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NEST
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European
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Sixth
Research Framework Programme
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New
and emerging science
and technology - NEST
Contents:
Opening the frontiers
of tomorrow's research
To help European scientists take a leading position in developing the latest scientific opportunities, a new activity in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) will support research in 'New and emerging science and technology' - NEST. Standing slightly apart from other Framework Programme activities, NEST aims to support unconventional and visionary research with the potential to open new fields for European science and technology. It should also support the consolidation of European efforts, speeding up the development of European capability in new fields of research.
Through innovative and multidisciplinary approaches, NEST activities may help to address long-standing challenges. But a key strength of NEST will be its ability to respond to unforeseen new opportunities, and indeed new problems uncovered by science. In today's complex and inter-connected societies, new potential risks need to be investigated at an early stage, and NEST projects will focus on these issues too. The challenging objectives of NEST projects will, if they are successful, bring high rewards, although it is accepted that their initial promise may not always be fulfilled.
Strengthening Europe's position in science and technology, and in the global marketplace, through increased co-operation and integration of research, is the underlying aim of the European Research Area (ERA). As a key tool for this, the Sixth Framework programme focuses the bulk of its funding on seven priority themes. In these areas, Europe's strengths have already been identified and European-level goals defined. NEST is about helping European scientists to take a stake in the priority themes of the future, and anticipating emerging fields where Europe could develop a world-leading role.
NEST is designed to be flexible, more so than any other area of the Framework Programme. The Commission has deliberately not set limits on the scientific fields to be addressed. That said, NEST is not designed to support projects which simply cannot find their home in one of FP6's seven thematic priorities. When proposing topics for investigation, it will be up to researchers to demonstrate convincingly to the independent evaluators that the objectives represent a very significant challenge, that the potential impact of the work is extremely high, and that the approach is truly innovative.
NEST will support three complementary types of activities (see overleaf), each contributing to the overall goal of improving European anticipation of future scientific and technological needs.
In addition to developing new scientific understanding and capabilities, and opening up new fields, NEST activities will also assist in planning future activities in the European Research Area. They will help to nurture themes that will need larger-scale support in future European research programmes.
Three complementary mechanisms
NEST's three types of activities will operate in parallel:
In each area of NEST activity, proposals will be assessed on criteria designed to fit these specific objectives.
In addition NEST may also undertake support actions, such as methodological studies and activities to promote dialogue with the research community on emerging scientific fields.
These should address very challenging objectives in a novel and adventurous way to develop new scientific understanding and technological capabilities. They should use unconventional and innovative approaches, bringing together teams of researchers with different areas of expertise. Researchers will be expected to show strong personal commitment to their projects, appropriate to the high potential rewards expected.
As with all parts of the Framework Programme, ADVENTURE projects must be of truly excellent scientific quality, and have well-defined objectives. In principle, ADVENTURE projects may be undertaken in any research field, with the expectation that in many cases, they will be multidisciplinary.
ADVENTURE projects will generally be implemented as 'specific targeted research projects'. The first call for proposals will be announced in early 2003. It is envisaged that a two-stage procedure will be used, whereby a first evaluation (deadline mid-2003) would be made on the basis of short proposals aimed at demonstrating the challenging and adventurous nature of the planned project. At the second stage, full proposals would be invited from those submitting the highest-rated short proposals.
These are designed to investigate and evaluate new discoveries or phenomena which may bring new risks and potential problems for European society. Their aim will be to generate and consolidate scientific understanding, as well as to assist in formulating responses to address such problems.
As with other NEST activities, INSIGHT projects may, in principle, be undertaken in any scientific field. Their key attribute will be that they address newly-apparent developments which suggest significant potential risks. In character with NEST's principles, INSIGHT project teams will also in many cases adopt innovative and unconventional approaches.
INSIGHT
projects will be implemented through 'specific targeted research projects'
or 'co-ordination actions'. Again, a two-stage procedure is anticipated, either
through a mechanism similar to that used for ADVENTURE projects or by means
of a call for expressions of interest followed by a targeted call for proposals.
In either case, the first stage will require a demonstration of the importance
and urgency of research on the topic proposed. At the second stage, proposals
will need to put forward methodologies that effectively clarify and reduce
scientific uncertainties, and which demonstrate scientific excellence.
PATHFINDER initiatives
These are large-scale targeted initiatives, where NEST will support substantial actions involving several complementary projects within newly emerging fields of science and technology, focused on particularly challenging objectives. The aim is to help European scientists take the lead in pioneering new fields, building up European competence in such fields. NEST will focus here on clearly identified areas with substantial longer-term promise for Europe. One objective will be to prepare the ground for wider support to new fields in future European research programmes, in cases where the PATHFINDER initiative proves the potential.
PATHFINDER
topics will be selected by the Commission on the basis of a range of inputs,
in particular through consultations with the scientific community. It is envisaged
that an open call for ideas will be published, allowing any researcher to
put forward ideas. Other NEST projects will provide useful input, and high-level
scientific advice will also be sought.
PATHFINDER initiatives will be expected to comprise up to 10 or 15 'specific
targeted research projects' and perhaps 'co-ordination actions'. In some cases
'integrated projects'
may be used in combination with smaller projects,
or possibly
even making up the whole of an initiative. Whichever approach is used, each
component project will be expected to work closely with the others.
Specific calls for proposals will be launched for each PATHFINDER initiative,
with the first anticipated in late 2003. Separate calls may in some cases
be opened for different phases of a single PATHFINDER initiative.
The
overall budget for NEST within FP6 is expected to be €215 million. Of
this, it is envisaged that some €75 million will be allocated to ADVENTURE
and INSIGHT projects. With the first calls due to be launched in mid-2003,
funding will be committed more or less evenly each year from 2004 to 2006.
The remainder (€140 million or so) will go to PATHFINDER initiatives.
Annual funding commitments will increase gradually from 2004 as the range
of NEST activities under way builds up.
For
further information, please contact:
European Commission - Research Directorate
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
Fax : +32/2 299.31.73
e-mail : rtd-nest@cec.eu.int
http://www.cordis.lu/nest/