From the Editor: Fifth Framework Program of the European UnionThe main story of this issue is biomedical engineering in the European Union research programs. Biomedical engineering has a long history in these programs starting already about 20 years ago, in 1978. Since the start, its main goal has been to network biomedical engineering centres in Europe. Originally this was restricted to only the EU member countries. Gradually it has been extended to more countries as the membership in the EU has grown and as agreements and arrangements to include non-EU countries have been created. This issue comes out around the time that EU launches the first calls for proposals on the Fifth Framework Program. Whereas in the past, biomedical engineering has had its own slot where project proposals have been submitted, the situation is now different. There is no specific program, action line or task for biomedical engineering. Instead biomedical engineering has been embedded into action lines and tasks. This means that successful proposers must orient their projects according to the tasks and justify the role of biomedical engineering in that context. This change is in line with the thinking that research must be problem-oriented and that the results must be innovative and have good potential for exploitation both commercially, and in clinical practice. The other side of this is how to write proposals that are accepted and how to manage such projects so that its goals are met and requirements of the European Commission as the funding organisation are satisfied. From experience of co-ordinating two projects in the BIOMED-programs and participation into more than 20 projects in other EU funded programs I can say that you learn continuously. This is partly due to the fact that the rules imposed by the European Commission are not constant and above all are not uniform across the different programs. In the shared cost approach target dates and deadlines need to be met. Often words and agreements do not have the same meaning to all. Although this may be a problem it is also one of the positive things in international collaboration. An enjoyable aspect is that you learn a lot of the cultures. The good side, for me, is that we are all different. I hope biomedical engineers in Europe will take the opportunity to visit the European Commission websites (e.g. http://www.cordis.lu) and read (download) the relevant programs. Information is also available nationally through the contact points to the Fifth Framework Program. IFMBE strategyIn the last issue a draft for IFMBE strategy was published. As indicated then the Administrative Council will work on the strategy when it meets in September 1999. Until that time you are all invited to comment on the draft and to suggest issues which may be included and to volunteer to participate in its implementation. In closing, please inform me on all news relating to biomedical engineering in your environment. We can only publish material that has been submitted. And I cannot request material unless I know whom to contact. Editor | ||