Brussels, Belgium -- European developers and researchers are burning
with desire to transition Europe to the information society.
The European Commission has received more than 900 proposals for its new
Information Technology program, ESPRIT. According to the European
Commission Directorate General, 161 proposals were received in the area of
software technologies, 181 for technology for components and subsystems,
92 for multimedia systems, 131 for long-term research, 52 for open
microprocessor systems initiative, 111 for high performance computing and
networking (HPCN), 88 for technologies for business processes and 93 for
integration in manufacturing.
One of the specific programs of the European Community's fourth
framework program for research and technology development, Esprit is
central to Europe's construction of the information society.
According to a press release from the European Commission, the new
program has a strong market and user orientation and the new
rolling system of multiple focused calls enables more flexibility and
responsiveness to changes in both technologies and the market.
It also introduces measures to make the program more user-friendly and
to lower the cost of preparing proposals, especially for small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In the domains of long-term research and
HPCN for instance, proposals are submitted in two steps. In the first step
proposers are invited to submit an easy to prepare short proposal.
Successful applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal where the
chances of success are significantly greater. If this scheme proves
successful, it may be extended to the other domains.
SMEs also receive assistance through the SME's exploratory award scheme.
These awards are given to SMEs to help them participate in the program.
Proposals for these awards can be submitted at any time.
Following the technical evaluation by independent experts of the
proposals, a short-list of the most highly rated ones will form the basis,
in May and June, for the Commission services' consultation and the
consultation with the Information Technology Committee. The committee is
comprised of representatives of each EU member state and associated
country. Results of these consultations will be presented to the
Commission for a formal decision in July. Subject to the outcome of
contract negotiations, the first projects will start soon afterwards.
Additional information about Esprit and the future calls for proposals
can be obtained at <http://www.ecrc.de/> or <http://www.cordis.lu/> or by
sending e-mail to "infodesk@dgl3.cec.be ".
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Copyright 1995 Tabor Griffin Communications.
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