FP5 Participation by Non-EU Countries in the Fifth Framework Programme

Website: www.cordis.lu/fp5/src/3rdcountries.htm




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Background Information

Opportunities for participation in proposal consortia

In planning a RTD proposal for submission, researchers should be aware that FP5 is also open to participation by entities from non-EU countries and to international organisations. The opportunities falls into three categories (see table for lists of countries) and in all cases, the third country/international organisation participant must be included as a participant in the original proposal submitted :

• Countries associated to FP5: For each of these countries, institutions may participate and be funded, with similar rights and responsibilities to EU Member State participants, once the Association Agreements come into force.
• Project by project participation: This participation will be on a self-financing basis and this option is open to all non-associated European countries, to Mediterranean partner countries, to countries with which the EU has an S&T Agreement, and to international organisations, as long as the participation is in conformity with the interest of the Community.
• All other countries: For countries not covered by the above categories, participation in FP-5 projects on a self-financing basis will be possible if the participation is in conformity with the interest of the Community and is of substantial added value for implementing all or part of the specific programme. The interest of the Community and the substantial added value must be clearly indicated in the proposal.

The conformity with the interests of the Community will be assessed with particular regard to the contribution to one or more of the following (as laid down in Council Decision):

• the needs of other Community policies in support of which the RTD actions are carried out; providing appropriate incentives for maintaining and creating jobs in the Community
• promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life in the Community
• strengthening the international competitiveness of Community industry
• the existence of S&T co-operation agreements between the Community and third countries or international organisations.

Substantial added value may refer for example to cases where the third country participant is a generally recognised, top-level specialist in the field of the proposal or has access to unique resources which are of great importance to the project but which are not available in Europe, or where third country participant offers the prospect of opening new markets for the European participants. In exceptional cases, Community financing for the third country participant or international organisation may be provided by the programme if it is essential for achieving the objectives of the project, i.e. if the contribution of the participant cannot be provided by any other means and the project cannot be carried out without that participant. Additional rules are foreseen in the Specific Programme "Energy, environment and sustainable development" which provide for financial support to those entities where their participation is beneficial and offers added value for achieving the objectives of the Programme.

The range of countries that can participate in FP5 has been detailed in a draft document (24/2/99), see note 1.

ASSOCIATED STATES May participate with COMMUNITY FUNDING once the Association Agreement is in force. See note 2.	CANDIDATES FOR EU MEMBERSHIP	BULGARIA, REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, ESTONIA, HUNGARY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, POLAND, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, association agreements are expected to enter into force in 1999.
	EFTA-EEA	ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN, NORWAY,
	Others	ISRAEL: Conclusion of agreement close
		SWITZERLAND: Negotiations finalised
PROJECT by PROJECT PARTICIPATION in conformity with the interests of the Community WITHOUT COMMUNITY FUNDING (exceptionally with Community financing if financing is duly justified as being essential for achieving objectives of the project)	Other European	ALBANIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA (as well as candidate States, EEA-EFTA and Switzerland before Association Agreements are in force.). MALTA and TURKEY are also shown under Mediterranean Partnership. MICROSTATES and TERRITORIES in EUROPE (see note 3) All above countries may participate project by project on a self financing basis.
	European NIS	ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, BELARUS, GEORGIA, MOLDOVA, RUSSIA, UKRAINE. All above countries may participate project by project on a self financing basis.
	Mediterranean Partnership	ALGERIA, CYPRUS (see note 4), EGYPT, ISRAEL (see note 4), JORDAN, LEBANON, MALTA, MOROCCO, PALESTINE AUTHORITY, SYRIA, TUNISIA, TURKEY. All above countries may participate project by project on a self financing basis. All above countries may participate project by project on a self financing basis.
	Countries with Cooperation Agreements	SOUTH AFRICA: Agreement in force (FP5) USA: Agreement in force (FP5) CANADA, CHINA: Agreements signed (first activity FP5) AUSTRALIA, ARGENTINA, RUSSIA: Negotiations finalised (first activity FP5) The above countries may participate project by project on a self-financing basis in the fields covered by the agreement once the agreement is in force (Russia as European NIS as above, the others as "any country".
	Any other country	May participate project by project on a self-financing basis only if its participation is also of substantial added value for implementing all or part of the specific programme in accordance with the objectives of the programme
	International Organisations	May participate project by project on a self-financing basis

Notes:

1. Not applicable for the Specific Programme Confirming the International role of Community research and the EURATOM Framework Programme
2. Proposals for projects comprising partners from these states will be treated, in the evaluation process, as if these states were already associated (eligibility, evaluation of management and resources aspects, contribution to Community policy, . . . ). However, when taking its selection decision on any such project, the Commission shall only take into account those association agreements that will be in force at that time. This also applies to fellowships. For latest information on entry into force of these agreements, please consult the website (see above).
3. Andonra, Monaco, Sa Manno, Vatican City State (Holy See), Faeroe Islands (DK), Channel Islands (GB), Isle of Man (GB), Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (NO).
4. In the case of a country becoming associated to FPS, that status takes precedence over any other.