The European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) has now been launched and will last from 2007-2013. FP7 has a wide range of objectives including addressing the Lisbon Agenda, to make the EU the most competitive knowledge based economy in the world. FP7 brings approaches together from different perspectives to address structural weaknesses in the European Research Area under one large programme worth around £50.5 billion in total.
FP7 includes the following areas, also known as Specific Programmes:
- This is where the majority of funding under FP7 is allocated. Through ten priority-driven themes, this area supports trans-national co-operative research in a similar way to previous FP6 and FP5 programmes. Each priority area is broad-ranging including a variety of technical and socio-economic challenges, and sets out specific topics and/or strategic objectives for applicants to address. Some provision is made for collaboration with countries outside Europe, for work with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and for investigator driven research. Applicants are advised to consult Work Programmes in each area for detailed advice and guidance. Projects range from small-scale collaborative projects to larger collaborative projects or coordination and support actions. Research in '
Socio-Economic Sciences and the Humanities' (SSH) is one of the research themes under the 'Cooperation' specific programme. It focuses on building a better understanding of the socio-economic, political and culture-related challenges facing Europe (e.g. economic growth, employment and competitiveness, social cohesion and sustainability, quality of life, interdependence between world region, conflicts, human rights and citizenship). For further information about this theme, please visit:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/socio-economic_en.html.
Ideas - This programme has included the establishment of a new European Research Council (ERC) to set up programmes to support frontier research across all areas of science, engineering and scholarship. Around 1 billion Euros will be allocated per year to a mix of Starting Independent Research Grants (for those with between 2 and 9 years of experience after obtaining a PhD) and Advanced Investigator Grants for leading investigators. This is the first time that competition for this type of activity at European level has been organised, and is open to researchers of any nationality to take up research positions in Europe and to lead research into topics of their choice (including research in the area of humanities) for up to five years duration. The programme is designed to be a break from traditional research at EU level and grants can be held at single institutions. The programme starts in 2007 with a deadline initially for 'Starting Grants', followed later by a call for 'Advanced Grants'. There will then be a call for both grants once a year until 2013. For further information, please visit the ERC's website: http://ec.europa.eu/erc/index_en.cfm.
People - This programme is based on the successful Marie Curie Actions which have been a popular part of FP6 and FP5. The programmes target a better structuring of European research, two-way collaboration between industry and academia and a stronger international dimension to research. The programmes include Initial Training Networks, Individual Fellowships at post-doctoral level to encourage trans-national mobility, Industry-Academic Strategic Partnerships, European and International Re-integration Grants and several specific actions to raise the profile of European researchers. Eligibility criteria and strategic objectives for each action are quite specific and must be properly understood. Applicants are advised to consult the Marie Curie Work Programme for details of calls and actions. As with the ERC grants, Marie Curie Actions are open to proposals from any field of science and engineering, including the social sciences and humanities.
Capacities - This section of FP7 deals with specific strategic issues including Research Infrastructures, Research for the Benefit of SMEs, Science in Society, International Co-operation, Research Potential in the EU's Convergence Regions, Regions of Knowledge and Support to the Coherent Development of Research Policies. Again, the Capacities section of FP7 does not define priorities by research discipline, but by strategic objective.
FP7 also includes Nuclear Research under its EURATOM programme (2007-2011) and support for the Commission's Joint Research Centres (JRC) across Europe.
Proposals for FP7 projects may only be submitted in response to calls for proposals. Before applying for specific projects, you will need to identify the most appropriate thematic priority area and read the following key documents:
- Work Programme: this gives important detail on topics and project types
- Call Fiche: this is a legal document which confirms the deadline and submission details
- Guide for Applicants: these guides are specific to each thematic area and each project type and explain the application and evaluation process.
Further information about FP7 can be found in the downloadable FAQ's. You are advised to consult the websites below for specific information about the FP7 activity areas:
You can also obtain advice on FP7 from National Contact Points: