FP7 is the European Community Framework Programme for Research, Technology, Development and Demonstration covering almost all scientific disciplines. It is a collection of actions at EU level to fund and promote research.
The main objective of FP7 is to support the Lisbon strategy, in directing Europe towards becoming the one of the most competitive, knowledge-based economies in the world. In order to ensure this objective and help create a European Research Area, FP7 will run for a period of seven years, (2007–2013). It will fund hundreds of projects originating from European players in research and innovation.
FP7 websiteFP7 compared to FP6- FP7 lasts longer than FP6: 7 years instead of 5 and it will run from 2007 to 2013.
- FP7 has a much larger budget: 50.5 billion instead of 17.5 billion for FP6.
- FP7 has a different structure: it introduces the European Research Council to oversee the funding of basic research and includes the new Joint Technology Initiatives funding instrument. A new Risk-sharing finance facility comes to life that will enhance the backing for private investors in research projects and also the access to loans from the European Investment Bank.
- FP7 is establishing new Regions of Knowledge that bring together the various research partners within a region.
- FP7 fully integrates an international dimension into its various programmes.
FP7’s structureFP7 is made up of four main specific programmes:
- Cooperation – Collaborative research in 10 priority areas; “Fostering collaboration between industry and academia to gain leadership in key technology areas.”
- Ideas – implemented by European Research Council; “Supporting basic research at the scientific frontiers.”
- People – Human Potential, Marie Curie Actions; “Supporting mobility and career development for researchers both within and outside Europe.”
- Capacities - “Helping develop the capacities that Europe needs to be a thriving knowledge-based economy.”
- and a fifth specific programme on nuclear research under the Euratom Framework Programme; “Developing Europe’s nuclear fission and fusion capabilities.”
Joint Technology InitiativesFP7 established a new instrument that enables the setting up of ambitious, long-term, public-private partnerships in the form of Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs). An initial set of JTIs has been identified in the fields of:
- Innovative medicines
- Nanoelectronics
- Embedded computing systems
- Hydrogen and fuel cells
- Aeronautics and air traffic management
- Global monitoring for environment and security
Other instruments for funding researchResearch, innovation and technology are key priorities of the 2007-2013 programming period, in order to bolster the Lisbon strategy. Other programmes related to research and innovation that are not part of FP7 include:
- Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP)
- i2010
- European Institute of Technology
- Programmes undertaken within the EU regional policy
Further InformtionA single Helpdesk, the ‘Research Enquiries service’, acts as the first point of contact for potential participants.
FP7 Research Enquiries Service websiteFurther ReadingFP7 In Brief bookletFP7 Brochure