Research RTD: direct action JRC, competitive approach, sientific support. Specific programme

The proposal for a decision aimed to establish a specific programme concerning the research and technological development activities to be carried out: - on the one hand, by means of direct action (Joint Research Centre - JRC), - and on the other hand, by means of activities within the framework of a competitive approach and intended for scientific and technical support to Community policies. 1) Direct actions: It was envisaged that the JCR would help implement the first action of the fourth framework programme in the fields of information and communication technologies, industrial technologies, the environment, life sciences and technologies, energy, and targeted socio-economic research. Direct actions included institutional research activities and institutional scientific and technical support activities. The amount deemed necessary totalled ECU 600 million. 2) Activities intended for scientific and technical support to Community policies within the framework of a competitive approach: These activities supported by the Commission came under the first and third actions of the fourth framework programme and involved the following issues: information technologies, measurements and testing, environment and climate, agriculture and fisheries, non-nuclear energy, scientific services for all Community policies. The amount deemed necessary totalled ECU 128 million. �