The objective of the project is to develop a tool to help and promote, in the area of surface transport industry, the participation of high tech SMEs as technology providers to traditional research projects (Integrated Projects, STREPS), and as technology recipient in co-operative research projects.

In order to achieve this, a tool will be developed to bring together SMEs with the R&D actors in the field of sustainable surface transport in order to :

• Improve awareness of the existing and potential supply chain, mapping capabilities, gaps and weaknesses.
• For large manufacturers to identify R&D needs that can be exploited by the SME supply chain
• For SMEs to propose R&D solutions.
• To encourage/assist SME participation in FP6 projects initiated and/or co-ordinated by the larger companies
• To map SME excellence and research needs across Europe

Besides this "information tool" based on a web site hosting databases, a set of "accompanying measures and services" will be implemented, such as :

• National workshops, organised to raise awareness of FP6 within the SMEs community and feed the database with more precise information on : SMEs domains of expertise, products, research needs, potential research ideas. These workshops will be organised nationally either as stand alone workshops or as part of trade/industry events which would have the added benefit of bringing under one roof SMEs with potential clients. The organisation of the workshops will take into account the local realities to ensure it has the bigger impact.
  Three rounds will be organised :
  • The first round will be organised only in the countries of the project partners. It will be launched before the call 3A, with he view to help SMEs to be involved in this call and to test the process.
  • The second round will be linked with call 3B, and may be a CRAFT call, if the CRAFT unit will modify its initial call schedule (Which is envisaged, by DG RTD )
  • The third round will be linked with the call 4A, and probably the last CRAFT call (if the initial CRAFT call schedule is maintained)
• Focused SME coaching and mentoring. SMEs that have expressed a keen interest (through the Web site) and are clearly motivated to set up or participate in a project (IP, STREP, CRAFT) will be offered coaching on a defined number of sessions.

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