Strasbourg. Graca Carvalho, a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy European Parliament was confirmed by the European People's Party (EPP), the largest political group in the EP, as Rapporteur for the simplification of the Implementation of Programmes for Research.
Promoting research and innovation, making it easier to apply for EU grants and their management, are the objectives of this report.
This report is especially important in the coming months because it will redefine the rules of participation not only in the Research Framework Programme (52 billion euros), but in all other programs of Science and Innovation. The goal is to facilitate participation and raise implemenation rates. Presently the rules are very complex. This report aims to lay down the principles for the participation in current and future programs after 2013.
She said: "This report comes at the right time and assumes a special relevance in this present juncture given the economic crisis. It is time to develop mechanisms for job creation to give new impetus to the economy."
Graca Carvalho also believes that this report "may have a role in Europe 2020 encouraging the development of researchers who are at once more competent, better prepared and motivated by the idea of taking part in the programmes. The report also will make the rules and processes more simple, clear and transparent in order to facilitate participation "
During this period Grace Chapman intends to meet and hear the various partners, research centres and companies in order to discuss the major rules of participation in European Programs for Science and Innovation.
Maria da Graca Carvalho is also the Budgets Committee's Standing Rapporteur of the EPP for all matters related to science and innovation that are discussed in the Budget Committee of the EP.
The European Commission last month unveiled a plan to simplify the procedures for participation in research projects funded by the EU. The first part of the Commission strategy would allow for improvements under the current legal and regulatory framework. The second part requires the amendment of financial rules to allow for more radical simplification, while retaining overall control. The third kind of expected changes will be considered for implementation under future Framework Programmes for Research.