02/10/2006

The enhancement of the EU cooperation with Russia and the Eastern European countries in the field of novel exploratory research is the main objective of the project "Opening up the New and Emerging Science and Technology in NIS countries (NIS-NEST)", which is coordinated by the Greek National Documentation Centre (EKT) and co-funded by the 6th Framework Programme ("New and Emerging Sciences and Technology" programme).

The trans-national consortium of the project is composed of seven partners originating from Greece, France, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus and the Republic of Moldova. The partners combine different schools of thought and interdisciplinary fields, a fact that is expected to lead to innovative research cooperation in novel and visionary research fields.

The project includes a mapping exercise, which is expected to result in a searchable database containing the profiles of active researchers and research organisations/units from the Eastern European countries. The database may be utilised as a "pool" of potential partners for European research programmes. Moreover, a series of awareness events and workshops will be realised, with the support of the European Commission, tailored to meet the needs of the Eastern researchers. The events will provide on-the-spot training to local research communities in order to familiarize them with the rules and procedures of the EU Framework Programmes and, therefore, improve not only the quantity, but also the quality of their participation in the 7th Framework Programme.

Particular emphasis is given to recording and evaluating the different social and cultural conditions for research in the countries involved, as well as the diverse funding schemes for research and the structures of scientific careers in the participating Eastern European countries.

It is noted that EKT's coordinating role is part of its strategy for boosting the role of Greece in research, in the above geographic areas, through the convergence of the national initiatives and the realization of the European Research Area. To this end, EKT has already participated in eight projects for research cooperation and networking in Europe, the Mediterranean and West Balkans.

Source: EKT