European Commission issues First Call for Proposals in Sixth Framework Programme

Brussels 17 December 2003 The European Commission has launched the First Call for Proposals in the new Sixth Framework Programme for indirect RTD actions under the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration: "Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area". All proposals in this First Call are due before March 25, 2003. They include the priority thematic area of research "Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health". Grid technology has to wait for the second call.

The total budget for the thematic area of research "Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health" amounts to 513 million euro.

Topics for proposals include:

Gene expression and proteomics
Structural genomics
Comparative genomics and population genetics
Bioinformatics
Multidisciplinary functional genomics approaches to basic biological processes
Development of new diagnostics
Development and testing of new preventive and therapeutic tools, such as somatic gene and cell therapies (in particular stem cell therapies, for example those on neurological and neuromuscular disorders) and immunotherapies
Innovative research in post-genomics, which has high potential for application
Studying the brain and combating diseases of the nervous system

More information is available at http://www.cordis.lu/fp6.

Leslie Versweyveld

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