The European Commission has Published in the OJ (Official Journal of the European Union) a call for proposals under the ‘Capacities’ work programme of the 7th EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities. The European Commission (EC) wants young researchers and technicians.

The objective of ‘Capacities’ Specific Programme in this area is to contribute to the Lisbon agenda by increasing the number of young people from all backgrounds entering careers in science, research and technology; and, by raising the general level of scientific literacy to increase awareness of the societal impact of science. This Call for proposal will run for five years between 2007 until 2013 and will dispose of an annual budget of 4.78M€. The next deadline for presentation of proposals is the 24th July 2008.

The issues that are covered by the "Science in Society" Work Programme are at the core of the European Research Area strategy. The role attributed to science and scientific research in the Lisbon agenda is three-fold:

• Source of innovation and therefore engaged in a competitive race.
• Supply of robust knowledge to underpin policy-making.
• Public good to raise the overall level of socio-economic welfare and help solving global concerns such as climate change, poverty and health threats.

The Seventh Framework Programme contributes to the development of scientific research along these three paths and to increasing the societal relevance of research.

Content of Calls 2008

A more dynamic governance of the science and society relationship.
1. Better understanding of the place of science and technology (S&T) in society.
2. Developing governance to anticipate and clarify political, societal and ethical issues.
3. Strengthening and improving the European science system.
4. The evolving role of universities.
Strengthening potential, broadening horizons.
1. Gender and research.
2.  Young People and science.
Science and society communicate.
Strategic Activities.

Future directions of the Science in Society Work Programme Information on activities and areas that may be included in future work programmes:

• Activities will continue under all three Action Lines of the Work Programme.
• Activities will continue under the themes strengthening and improving the European science system. Broader engagement to anticipate and clarify political, societal and ethical issues; better understanding of the place of Science and Technology in society, and the evolving role of universities.
• It is intended to continue activities under Action Line 2 on Gender and research, and on young people and science. Actions under the third Action Line, Science and Society Communicate, will aim at promoting effective two-way communication between scientists and wider society.

There will be further development of cross thematic activities, both as regards existing themes launched in the 2007 and 2008 Work Programmes, as well as new topics (such as, for example, biotechnologies, agriculture and food (knowledge-based Bio-society)).

The official Calls for proposals was published in the OJ on the 22nd April 2008.