Connect, no.103, November-December 1999, p.3 The European Union has now announced details of the most important R&D support programme for European manufacturing industry. £1.7bn (Euro 2.5bn) is available for major industrial projects from the Competitive and Substantial Growth (CSG) programme which is part of Framework 5 (covering 1999-2002, see November/December 1998 Connect for details).
CSG (formerly called BRITE) will cover up to 50% of costs for projects lasting typically 2-3 years and of up to ~7m (Euro 10m) total cost. At least two companies or organisations from different EU Member States must be involved in any project.
The Specific Key Actions covered are:
- Innovative products, processes and organisation of production:
efficient production, design, extended product life, intelligent manufacturing, eco-efficient processes, waste recycling management of change etc.
- Sustainable mobility and intermodality:
transport systems
- Land transport and marine technologies:
design fabrication, efficiency, environmental, vehicle/ship concepts etc.
- New perspectives in aeronautics:
design, fabrication, QC, safety, efficiency and environmental control of engines and airframes, air traffic management etc.
A brazed joint between two ceramic-matrix composite (CMC) tubes produced within a BRITE-Euram project concerned with the development of ultra high temperature heat exchanger Crosscutting Generic
Activities are also covered which include:
- Materials and technologies for production and transformation:
modelling and testing for materials application, improved properties, sustainable production, safety, efficiency and re-use - especially nanotechnology, biomaterials and optoelectronics.
- New materials and production technologies for steel:
iron and steel making, casting, rolling, joining etc.
- Measurements and testing:
technical support for standardisation, prevention of fraud, quality of measurement, certified reference materials etc.
- Support for research infrastructures:
availability and access to large scale research facilities, virtual institutes, reference databases etc.
The next submission date for proposals is: 15 March 2000 and at 6 monthly intervals thereafter. Any company wishing to discuss the suitability of a topic for submission and details of the proposal procedure and content should contact Keith Johnson or Dosten Baluch. E-mail: keith.johnson@twi.co.uk or dosten.baluch@twi.co.uk.
