The European Union launched over 6200 new scientific research projects involving 28000 partners during 1998 according to the 5th Annual Report on Community research. The projects involved more than 90 000 collaborative links between industry and universities says the report. During the EU's fourth framework programme for research, which ran from 1994 to 1998, the average research project cost the EU about Euro 0.7 million - about half the total cost - and had an average of six partners from three different countries. The full report is available on the Web.
The report also highlights the fact that 27% of the members of the panels that advise the EU on research are women. It does not, however, mention last year’s report on mismanagement and fraud in the EU’s research programmes. The report was highly critical of Edith Cresson, the commissioner for research, and led to the resignation of all 20 commissioners and the EU president, Jacques Santer.
The fifth framework programme, which was launched earlier this year, has a total budget of Euro 14.96 billion and will cover four broad themes: quality of life and management of living systems; the user-friendly information society; competitive and sustainable growth; and energy, environment and sustainable development. Unlike its predecessor, the fifth framework will also encourage collaborations with countries that are applying for membership of the EU.
