes. It would also cover EU participation in the Intelligent Manufacturing Systems initiative, and perhaps also draw in Eureka and Cost activities.

DFG proposes sweeping reform to peer review system
Germany's chief research funding body, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, has announced plans for sweeping changes to its peer review system. The package of reforms goes to the DFG general assembly meeting this month so that it can enter force in time for the forthcoming election of new reviewers in 2003.

Research Fortnight Ltd