Research Themes in FP7

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.

How will FP7 be structured? The proposed Seventh Framework Programme will be organized in four programmes corresponding to four basic components of European research:     Cooperation / Collaborative research projects will be organised according to sub-programmes in nine defined thematic areas, representing continuity with FP6. Note: thematic areas will be linked to: EU Framework Programme' Background: background.asp (i.e. 9 Thematic Priorities details) Ideas / The European Research Council (ERC) will support 'researcher led' basic research in all scientific and technological areas. People / Marie Curie actions to support individual researchers will operate horizontally across all research themes. Capacities / Activities to support research infrastructures, SMEs, international cooperation and 'science in society' issues will also be identified across all research areas.     Source: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/research.htm   Link :Thematic Priorities of FP6

INCITE is supported by the European Commission under the FP6 IST Programme.