Brussels, 09/08/2004 (Agence Europe) - The high level group chaired by former Spanish research minister Ramon Mairmon published a report at the end of June making a preliminary assessment of the new elements (integrated projects and networks of excellence) established by the Sixth Framework Research Programme (FP6).
The experts recommend maintaining the new elements in the new framework programme but want improvements to be made immediately. The panel of experts believes that the costs and risks connected with the new elements are unreasonably high.
Industrial partners, particularly SMEs and small emerging companies, have been put off by the focus on long-term, large scale research. The experts believe research should be made more flexible and simplified through a range of more balanced instruments.
It is also necessary to improve transparency and the quality of assessment procedures and the negotiation of contracts. The experts recommend introducing a two-stage procedure based on precise and transparent criteria.