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:: Economic and Technological Intelligence (ETI) actions

As part of the special support for SME participation in European research activities, the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) will continue to fund a range of Economic and Technological Intelligence (ETI) actions. The scheme was first introduced under the FP5 to provide strategic research support to European SMEs by improving their access to scientific and technological information. Over 50 ETI projects were funded under FP5, mainly seminars to help SMEs participate in the Framework Programme.

The objective of ETI projects is not to create something new, but to use existing sources to identify SME needs and to anticipate market and technological trends via existing information networks (National Contact Points, trade associations, etc), services and intermediaries.

ETI actions have three main goals:

  • To promote innovation in SMEs.
  • To compile, analyse and disseminate information on science and technological developments, applications and markets.
  • To identify and disseminate best practice.


:: Activities supported by ETI actions

In FP6, a budget of €35 million is available for ETI projects under the ‘Research and Innovation’ work programme, which aims to create a more innovation-friendly environment throughout the EU. These activities come under the ‘Structuring the European Research Area’ specific programme which has been put in place to deal with the structural weaknesses that prevent the full exploitation of European research.

Each ETI action should focus on a specific research theme or industrial sector. In the first call for proposals, due in early 2003, projects should concentrate on the participation of SMEs and SME groupings in the priority areas of FP6 and in the Integrated Projects and Networks of Excellence.

ETI actions also aim at facilitating the creation of groups or clusters of SMEs that have similar innovation needs, promoting trans-regional co-operation between SMEs and stimulating networks of industrial incubators.

:: ETI projects in BIC Bratislava

BIC Bratislava is currently running four ETI projects in the field of nanotechnologies, new materials, ICT, food and renewable energy.