TARGET ("Top Amplifier Research Groups in a European Team") is a Network of Excellence in the 6th Framework Programme of the EC. It aims at integrating excellent, but scattered research groups in the field of microwave amplifier research which have only marginally co-operated in the past. TARGET brings together 49 top amplifier research groups in Europe. This integration will be pursued to achieve the following goals:

1. Create a co-operative network.
2. Establish a virtual centre of excellence.
3. Stimulate and co-ordinate world-class research.

Integration of top research groups within a co-operative network will strengthen European research in the field of microwave amplifier design and semiconductor devices, will advance knowledge in this field, and will increase co-operation and productivity as well as timeliness of research. Accordingly, TARGET emphasizes integration by creating common resources and by exploiting the research interests of the network participants as a means for integration.

TARGET aims at durable integration and co-ordination of expertise and of expensive equipment to form a virtual centre of excellence. TARGET shall finally be perceived as the top address for microwave device characterisation and modelling, for power amplifier design and linearization, and for microwave transmitter architecture.

By stimulating and co-ordinating world-class research TARGET aims at pushing semiconductor devices and circuits towards higher frequencies and higher efficiency, linearity, and output power. Special knowledge will be disseminated at conference tutorials and by organising summer schools for doctoral students and young scientists.