What is FP7?
The Framework Programme is the European Commission's main instrument for funding collaborative research and technological development. FP7 will take over from the current programme (FP6) in January 2007 and will run for 7 years with over 50 billion devoted to individuals and organisations to undertake collaborative R& D.
While FP7 participants can in principle be based anywhere, there are different categories of country which may have varying eligibility for different work programmes and specific actions.
Thematic areas
The European Community part of FP7 is organised in four programmes corresponding to four basic components of European research:
Cooperation
Support will be given to the whole range of research activities carried out in trans-national cooperation, from collaborative projects and networks to the coordination of national research programmes. International cooperation between the EU and third countries is an integral part of this action.
This action is industry-driven and organised in four sub-programmes:
- Collaborative research will constitute the bulk and the core of EU research funding
- Joint Technology Initiatives will mainly be created on the basis of the work undertaken by the European Technology Platforms
- Coordination of non-Community research programmes
- International Cooperation
Ideas
This programme will enhance the dynamism, creativity and excellence of European research at the frontier of knowledge in all scientific and technological fields, including engineering, socio-economic sciences and the humanities. This action will be overseen by a European Research Council
People
Quantitative and qualitative strengthening of human resources in research and technology in Europe by putting into place a coherent set of Marie Curie actions
Capacities
The objective of this action is to support research infrastructures, research for the benefit of SMEs and the research potential of European regions (Regions of Knowledge) as well as to stimulate the realisation of the full research potential (Convergence Regions) of the enlarged Union and build an effective and democratic European Knowledge society.
Each of these programmes will be the subject of a 'Specific programme. In addition, there will be a 'Specific programme' for the Joint Research Centre (non-nuclear activities) and one for Euratom nuclear research and training activites.
Which themes have been identified for FP7?
FP7 presents strong elements of continuity with its predecessor, mainly as regards the themes which are covered in the Cooperation programme. The themes identified for this programme correspond to major fields in the progress of knowledge and technology, where research must be supported and strengthened to address European social, economic, environmental and industrial challenges.
The overarching aim is to contribute to sustainable development.
The ten high level themes proposed for EU action are the following:
- Health
- Food, agriculture and biotechnology
- Information and communication technologies. See also FP7 on IST
- Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies
- Energy
- Environment (including climate change)
- Transport (including aeronautics)
- Socio-economic sciences and the humanities
- Security
- Space (according to the Council's agreement of July 2006, the area of 'security and space' would be split into two separate themes)
In addition, two themes are covered by the Euratom Framework Programme:
- Fusion energy research
- Nuclear fission and radiation protection
For further information please see:
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Link to European Website Cordis:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home.html