EU Research Funding - Framework Programmes
This page concerrns the current Framework Programmes. Click here for information about the future EU funding programme for research and innovation.
The overarching aims of the Framework Programmes are to strengthen the scientific and technological base of European industry and encourage its international competiveness while promoting research that supports EU policies. The 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) commenced in January 2007 and is due to run until the end of 2013. Just over €50 billion has been allocated from European budgets for FP7 overall which is split into four main "specific programmes":
Cooperation is the core of FP7, representing two thirds of the overall budget. It fosters collaborative research across Europe and other partner countries through projects which must be undertaken by transnational consortia, which may include both industry and academia. There are ten key thematic areas: health; food, agriculture and fisheries, 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; space; security.
Ideas will support "frontier research" solely on the basis of scientific excellence. Research may be carried out in any area of science and technology, including engineering, socio-economic sciences and the humanities. Projects are operated via the European Research Council (ERC).
People provides support for researcher mobility and career development, both for researchers inside the EU and internationally. Implemented via a set of Marie Curie Actions which provide fellowships and other measures to help researchers build their skills and competencies throughout their careers.
Capacities strengthens the research capacities that Europe needs if it is to become a thriving knowledge-based economy. It covers: research infrastructures; research for the benefits of SMEs; regions of knowledge; research potential; science in society; and specific activities of international cooperation.
Contact ReDS
If you are interested in developing a collaborative relationship or applying for EU research funding please contact the ReDS team for further assistance as we will be devoting considerable time monitoring funding calls which fit with UEL key themes and will be publishing regular updates via our current opportunities pages.
