Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) and multiannual technical guidelines: advisory groups and technical groups

PURPOSE: to revise Decision 2008/376/EC in order to ensure a coherent framework for participation in both the “Research Fund for Coal and Steel” (RFCS) Programme and Horizon 2020 Framework Programme in sectors relating to the coal and steel industry.

NON LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2017/955 amending Decision 2008/376/EC on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme

CONTENT: the Decision aims to change the legal basis of the research programme dedicated to the coal and steel sectors (Council Decision 2008/376/EC) with a view to implementing the following objectives:

·         ensure a coherent framework for participation in both the RFCS Programme and Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, by aligning certain rules for participation under the RFCS Programme with those applicable under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme;

·         revise the rules on the competencies and on the composition of the Advisory Groups and of the Technical Groups, notably as regards the nature of the experts appointed by the Commission to ensure increased transparency and conflicts of interest, and contribute to a balanced representation of relevant areas of expertise and areas of interest as well as to an optimal gender balance;

·         ease the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the RFCS Programme and to permit the use of ‘unit costs’ to calculate eligible staff costs for owners of SMEs and other natural persons not receiving a salary;

·         update the provisions referred to in the legal basis concerning, in particular, comitology.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 27.6.2017.