The forthcoming

The forthcoming EU 6th Framework Programme contains several new major elements compared to previous programmes. A major new feature of FP6 is the aim to bring together a critical mass of resources and skills. New means of participating, with Networks of Excellence and Integrated projects will help to pool resources and increase focus on a reduced number of priority areas. This should help to create the European research area (ERA), which is an integral part of FP6. Universities, companies and research centres have responded to a call for Expressions of Interest and submitted more than 15,000 research ideas, including at least 4 on heat pumps. In an effort to promote partnering and collaboration, the commission will publish all expressions of interest over the summer on their web site http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/eoi-instruments/ home.html. An analysis of ideas received will be made public in September 2002 and will be used as input for drafting the detailed work programmes, which form the basis for the calls for proposals to be published at the end of 2002.