EUROPEAN COMMUNICTY�

• India- European Union Science & Technology Cooperation

Introduction

Agreement on S&T Cooperation between Government of Republic of India & European Commission (Nov.23,2001 & ratified on Oct. 14,2002) provides the basis of cooperation. This S&T Agreement now provides an opportunity for India to work with Europe as partner in advanced technology sectors listed in all the thematic priorities of EC Framework Program for Research & Technology Development. This new channel is different from past arrangements wherein Indian scientists and institutions were participating in EC Programmes in limited sectors, as applicable to any "Developing Country".

Implementation of the Agreement vests with India-EC Steering Committee on S&T Cooperation , serviced jointly by Indian DST(International Cooperation Division) & European Commission ( Research Directorate General). The actions are underway to hold 1st Meeting of this India-EC Steering Committee to agree on India-EU S&T Program of Cooperation (POC) including modalities of cooperation , financial and administrative terms of support from agencies responsible for execution of S&T Agreement .

Areas of Cooperation**
To begin with, India-EC POC in S&T is proposed to be drawn with focus on -

• Life Sciences, Genomics & Biotechnology for Health
  (EC Workprogramme at www.cordis.lu/lifescihealth/workprogramme.htm)
• Nanotechnology & Nanosciences, Knowledge based multifunctional materials, New Production processes and devices
  (EC Workprogramme at www.cordis.lu/nmp/home.html)
• Information Societies Technologies
  (EC Workprogramme at www.cordis.lu/ist/workprogramme/fp6_workprogramme.htm)

(** Any addition areas of mutual interest can be included through exchange of letters.)

Modes of Cooperation
Following opportunities existing by virtue of the India-EC S&T Agreement, are brought to the kind attention of Indian research entities (working in academic institution, research institute or in-house R&D unit of public sector):

• Indian researchers can join European Research & Technology Development (RTD) Integrated Projects, Networks of Centres of Excellence and can figure in selected Marie Curie Actions- Fellowships for Early Stage Research Training, Incoming International Fellowships, Large Marie Curie Conferences.
  (Such requests are periodically published by EC in relation to EC Sixth Framework Program 2002-2006(FP6) and Indian researchers can be partner in any of the FP6 Seven Thematic Priorities related cooperation proposals;Details at web address http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/iscp
• Indian researchers can access European Large Scale Research Facilities in wide spectrum of S&T fields in relation to implementation of Joint RTD Projects with European Union -EU (and/or its member states);latest information on European Large Scale Research Facilities (ELSF) is at http://improving-ari.sti.jrc.it/access (Europeans access to similar advanced research infrastructure/facilities in India can be offered as well )
• Undertaking joint RTD projects which may arise from India-EU Thematic Workshops/ Joint Scientific Missions etc.
• Participation in European scale magascience projects such as Development of European Satellite Navigation System, Galileo.

Soliciting joint proposals for S&T POC
Expression of interest are invited simultaneously in India & European Union . Indian DST notifies an advertisement for this purpose in Current Science Journal.The one currently posted in Current Science Sept.10,2003 issue can be accessed at webaddress: http://tejas.serc.iisc.ernet.in/~currsci

Guidelines and Application Format
DST invites suggestions of Indian research community on the specific items/topics of interest vis-à-vis ECFP6 Thematic Priorities- Workprogramme , as listed above . Pre-proposal in 500 words on scope of cooperation with a minimum of 3 partners from different EU member states is required by Oct. 10,2003 . Suggestions and pre-proposal are generally required to address the following criteria:

q Access to European expertise and experimental research facilities relevant to execution of on-going major national R&D projects;

• Joint technology and product development based on tangible Indian core competence;
• Exposure to advanced skills and nucleation of new research groups in emerging S&T fields ;
• Expanding linkages with European network of scientists and research institutions

Processing of Proposals & Project Duration
Indian & European Commission Agencies responsible for executing implementation of S&T Agreement are expected to hold India-EU Thematic Workshops allowing joint scientific -cum-official interaction for arriving at contents and administrative and financial details of India-EC S&T POC. The joint actions approved by India-EC Steering Committee on S&T Cooperation will be implemented.

Financial Support
Approved activities under the India-EC S&T POC can be funded by EC/ both Indian DST & EC Research DG et all