EU-funded research projects are undertaken largely in the context of multi-annual research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) framework programmes. The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), launched in March 2007 with a budget of 50.5 billion euros, is the EU’s chief instrument for funding research over the period 2007– 2013. Detailed information on the programme is available from its website at http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7, and from the EU research portal at http://ec.europa.eu/research/.
Participation in FP7 is open to a wide range of organizations and individuals, including:
n research groups at universities or research institutes; n companies intending to innovate;
n small or medium-sized enterprises; n SME associations or groupings;
n public or governmental administrations (local, regional or national); n early-stage researchers (postgraduate students);
n experienced researchers;
n institutions running research infrastructures of transnational interest;
n organizations and researchers from third countries; n international organizations;
n civil society organizations.
This chapter can offer only a broad outline of FP7. Its essential features may be summarized as follows:
n The principal component of FP7 is its Cooperation programme, which has ten themed sub-programmes, or thematic areas, ‘corre- sponding to major fields in the progress of knowledge and tech- nology, where research must be supported and strengthened to address European social, economic, environmental and industrial challenges’; their focus is on research that meets the needs of European industry, through the work of Technology Platforms and the new Joint Technology Initiatives. The ten thematic areas are: – health – with particular emphasis on the translation of basic
discoveries in clinical applications and the development of sustainable and efficient healthcare systems;
– food, agriculture and fisheries and biotechnology – aimed at building a European ‘knowledge based bio-economy’ to answer the growing demand for safer and healthier food as well as the sustainable use and production of renewable bio-resources; – information and communication technologies – to enhance the
different ICT technology pillars (nanoelectronics, communi- cation networks, mixed realities etc) and help to integrate technologies;
– nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new
production technologies – to transform European industry from a resource-intensive to a knowledge-intensive industry by generating breakthrough knowledge for new applications at the crossroads of different technologies and disciplines;
– energy – focusing on renewables and low CO2 emitting power generation;
– environment – including climate change;
– transport (including aeronautics) – supporting the develop- ment of integrated, ‘greener ’ and ‘smarter ’ pan-European transport systems;
– socioeconomic sciences and humanities – intended to generate an in-depth, shared understanding of the complex and inter- related socio-economic challenges faced by Europe;
– security – through projects ranging from European security research networks and crisis management to security economics;
– space – working through the European Space Agency.
n The Ideas programme, implemented through the European Research Council (http://erc.europa.eu) supports ‘frontier research’ solely on the basis of scientific excellence. Research may be carried out in any area of science or technology, including engineering, socioeconomic sciences and the humanities. In contrast with the Cooperation programme, there is no obligation for cross-border partnerships.
n The People programme provides support for researcher mobility and career development, both for researchers inside the European Union and internationally. It is implemented through a set of Marie Curie actions, providing fellowships and other measures to help researchers build their skills and competencies throughout their careers.
n The Capacities programme is intended to strengthen European research capacities in the development of a knowledge-based economy.
n Proposals may be submitted only in response to a call for proposals published in the EU Official Journal. The recommended method of submission is via the EC’s internet-based Electronic Proposal Submission System (EPSS), which works through a standard web browser. A 30-page user guide to the EPSS is downloadable from the FP7 website.
n Each call for proposals is accompanied by a specific information package containing documents, a Guide for Proposers and forms needed in the preparation of a proposal.
n As in previous framework programmes, the costs of a project will be shared between the EU and the research participants, but the extent of EU funding depends on the specific work programme and the type of research activity.
n To encourage SMEs to take part in research projects, the programme includes specific SME funding schemes, while the EU contribution for industry participants will increase to 70 per cent for projects involving SMEs.
n Constructing a strong and cohesive partnership of complementary organizations is one of the keys to success in winning FP7 funding as in other areas of bidding (Chapter 10). Research partners are expected to manage their own contractual relationships through a consortium agreement.
n There is a preference for partnerships that integrate research institutions and industry since these are thought likely to facilitate the implementation of research findings. Proposals have to contain a ‘plan for use and dissemination’ to show how the knowledge generated will be taken through to practical application.
n In developing their proposals, researchers need to show an awareness of ethical and gender issues and the potential effects of scientific and technological research on society.
n FP7 proposals have a two-part structure. Part A is a set of admini- strative forms with basic information on the proposal and the participants, which will be encoded in a database for computer processing. Part B is a text file describing the research project and the consortium.
n The process of evaluating FP7 proposals is outlined in Chapter 22. At the time of writing (July 2008) new FP7 developments included the addition of an improved project search function to the FP7 website, and a system streamlining the submission of corporate data about research organizations through a Unique Registration Facility and Participant Identification Code which research participants can use in all their proposals, submissions and negotiations.