| FP6 - FP7 |
| FP6 will be implemented by means of six main
instruments (i.e. project types), each of which will have their own, objectives,
typologies of activities, and conditions for participation. |
| FP7,
the EU's chief instrument for funding scientific research and technological development
over the period 2007 to 2013, is one of the most important elements in realising
the Lisbon agenda for growth and competitiveness. The Commission's proposals for
the Seventh Framework Programme, published 6 April 2005, will now go through the
co-decision procedure for approval and adoption by the European Parliament and
Council. |
| |
| What
is FP7? |
The Framework Programme (FP)
is the European Union's main instrument for funding research and development.
The FP is proposed by the European Commission and adopted by the Council and the
European Parliament . FPs have been implemented since 1984 and cover a period
of five years with the last year of one FP and the first year of the following
FP overlapping. The current FP is FP6; it will run up to the end of 2006.
FP7 will however run for seven years. It will be fully operational as of 1 January
2007. It is designed to build on the achievements of its predecessor towards the
creation of the European Research Area and to carry it further towards the development
of the knowledge economy and society in Europe.
|
| What
will be the overall budget for FP7? |
In
its proposals for the seventh framework programme to the European Parliament and
Council of 6 April 2005, the Commission proposed that the maximum overall amount
for Community financial participation in FP7 should be 72 726 million €.
A 3092 million € budget is foreseen for 2007-2011 for nuclear research and
training activities carried out under the Euratom treaty.
In November
2003, a report by the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy,
called for the budget of FP7 to be increased to EUR 30 billion for the period
2007-2010. |
| |
| Who decides
which areas will be financed under FP7, and on what basis? |
| In
the preparation of the present proposals, the Commission took into account the
views expressed during a very broad consultation with other EU institutions, in
particular the European Parliament, the Member States, the scientific community,
industry, and all stakeholders in European research. The proposals are also relying
on an in-depth impact assessment. This impact assessment was based on inputs from
stakeholders, internal and external evaluation and other studies, and contributions
from recognized European evaluation and impact assessment experts. |
| How will FP7 be structured? |
| The proposed Seventh Framework Programme will
be organized in four programmes corresponding to four basic components of European
research: |
| • | Co-operation |
| | 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 Co-operation | | | • | 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 |
| | The programme strengthens, quantitatively
and qualitatively, human potential 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 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 activities. |
|
|
| 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
nine high level themes proposed for EU action are the following: |
- Health
- Food, agriculture and
biotechnology
- Information and communication technologies
- Nanosciences,
nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies
- Energy
-
Environment and climate change
- Transport and aeronautics
- Socio-economic
sciences and the humanities
- Space and security research
|
| Two additional themes are covered by the Euratom
Framework Programme: |
| • | Fusion
energy research | | • | Nuclear
fission and radiation protection | |
| In
the case of subjects of industrial relevance in particular, the topics have been
identified relying on the work of different "European Technology Platforms". |
| |
| What
are the differences between FP7 and its predecessors? |
| While
building on the achievements of its predecessor, FP7 will not be "just another
Framework Programme". In its content, organisation, implementation modes
and management tools, it is designed as a key contribution to the re-launched
Lisbon strategy. |
| The new elements
in FP7 include the following: |
| • | Emphasis on research
themes rather than "instruments" | | • | Significant
simplification of its operation | | • | Focus
on developing research that meets the needs of European industry, through the
work of Technology Platforms and new Joint Technology Initiatives |
| • | Establishment of
a European Research Council, funding the best of European science |
| • | Integration of International
co-operation in all four programmes | | • | Development
of regions of knowledge | | • | A
Risk-Sharing Finance Facility aimed at fostering private investment in
research | |
| |