The current political vision of the EU is reflected by the Lisbon objectives and the Lisbon Declaration (March 2000) includes the objective to “become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion”.
The EU policies are developed through a series of programmes whose implementation is the responsibility of the European Commission.
From 2007, these programmes will be re-organised into further major programmes:
> Framework 7 (for research issues)
> CIP Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (which will include part of the previous FP6 innovation)
> Structural funds (for innovation)
> Education Programmes
These programmes target the Lisbon objectives and reflect the concept of the Triangle of Knowledge “Education, Research and Innovation” (raised in the Kok report ‘Facing the Challenge: The Lisbon strategy for Growth and Employment’ November 2004).
The European Research Area (launched in FP6) is a target to strengthen EU research and excellence, and to avoid duplication by overcoming fragmentation and stimulating a collaborative approach for EU research.
Frontier Research and the ERC will boost basic researchBacked by a group of Nobel prize winners, and formalised since a Dublin Conference in February 2004, basic research will be covered by a sub-part of FP7: the ‘Frontier Research’ programme. In addition, the Marie Curie programme will be expanded (fellowships and network).
Frontier Research is an ‘investigator driven’ approach (no consortium). The evaluation will be based on a competitive peer-review and the only evaluation criteria will be scientific excellence. Grants (not contracts) will be provided for individual teams, which will decide on their own the need for collaborations with other teams or countries. The European Research Council (ERC) is now established with 22 eminent men and women who have been appointed to be the founding members of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (ERC), chaired by Lord Patten of Barnes, Chancellor of Oxford and Newcastle-upon-Tyne Universities. The Scientific Council will be an independent body representing the interests of science and research at the very highest level. The NSF (Noble Foundation in the USA) seems to be a source of inspiration for the implementation of Frontier Research and ERC.
Technology Platforms will enhance the impact of researchFP7 is suitable for companies that have a more long-term vision and plan. One of its aims is to encourage industry to support more research (2/3 of the ‘3% objective’1 should come from the private sector).
The Lisbon Action Plan proposes to “support industrial competitiveness through major European Technology Initiatives”, and “translate Strategic Research Agenda (of the Technology Platforms) into the Thematic Priorities of Framework 7” (see article or insert 2).
Structure and implementation of FP7The FP7 will be organised around four programmes (Cooperation, Ideas, People, Capacities) (see article GLM No. 42 page 6). The Cooperation programme covers nine themes. One of these themes is ‘Food, agriculture and biotechnology’, which “aims at building a European ‘knowledge based bio-economy’ to answer the growing demand for safer and healthier food as well as for sustainable use and production of renewable bio-resources”.
One of the innovations of FP7 is a specific theme on Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities.
The instruments used in FP7 will be the same as in FP6 (following a recommendation by external panels).
Covering all the nine themes, Era-Net will be maintained (as in FP6 for SSA and CA) and ERA-net plus will make it possible to implement Article 169 with new initiatives.
Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP)CIP will include the part “innovation” previously in FP6. It will include:
> Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme (60% of the CIP budget): access to finance for start-up and growth of SMEs, SME cooperation, Innovation including eco-innovation in enterprises, Entrepreneurship and innovation culture, Economic and administrative reform.
> ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) policy support programme
> Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme.
Table 1. Structure of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community (EC) (2007–2013) and Euratom (2007–2011).
COOPERATIONHealth
Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology
Information and Communication Technologies
Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies
Energy
Environment (including Climate Change)
Transport (including Aeronautics)
Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities
Security and Space
IDEASEuropean Research Council
PEOPLEMarie Curie Actions
CAPACITIESResearch Infrastructures
Research for the benefit of SMEs
Regions of Knowledge
Research Potential
Science in Society
Activities of International Co-operation
Non-nuclear actions of the Joint Research Centre
Euratom for nuclear research and training activities
Insert 1.
FP7 timetable
> From 2005 to mid-2006: Strategic phase: Proposal from the Commission for FP7 on 6 April 2005; Consultation and co-decision Parliament/Council; Amendments by the European Parliament; Consultation with the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, the EU Parliament, the European Council (Coreper); Definition of Research priorities and Rules of participation; Distribution of budget (project in discussion).
> Second part of 2006: Final administrative stages in the co-decision process for adoption of FP7.
> End 2006: Programme planning phase; End of FP6; Launching of FP7.
> Early 2007: Call for proposals
> 2007–2013: Implementation Phase
Insert 2.
More information at the CORDIS web site
The quantity of information available on FP7 is considerable, but it is clearly presented on the CORDIS website, Towards FP7 – your gateway to the preparation of the Seventh Framework Programme at http://www.cordis.lu/fp7/home.htm
From this home page there are clear links to all the associated relevant information. The FP7 Frequently asked Questions (FAQs) have been designed and structured in the context of the preparation of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the answers rely on the formal proposal of the Commission to the Council and Parliament on 6 April 2005 and on other official documents published until now.
Source: Anne Schneider (Email:
a.schneider-aep@prolea.com) from sources such as Hyperion Ltd, European Commission (Conferences and Cordis).
13% objective: the EU Council has decided to aim for 3% of GDP for the investment in research by 2010.
