European IT companies will be able to apply for grants from a
budget of c3.6bn (£2.3bn), earmarked for research from 2002-2006 if
European Commission proposals for a framework research programme
are agreed by EU ministers and the European Parliament.
Keith NuthallBrussels' research commissioner Philippe Busquin has also
announced that he wants the programme to be funded with c2bn for
nano-technologies and intelligent materials and c2.3bn for the
anticipation of the EU's scientific and technological needs.
Companies must be part of a consortium involving partners from
other EU member states, which can be other companies or academic
research teams. They will be allowed to patent and exploit any
discoveries or inventions commercially that result from funded
studies.
The proposals are likely to be heavily scrutinised before a
decision is taken later this year.
