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The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)

FP7 has three overall aims:

• strengthening the EU's S&T base
• improving the EU's competitiveness
• supporting policy development in the EU

FP7 is open to EU public and private entities of all sizes and incorporates provision for the participation of non-EU countries. There are no national quotas as the Programme operates on a competitive basis with proposals being evaluated by panels of independent experts against set criteria.
FP7 is largely delivered through four specific programmes:

1. Cooperation - The largest component of FP7, this will fund research activities involving trans-national cooperation in ten thematic areas:

• Health
• Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, 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

European Technology Platforms (ETPs) have been set up in areas where Europe's competitiveness, economic growth and welfare depend on important research and technological progress in the medium to long term.  They bring together stakeholders, under industrial leadership, to define and implement a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA). The ETPs have contributed to the definition of the themes of the Cooperation programme, in particular in research areas of special industrial relevance. 

Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs), long-term public-private partnerships will also be created on the basis of the work undertaken by the European Technology Platforms.  These will combine private sector investment with national and European public funding, including grant funding from FP7 and loan finance from the European Investment Bank. 

The six areas suggested for JTIs are:

• innovative medicine;
• nanoelectronics;
• embedded systems;
• aeronautics and air transport;
• hydrogen and fuel cells, and;
• global monitoring for environment and security. 

Negotiations on the JTIs will take place throughout 2007.

2. Ideas - This is a new element introduced in FP7 where funding will be given to investigator driven research projects across all fields, carried out by individual teams in European competition and managed by a European Research Council (ERC). Projects will be evaluated solely on the basis of excellence, as judged by peer review.

   The ERC will be run separately from the Commission, consisting of a Scientific Council (to plan scientific strategy, establish the work programme, quality control and information activities) and an implementation agency (dealing with administration, support for applicants, proposal eligibility, grant management and practical organisation). The Scientific Council consists of representatives of the European science community at the highest level, who act in their personal capacity, independent of political or other interests.

3. People - So called "Marie Curie" actions aimed at the mobility of researchers. The budget is greater than previous Framework Programmes and more emphasis is given to industry-academic transfers.
4. Capacities - key aspects of European research and innovation capacities in the following areas:

• Infrastructures - continuation of successful past activities with support for new infrastructure based on the work of ESFRI over the past three years.
• Science and Society - continuation of the existing programme.
• Regions of Knowledge and Research Potential - are still about excellence but will help to involve regional authorities in FP7 and enable excellent researchers from convergence regions to achieve higher visibility (helping participation in collaborative projects).
• International cooperation - building the capacity of selected third countries and providing opportunities to take part in research not covered under the Cooperation specific programme.
• Co-ordination of national programmes and international cooperation - are now fully integrated into the main thematic priorities rather than being separate activities with separate budget lines.

Details of how FP7 was negotiated is available under related links on the right.

Information on the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) which ended in December 2006 is available under related links on the right.

The UK held the Presidency of the EU from 1st July to 31st December 2005. It aimed to deliver progress across the EU agenda by running an effective, impartial and business-like Presidency. Details of this is available on the right under related links.