Research and training, Euratom programmes: participation of undertakings, research centres and universities

The Council decision laid down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in specific research and training programmes of the European Atomic Energy Community. - The decision applied to activities under the Fourth Framework Programme for RTD for the period 1994-1998; - Participation in the actions was open to legal entities established in or carrying out RTD in the Community or in a third country associated with the programme through an agreement concluded with the Community, as well as to the Joint Research Centre (JRC); - The opportunity to participate was open to entities situated in third countries, other than states associated with the programme, and to international organisations, on condition that such participation was in the interest of Community policies and that it took place in cooperation with a minimum number of participants from the Community; - As a general rule, the participation of international organisations and entities from third countries would not benefit from Community financing under the framework programme; - Community RTD activities should be carried out by at least two independent entities established in two different Member States or at least one legal entity and the JRC; - In general, activities in the field of nuclear fission safety would be selected on the basis of calls for proposals published in the OJ and, in certain cases, on the basis of limited calls for tenders; - Activities in the area of controlled thermonuclear fusion would be implemented in the framework of contracts of association or agreements: the NET (Next European Torus) and ITER agreements, the JET (Joint European Torus) Joint Undertaking, etc.; - General criteria for the selection of proposals: innovativeness; effective transnational collaboration; synergy between various categories of participants (and particularly SMEs); cost effectiveness; competence of the participants to manage transnational activities; perspectives for effective dissemination of the RTD results and their exploitation; - Small and medium-sized enterprises established in the Community or in a state associated with the programmes could: . participate in cooperative research activities enabling them to engage other legal entities to carry out RTD on their behalf; . receive support for the search for partners and the preparation of proposals; . receive financial support to carry out, on a collaborative basis, the exploratory phase of a project (feasibility study); - Finally, the decision set out the guidelines for the mechanisms to be used in assessing the costs to be reimbursed and paying the Community's contribution. Thus, the Commission could determine the proportion to be reimbursed by taking account, according to the case, of negotiated costs, rates or tariffs agreed in advance, amounts linked to quantifiable research results, or overall fixed amounts for small-scale projects. �