The R&D Programme Eureka! is more than just a network, it is an ambition: to become the leadng platform for R&D-performing entrepreneurs in Europe and beyond.  EUREKA R&D is industry-led, applied, close-to-market - with tangible results and visible benefits.

EUREKA Clustes, such as Celtic-Plus, are long term, strategically significant public-private partnerships.  Most of Europe's leading companies participate in EUREKA Clusters, developing generic technologies of key importance to European competitiveness.

Celtic-Plus will build upon the targets outlined by Celtic as a EUREKA cluster programme to foster European leadership in telecommunications and stimulate the generation of industrial R&D projects with the focus of the new technological challenges.

The programme acknowledges that the Internet has evolved in parallel and now focuses on people and things, transporting multimedia content and providing services.  It will continue to promote end-to-end communication solutions.  In addition, Celtic-Plus will focus on emerging societal challenges with communication technologies likely to play a leading role.  Technologies and solutions at a multidisciplinary level are required for the development of new applications that can help reduce the need for travelling, and to control and maximise use of energy.

Celtic-Plus positions itself at the heart of the upcoming digital era with its new "Smart Connected World" concept.  The programme already envisages a close cooperation and coordinational with new upcoming research fora and instruments, like the Future Internet PPP.

Companies that would like to inform themselves further on the Celtic-Plus cluster are encouraged to contact the Internationalisation Unit on 2542 3360 or log onto www.eurekanetwork.org