VII Framework Programme (2007-2013)
In June 2004 the European Commission launched a consultation process on the preparation of FP7 with the publication of the Communication, COM(2004) 353, "Science and technology, the key to Europe's future - Guidelines for future European Union policy to support research".
The Treaty establishing the European Community (part 3, title XVIII, art. 166, pag.114) provides for the creation of multiannual RTD programmes. The next framework programme will be the seventh (FP7), and is planned to span the period 2007-2013, and to increase the FP7 budget to 30 billion euro (duplicating the current funds) from the European Parliament.
The funds will be used to the realization of six major objectives:
- Creating European centres of excellence through collaboration between laboratories
- Launching European technological initiatives
- Stimulating the creativity of basic research through competition between teams at European level
- Making Europe more attractive to the best researchers
- Developing research infrastructure of European interest
- Improving the coordination of national research programmes
The broad objectives of FP7 have been grouped into four categories: Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. For each type of objective, there is a specific programme corresponding to the main areas of EU research policy. All specific programmes work together to promote and encourage the creation of European poles of (scientific) excellence.
Cooperation
The specific programme on 'Cooperation' supports all types of research activities carried out by different research bodies in trans-national cooperation. Eligible actions range from collaborative research projects and the creation of networks to the establishment of European Technology Platforms and the coordination of non-EU research programmes. International cooperation with non-EU countries is also included. Accounting for over half FP7's total budget, the 'Cooperation' Programme aims to gain or consolidate leadership in key scientific and technology areas.
Ideas
The specific programme for 'Ideas' aims to support frontier research at the existing borders of knowledge, carried out by individual teams in all scientific and technological fields, including engineering, socioeconomic sciences and the humanities. The investigator-driven programme will be carried out by an independent European Research Council (ERC) to stimulate creativity, excellence and the discovery of radical, new knowledge.
People
The Specific Programme on 'People' provides support to researchers, supporting their career development and mobility by means of an expansion of the existing 'Marie Curie' exchange programme. These actions will be reinforced and refocused on key aspects of skills and career development, while also strengthening the links with national research systems. The overall aim is to strengthen, qualitatively and quantitatively, human resources in the European research sector.
Capacities
The specific programme on 'Capacities' will focus on improving research capacities throughout Europe. The main actions include support to research infrastructures, research for the benefit of SMEs, regional research-driven clusters, help for convergence regions to unlock their full research potential, 'Science in Society' (activities aimed at strengthening the link between science and society in general) and horizontal activities of international cooperation.
All the documents about the Programme are available on the relative section of the VII Framework Programme of the Cordis web site.
In its plans, the Commission proposes using the most efficient means of implementation, including management through partnership with the Member States and research actors, and “externalised” management.
The total budget for FP7 is €50.521 billion, and the programme will run for seven years. An additional €2.7 billion has been earmarked for the Euratom programme on nuclear research, which will run for five years.
The European Commission publishes from year to year a work programme with which the sectors to finance and the action lines of the candidatures are recognized.
Is now online the Work Programme 2009-2010.
The National Contact Point (NCP) for Italy is the APRE Agency.
Further information:
VII Framework Programme: Call for proposals under the 2009 and 2010 work programmes. Cooperation Specific Programme. Third theme: Information and Communication Technologies.
Previous invites Results
First Call (deadline 10th May 2007) results
Call for proposals under the ‘Capacities’ work programme of the 7th EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities
Call for proposals under the work programme of the 7th EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities
Technological Development and Demonstration ActivitiesICT Call 1
ICT Call 2: Accessible and Inclusive ICT
Calls for proposals under the Cooperation and Capacities work programmes
VII FP Events
FAQ ICT
Find a Document for the VII FP
Official Documents
VII FP in a nutshell
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