What is FP7?

The complete name of FP7 is 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. It will last for seven years from 2007 - 2013.The programme has a total budget of over €50 billion.This money will (for the most part) be spent on grants to research actors all over Europe and beyond, in order to co-finance research, technological development and demonstration projects.

Grants are determined on the basis of calls for proposals and a peer review process, which are highly competitive.

Activites funded by FP7 must have a "European added value". One key aspect would be the transnationality of many projects/actions i.e. research projects carried out by consortia which include participants from different European (and other) countries. But in FP7 there is also a new action for "individual teams" with no obligation for transnational co-operation. In this case, the "European added value" lies in raising the competition between scientists in frontier research from the national to the European level.

Who can apply?

Participation in FP7 is open to a wide range of organisations and individuals.

  • research groups at universities or research institutes
  • companies intending to innovate
  • small or medium sized companies (SMEs)
  • Business Associations or groups
  • Public Administration
  • Postgraduate Students
  • Experienced researchers
  • Institutions running research infrastructures of transnational interest
  • civil society organisations
    The above list is only indicative, not exhaustive.

Structure of FP7

FP7 is made up of 5 major building blocks called Specific Programmes.

1) Cooperation
This programme fosters collaborative research across Europe and other countries through projects by transnational consortia of industry and academia. Research can be carried out in ten key thematic areas:

Health
Food, agriculture and fisheries and biotechnology
Information and communication technologies
Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies
Energy
Environment
Transport
Socio-economic sciences and humanities
Space
Security

More
2) Ideas
This programme supports "frontier research" solely on the basis of scientific excellence. In contrast with the Cooperation programme there is no obligation for cross-border partnerships. Projects are implemented by individual teams around a principal investigator. More

3) People
This programme provides support for researcher mobility and career development. It is implemented via a set of Marie Curie Actions, providing fellowships and other measures to help researchers build their skills and competences throughout their careers. More

4) Capacities
This programme strengthens the research capacities that Europe needs if it is to become a thriving knowledge-based economy. It covers the following activities:

Research Infrastructures
Research for the benefit of SMEs (Companies)
Regions of Knowledge
Research Potential
Science in Society
Specific activities of international cooperation

More
5) Nuclear Research
This programme for nuclear research and training activities will comprise research, technological development, international co-operation, dissemination of technical information, and exploitation activities, as well as training. More