Brussels, 17/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - During the examination of the report by Belgian socialist Philippe Busquin on rules for participating in the 7th R&D programme, the European Parliament's industry committee proved keen to re-introduce criteria for excellence and European added value into the rules for evaluation research policies (EUROPE 9232). The report also takes into account the fears provoked in the academic community of abandoning the system of additional costs that allow indirect costs to be assessed on an estimated basis. In its proposal, the European Commission envisaged a quite brutal transition to real costs. The situation in the universities where premises, part of the material and even the personnel are used in different research activities means that they are often unsuited to the new system. The amendment adopted by the industry committee introduces a transition mechanism towards compatibility per project. Another amendment by the former Commissioner aims to guarantee the rapid paying out of loans granted by the EIB for research activities.