Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2005)444 - Specific Programme to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre implementing the 7th Framework Programme (2007-2011) of Euratom (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2005)444 - Specific Programme to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre implementing the 7th Framework ... |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2005)444  |
| date | 21-09-2005 |
The Commission adopted its proposal i for the 7th Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) on 6 April 2005. The Commission indicated that the activities were to be organised in two Specific Programmes corresponding to “indirect” actions on fusion energy research and nuclear fission and radiation protection and the “direct” research activities of the Joint Research Centre in the field of nuclear energy, and these are the subject of the present proposals. The Commission will be presenting proposals for the associated “Rules for Participation and Dissemination”.
The policy context and objectives are those set out in the Communication “Building the ERA of knowledge for growth”[2].
The Specific Programmes of the 7th Euratom Framework Programme are designed to address, in combination with the necessary national and industrial efforts, the major issues and challenges in this field of research in Europe.
Financial support at a European level offers opportunities to increase the excellence and effectiveness of research in a way that cannot be achieved at national level. The Specific Programmes of the 7th Euratom Framework Programme represent further consolidation of the European Research Area in this sector, achieving critical mass and structures in new areas of research and by new means, and further supporting the free movement of ideas, knowledge and researchers.
Throughout the implementation of the Specific Programmes, the potential for European level actions to strengthen excellence in research will be utilised to the maximum. This implies identifying and supporting existing excellence in this field wherever it exists across the European Union as well as creating capacities for future research excellence.
Where possible, the impact of the Specific Programmes will be enhanced through complementarities with other Community programmes, such as the Structural Funds. This is in conformity with the approach to be followed in the EC Capacities Specific Programme, since an important aspect of the Euratom Specific Programme for indirect actions will also be the support for research infrastructures, though in this case in the specific area of nuclear science and technology.
Contents
- 2. PRIOR CONSULTATION
- 3. LEGAL ASPECTS
- 4. BUDGETARY IMPLEMENTATION
- 5. A COHERENT AND FLEXIBLE IMPLEMENTATION
- 5.1. Adapting to new needs and opportunities
- 5.2. Cross-cutting issues
- 6. SIMPLIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT METHODS
- 7. CONTENT OF THE SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES
- 7.1. Nuclear research and training activities (indirect actions)
- 7.2. JRC (direct actions)
- 8. BUILDING THE ERA OF KNOWLEDGE FOR GROWTH
In the preparation of current proposals, as for the Framework Programme, the Commission has taken into account the views expressed by the other EU institutions and the Member States, as well as by many stakeholders in a broad consultation, including the scientific community and industry. In addition, the Specific Programme proposals draw from the in-depth impact assessment undertaken for the 7th Framework Programme proposal i and the outcome of the five year assessment of the Framework Programme i.
The present Specific Programme proposals cover the same period as the Framework Programme, 2007-2011, which in turn is based on Article 7 of the Euratom Treaty. In accordance with this Article, second paragraph, research programmes are drawn up for a period of not more than five years. Hence, the present proposals are not for the same duration as the EC Specific Programmes.
The Commission proposes that, unless extenuating circumstances arise, these Specific Programmes will be renewed for the period 2012-2013, in accordance with the foreseen legislative procedure.
The “legislative financial statement” attached to this Decision sets out the budgetary implications and the human and administrative resources, and also provides indicative figures for the period 2012-2013.
The Commission intends to set up an executive agency which will be entrusted with certain tasks required to implement the specific programme of indirect actions i.
It is vital that the implementation of the Specific Programmes is sufficiently flexible to enable them to remain at the forefront of scientific and technological developments in the nuclear field in general and to respond to emerging industrial, policy or societal needs. For the indirect actions, this will be achieved primarily through the work programmes which will be updated on an annual basis with the assistance of the committees of Member State representatives and identify the topics for calls for proposals to be launched. Revisions may be made more rapidly in case of new priorities requiring an urgent response, in particular arising from unforeseen policy needs.
This multi-annual programming will benefit from a wide range of inputs to ensure that the activities supported maintain direct relevance to the evolving research needs of industry and EU policies in the nuclear field. The external advisory group for energy established under the EC Cooperation Specific Programme, with effective multi-disciplinary membership and a balance of academic and industrial views, will provide one of these inputs.
Additional external inputs may also be forthcoming from the technology platforms that it is envisaged could be established in certain thematic domains of the Specific Programmes in the near future.
Other forums and groups, such as European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), may provide the Commission with timely advice on opportunities and priorities with relevance to the Euratom research sector.
Overall coherence in the implementation of the 7th Euratom Framework Programme will be ensured by the Commission. The work programmes across the Specific Programmes will be revised in a coordinated way to allow cross cutting issues to be fully taken into account.
The committees of Member State representatives also have an important responsibility in assisting the Commission in the effective coherence and coordination of implementation across and within Specific Programmes. This implies a strong level of coordination within Member States between representatives of different committee configurations.
Particular attention will be paid to those actions cutting across Euratom and EC Specific Programmes, for example the use of advanced reactors in the production of hydrogen, or the development of advanced materials. Where feasible in view of the difficulties posed by the existence of two Framework Programmes coming under separate Treaties, joint calls may be used building on the experience gained in the 6th Framework Programme.
