CRAFT and Collective Research

The European Commission's 6:th Framework Programme (FP6) contains two specific schemes for SMEs: Co-operative Research (CRAFT) and Collective Research. These will address primarily the large community of SMEs with the capacity to innovate but with limited research capability. Any scientific or technological research topic or field covered by Article 163 of the Treaty, in which the SMEs concerned have specific identifiable needs can be addressed by these schemes. Co-operative Research (CRAFT) is a scheme whereby a number of SMEs from different countries assign a significant part of the required scientific and technological research to ‘RTD performers’, for example, universities or research centres. Projects are relatively short-term: they must last a minimum of one year and a maximum of two. Other enterprises and end-users will be able to participate in Co-operative Research Projects, provided they do not assume a dominant role. The intellectual property rights of the results belong exclusively to the SME participants, but the other enterprises and end-users involved will also benefit from the exploitation of the results. To know more, access CRAFT on SME-TechWeb on Cordis Collective Research is a form of research undertaken by RTD performers on behalf of Industrial Associations/Groupings in order to expand the knowledge base of large communities of SMEs and to improve their general standard of competitiveness. They will be substantial Europe-wide projects lasting between two to three years. An ‘SME core group’ should contribute to the project, from the definition phase to the dissemination of the final results. The intellectual property rights belong exclusively to the Industrial Associations/Groupings, while the SME core group will benefit from the exploitation of the results. Collective Research proposals will be selected in two stages: stage one for outline proposals and stage two for full proposals. To know more, access the Collective Research on SME-TechWeb on Cordis And contact us! We can assist you to start a project What is the definition of an SME? An SME is an enterprise which: has less than 250 employees an annual turnover not exceeding 40 million euro, or an annual balance-sheet total not exceeding 27 million euro is not owned by a larger company of more than 25% (with the exception of e.g. venture capitalists and investment companies) ------------- is not a research centre, research institute, contract research organisation or consultant, is registered and operating in one of the Member States or in a State associated to the 6th Framework Programme.