91997E3953

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3953/97 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Applications for support under regional and research programmes

In my question of 17 September 1997 to the Commission (E-2961/97) ((OJ C 134, 30.4.1998, p. 44. )) I called for a reduction in bureaucracy in the EU's research policy and regional policy. Having received the Commission's reply, I should like to ask a further question.

What are the most common reasons for projects being rejected?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (27 January 1998)

The principal criteria against which project proposals are evaluated in the research and technological development (RDT) programmes of the Community are scientific and technical excellence, innovativeness, transnational collaboration (European added value), cost effectiveness, the competence of the proposers and perspectives for disseminating and exploiting results. In addition, each specific programme sets out in its work programme the criteria essential for achieving its particular objectives. Because of limitations on available funding and significant competition for such funds, failure to meet the required standard for any of these criteria (which are all made public) will generally result in a proposal being rejected. The commonest reasons for failure of proposals in most programmes are insufficient scientific and technical quality innovativeness.

Information on the most common reasons for rejecting RDT projects within structural funds programmes would need to be ascertained from the Member States themselves since they apply their own specific procedures to the selection of projects in the context of monitoring committees. Project selection criteria will similarly vary in the light of the particular priorities of the programme concerned.