EIR 0-5 Policy

A significant development in recent European research policy is the commencement of the European Union's Framework Programme 7 (FP7) and the release of the first round of calls for proposals. For an outline of FP7, see the FP7 in brief page on this website. A few key points:

• Framework Programmes (FPs) have been the financial tools used by the European Union since 1984 in order to support research and development activities across a range of scientific disciplines. Until this point, FPs have run for 5 years but FP7 has been proposed to run for 7 years (2007-2013). It aims to further the creation of the European Research Area, and to develop the knowledge economy and society in Europe.
• There are four main Specific Programmes under FP7, reflecting four basic priority components of European research for the time being. These are Co-operation, Ideas, People and Capacities. The majority of the funding for research activities will be through the Co-operation program, under the sub-programme of Collaborative Research.
• There are nine major themes highlighted under the Co-operation programme of FP7 (as well as two themes in the Euratom Program) and the most relevant of these for issues related to eco-innovations are: Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology; Environment; and Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities. The Science in Society theme under the Ideas Programme is also related to the concept of eco-innovations.
• The first FP7 calls for proposals were published on December 22nd, 2006. Calls will continue to be published on the EU website Cordis throughout the Framework Programme, from 2007 to 2013. The first FP7 projects will begin later in 2007.
• The overall budget for FP7 is €50, 521, 000
  

Issue 1 of EIR will disclose a few tips learned from the Proposers' Day event held in Brussels on Monday 22 January 2007. Beyond the obvious financial opportunities offered to the global research community at large, EIR 1 will address other, perhaps less well known aspects that make FP7 even more seducing to eco-innovation researchers. Among others: the Science in Society dear to Research Commissioner Potocnik, and the ever-increasing commitment of the European Commission to research for sustainable development. Stay tuned...