The following issues are of particular importance, and specific arrangements for a coordinated approach are foreseen:
- International cooperation : This is an important aspect of the Euratom programme and a strategic approach will be taken to promote actions in this respect and to address specific issues where there is a mutual interest and benefit.
- Research infrastructures : There needs to be close collaboration with the EC Capacities programme to ensure support for key nuclear research infrastructures with more general research applications.
- Link with Community policy : Arrangements for effective coordination within the Commission services will be put in place, in particular to ensure that activities continue to meet the needs of developments in EU policies. For this purpose, the multi-annual programming may draw on the help of user groups of different Commission services associated with the policies concerned.
- Dissemination and knowledge transfer : The need to foster the uptake of research results is a strong feature across the Specific Programmes, with a particular emphasis on transferring knowledge between countries, across disciplines and from academia to industry, including through the mobility of researchers.
- Science in society : This activity in the EC Capacities programme also has parallels in activities in the nuclear sector, and there is a clear potential for mutually beneficial cross-fertilisation in areas such as governance and stakeholder issues, especially those associated with the local acceptance of controversial facilities.
A significant simplification will be achieved in the implementation of the 7th Framework Programme, following the ideas presented in the Commission Working Document of 6 April 2005 and the extensive dialogue on the basis of this document. Many of the proposed measures are to be presented in the Rules for Participation and Dissemination, notably to reduce “red tape” significantly and simplify the funding schemes and reporting requirements.
Within the fission part of the Specific Programme for indirect actions, improvements will be proposed that are comparable with those foreseen for actions in the collaborative part of the EC programme.
This Specific Programme covers the following two thematic priorities:
(i) Fusion energy research: to develop the knowledge base for, and to realise ITER as the major step towards, the creation of prototype reactors for power stations that are safe, sustainable, environmentally responsible and economically viable. This thematic priority includes the following areas of activity:
- The realisation of ITER
- R&D in preparation of ITER operation
- Technology activities in preparation of DEMO
- R&D activities for the longer term
- Human resources, education and training
- Infrastructures
- Responding to emerging and unforeseen policy needs.
(ii) Nuclear fission and radiation protection: to promote the safe use and exploitation of nuclear fission and other uses of radiation in industry and medicine. This thematic priority includes the following areas of activity:
- Management of radioactive waste
- Reactor systems
- Radiation protection
- Support for and access to research infrastructures
- Human resources and training including mobility.
In general, this Specific Programme represents strong elements of continuity with previous framework programmes building on the demonstrated added value of European support of this type. There are, in addition, important novelties in this Specific Programme which require specific consideration for the implementation:
- A strengthened approach to the coordinating of national research programmes in the field of nuclear fission and radiation protection.
- The joint implementation of ITER in an international framework, the establishment of a Euratom Joint Undertaking for ITER, and a further strengthening of the co-ordination of the integrated European fusion energy research activities.
- A more targeted approach to international cooperation within each theme is foreseen with specific cooperation actions to be identified in the work programmes in line with the strategic approach for international cooperation foreseen.
- A component to allow a flexible response to emerging needs and unforeseen policy needs will be supported under each of the themes and the implementation will build on the experience of the Scientific Support for Policy and New and Emerging Science and Technology schemes introduced in the 6th Framework Programme, as well as the Future and Emerging Technology scheme in the ICT area.
During the lifetime of this Specific Programme, and the foreseen extension to 2013, opportunities for the creation of effective Joint Undertakings may arise, for example in the field of radioactive waste management i. The Commission services will submit proposals for the creation of such undertakings to Council at the appropriate time.
The JRC will implement its mission in taking into account the internal evolution within Commission services, as well as the European and worldwide context in the nuclear field.
To this end, the strengthening of JRC relations with Member States research organisations will be systematically sought.
In connection with the Lisbon agenda and upon request of most of JRC stakeholders, the JRC will make a significant effort on training and knowledge management. The JRC will pursue its R&D activities in areas linked to waste management and environmental impact.
In nuclear safety, the most important changes are an answer to the Community policy developments, new needs expressed by Commission services and to the Community involvement in international initiatives, such as Generation IV.
The JRC is involved in nuclear safety for 30 years, but the international context has significantly changed these very last years and the non-proliferation dimension is becoming more important. However, internal evolution of Commission Services also relies on JRC continuous support in more traditional areas.
Achieving the necessary rapid progress towards a knowledge economy and society requires a new ambition and effectiveness in European research. All actors across the European Union – national governments, research establishments, industry – have their role.
All Specific Programmes implementing the 7th Framework Programmes (EC and Euratom) are designed to maximise the leverage and impact of European-level research spending within the available budget. Key features are: the focus on the thematic priorities in the corresponding Specific Programmes with activities and means of implementation designed to meet these objectives; a strong element of continuity; a consistent focus on supporting existing excellence and creating the capacity for tomorrow’s research excellence; a streamlined and simplified management to ensure user friendliness and cost effectiveness; and an inbuilt flexibility such that the Framework Programme can respond to new needs and opportunities.