The objective of the project is to specify, develop and experiment a tool to help, promote and support the participation of SMEs in European surface transport R&D projects. The project will act as a catalyst for bringing closer SMEs with the industrial and scientific actors of the surface transport R&D and providing the community with comprehensive mapping of SMEs expertise and R&D.

In the short term the project will target the 6th Framework Programme for Research and technological development of the European Commission. It will also put in place a methodology to attract and map the whole of the supply chain in surface transport research activities, all modes combined to ensure cross fertilisation of expertise. The information in the database will have multiple use for either Framework Programme research or general EU R&D research.

Finally in the longer term, the project will help SMEs to prepare for the 7th Framework programme and a business plan will be drawn up for the service to be continued once the contract with the European commission comes to a term.

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