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| EC seeks to double research budget.
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12/8/04 |
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Intelligent transport planning for the next five year cycle of research and development is under way with the recent publication of a discussion document on the 7th Framework Programme (FP7).
The document, which was circulated for comment at a meeting in Brussels in June, called for a doubling of the €16 billion European Commission's research budget on the Framework Programme, a new agency for basic research and a new management structure for upcoming initiatives.
With the enlargement of the European Union in May of this year, there is little doubt that the Commission will see more money allocated to research across a range of issues, together with an overhaul of its administrative procedures. It remains doubtful, in the present economic climate, that member states will accede to the full 100% increase.
"We must justify the doubling of the research and development budget and must adopt a new approach," admitted Philippe Busquin, the European Commissioner responsible for research, speaking at the Brussels meeting.
Next year the Commission is expected to publish its formal proposals for a programme that will take ITS development in Europe through to 2010. The proposals are expected to include the themes of 'space' and 'security' as two new areas of research. Amongst the other initiatives will be the creation of poles of excellence, the stimulation of competition between research groups and the development of research infrastructures of European interest. Transport and information technology are two of the key areas within the proposals for FP7
The Commission is determined to see a greater level of transparency in the evaluation process of the on-going projects, a reduction in delays and the minimising of the cost of preparing projects.
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