ERA-Can - Why FP7?

Why FP7?

Collaboration with researchers under the Seventh Framework Programme allows Canadian researchers and research organizations to leverage their own resources into large projects which can have a much greater impact. These collaborations link the best minds in Canada with the best minds in Europe, allowing them to tackle global challenges. There are also some funding opportunities under FP7 which Canadians can access.

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) is the European Union's main instrument for funding research in universities and businesses across Europe for 2007-2013. It is distinguished both by the level of support it provides for multi-disciplinary research and cooperative activities in all fields and by the emphasis it places on international collaboration.

FP7 has a budget of €53.2 billion over seven years or approximately €7.6 billion annually (equivalent to $80.4 billion over seven years or $11.5 billion annually). It supports four broad types of research activity, in all fields, conducted in universities and businesses.

Cooperation (€32.4 billion over seven years): Supports research activities carried out in trans-national cooperation with universities and businesses. It focuses on ten strategic themes:

Information and communication technologies (€9.11 billion over seven years)
Health (€6.05 billion)
Transport, including aeronautics (€4.18 billion)
Nano production (€3.5 billion)
Energy (€2.3 billion)
Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology (€1.935 billion)
Environment (€1.8 billion)
Space (€1.43 billion)
Security (€1.35 billion)
Socio-economic sciences and Humanities (€610 million)

In each theme, support is provided through four sorts of funding schemes:

1. Collaborative Research

Collaborative Projects (small and large scale)
Networks of Excellence (joint program of activities / resources)
Co-ordination and Support Actions

2. Coordination between National Research Programs

ERA-Net (coordination of national research programs)
Article 169 (EU participation in joint national research programs)

3. Joint Technology Initiatives (public-private partnerships)

4. Technology Platforms (consultative bodies)

Ideas (€7.5 billion over seven years): Supports basic research at the scientific frontiers in all disciplines and is administered by the independent, “arm’s length,” European Research Council.

The ERC awards two sorts of grants to individuals or teams conducting frontier research in any field:

Starting Independent Researcher Grant
Advanced Investigator Grant

People (€4.7 billion over seven years): Supports the mobility and career development of students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and researchers in all disciplines both within and outside Europe.

The program offers five sorts of funding schemes (often referred to as “Marie Curie Actions”):

1. Initial Training (networks of training organizations and young researchers)

2. Life-long Training and Career Development (established researchers)

Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development
European Reintegration Grants (ERG)
Cofunding of Regional, National and International Programs (COFUND)

3. Industry-Academia Pathways and Partnerships (within Cooperation Projects)

4. International Dimension

International Outgoing Fellowships
International Incoming Fellowships
International Reintegration Grants

5. Specific Actions

Researchers’ Night
Trans-national Collaboration ERA-MORE
Marie-Curie Awards
Trans-national Collaboration NCP

Capacities (€4.1 billion over seven years): Supports research infrastructure in Europe.

The program includes seven sorts of funding schemes:

1. Research Infrastructures

2. Research for SMEs

SME outsourcing research
Coordinating national support
Coordination and Support Actions

3. Regions of Knowledge

4. Research Potential of Convergence Regions

5. Science in Society

6. Coherent Development of Research Policies

7. International Cooperation

In addition, FP7 provides funding for the Euratom Programme (€2.7 billion over seven years) that supports nuclear research in Europe (2007-2011) and the Joint Research Centre (€1.7 billion over seven years) that provides scientific and technological support to policy development at the European Commission.