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NESTNew and emerging

science and

technology

EUROPEAN COMMISSION - 6th Framework programme : Anticipating Scientific and Technological Needs

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NEST objectives

Stimulate visionary long term research at the frontiers of knowledge, and at the interface between disciplines

Give researchers freedom to develop and prove their ideas without preconceptions and within the broadest possible limits

Respond rapidly to new problems and opportunities

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Overall architecture of the 6th FP

Focusing and Integrating Community research

Thematic priorities « Wider field »

Supporting policies/Anticipating S/T needs

SMEs

International co-opérationGen

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Aer

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JRC

Structuring the ERA

Strengthening the foundations of the ERA

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Instruments

Specific targeted research projects Co-ordination actions Specific support actions (conferences,

workshops, expert groups, studies)

(possibly) integrated projects

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NEST Activity Streams “research in emerging areas of knowledge

and on future technologies, in particular in transdisciplinary fields, which is highly innovative and involves correspondingly high (technical) risks.”

“research to assess rapidly new discoveries or newly-observed phenomena, which may indicate emerging risks or problems of high importance to European society, and identify appropriate responses to them.”

“specific topics within the above categories on which research will be focused during the implementation of the programme…on the basis of their urgency or potential for future societal, industrial or economic relevance….”

ADVENTURE projects

INSIGHT

projects

PATHFINDERinitiatives

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Two modes of operation “Bottom-up”:

ADVENTURE projects INSIGHT projects

Open to any research area Continuously open call for proposals

SUPPORT measures

Focused actions: PATHFINDER initiatives

Targeted calls for proposals Topics identified during the course of the programme

(complementing, not duplicating, the thematic priorities)

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Time profile of actionsRelative proportion of budget allocated to open and focused actions

Year

1 2 3 4

Open area ADVENTURE projects and INSIGHT projects

(based on bottom-up funding mode)

PATHFINDER initiatives(clusters of projects on specific

themes)

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“Bottom-up” proposals

ADVENTURE projectsProposals might (for example) aim to:

develop new theoretical insights or exploit new experimental methodologies to advance scientific understanding in trans-disciplinary areas

create new cross-disciplinary “basic technologies”

INSIGHT projects evaluate new discoveries or phenomena that could have

long term consequences (risks) for European society

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ADVENTURE projects : project requirements

create new scientific knowledge and/or technical capability with a very high impact

radical in conception and execution - high risk

high personal commitment by research partners

defined outputs in terms of knowledge and technical capabilities

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ADVENTURE projects : means of implementation

Specific targeted research projects (STRPs)

2 stage call for proposals first stage : short proposals to access

innovative, high benefit/high risk character of the research

second stage : full proposals

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ADVENTURE projects : evaluation criteria

Objectives : novel, innovative, challenging

Scientific excellence : creative approach; multidisciplinarity

Impact : very high benefits / new prospects for scientific advance

Quality of the consortium Management approach Mobilisation of resources

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INSIGHT projects : project requirements

New phenomena; high potential risk; significant scientific uncertainties

Need for better scientific understanding at European level

Challenge orthodoxy and/or address complex or inter-disciplinary questions

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INSIGHT projects : means of implementation

Specific targeted research projects (STRPs) or co-ordination actions

(Possibly specific support actions)

2 stage call for proposals

first stage : short proposals second stage : full proposals

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INSIGHT projects : evaluation criteria

Objectives : new phenomena, high potential risk, high uncertainty

Scientific excellence : unorthodox approach

Potential impact : could lead to robust strategies

Quality of the consortium Management approach Mobilisation of resources

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PATHFINDER initiatives :objectives

targeted actions, budget EUR 0.5-10 m or more (each)

focus on emerging areas of science and technology

generate “leverage” on the early development and consolidation of European research capabilities

precursor to conventional funding through future means of implementation

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PATHFINDER initiatives :means of implementation

specific (targeted) calls for proposals strategic approach (linked projects) could involve integrated projects

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PATHFINDER initiatives : selection of topics

WORK PROGRAMME

Ongoing projects

Other consultationmechanisms

High levelscientific advice

Emergencies!

Continuously open call for ideas

Selection of topics for focused actions

Open area Focused actions

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PATHFINDER initiatives: example topics?

Advanced mathematics - interfaces with leading edge sciences

Complexity, self-organization, evolutionary methodologies, system science

Neurosciences, neuroinformatics, cognitive science

Detection, imaging and manipulation at molecular and quantum level

Bionic systems

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SUPPORT ACTIONSSpecific support measures dealing with (e.g.):

promoting interaction with research community/identifying of research opportunities

analysing the conduct of highly advanced science and technology in the European context

management issues specific to high risk and interdisciplinary research, and “complex systems science”

improving methodological basis for addressing systemic and societal vulnerabilities to science-based hazards

disseminating results of the research activities

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What do we hope to achieve?

New scientific understanding, new theoretical and experimental principles in emerging fields;

Exploitable “basic technologies” Alert and evaluation of possible scientific

problems and risks New “communities of knowledge” across Europe,

to enable quick take-off and exploitation of emerging science and technology

New visions of how science and technology will contribute to economy and society in the long term

Intelligent signaling of key emerging research areas

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TimingDec. 2002 FP 6 Work Programme

Dec.-Jan. Consultation on ADVENTUREINSIGHTPATHFINDER

20 Feb. 2003 NEST calls published- ADVENTURE : 2-step- INSIGHT : 2-step- SUPPORT : 1-step (revise in 2004)

14 May, 22 October Cut-off dates for short & full proposals