Logo of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
symbolic picture: "magazines"

Metrological Research in a joint European cooperation

The starting signal has been given for a joint research programme of the national metrology institutes in Europe. The European Commission is initially funding 21 joint research projects with durations of between three and four years. Of the total volume amounting to 64 million Euros for all research projects, the EU Commission is covering approximately one third. The remaining funds are carried by the national research partners from a total of 20 European states. The PTB is participating in a total of 20 of the 21 research projects and is assuming the role of coordinator in seven of these projects. These 21 projects form the "vanguard" for a large-scale European metrological research programme (European Metrology Research Programme, EMRP) which is to be presented yet this year by the European Commission as a measure within the scope of Article 169 of the EC Treaty. The research volume estimated for this EMRP amounts to approximately 400 million Euros and 50 % would – in the case of success – be financed from EU funds. A decision, which in the end will be made by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, is expected in the coming year.