Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I participate in FP7?

Although FP7 is not a funding program for Canadians, there are many benefits to joining an FP7 research consortium. First and foremost is the opportunity to tackle global challenges with some of the best minds in your area of research. You will also be able to share data, costs, and risks, and leverage your Canadian funds (including even your own personnel costs) into much larger projects with an international impact. You will have the opportunity to strengthen your international networks and work with well-funded researchers from around the world. Participation in FP7 projects can result in further – funded – opportunities as well.

Please see below for information on the specific programs and circumstances in which Canadians may be eligible for FP7 funding.

Are Canadians eligible to participate in any FP7 project?

Yes. Researchers from around the world are eligible to participate in all FP7 projects. There are even certain calls for proposals in which Canadian participation is specifically encouraged. It is always a good idea to let your colleagues in Europe know that you’re interested and eligible to work with them on FP7 projects.

To find out about specific calls in your area, please contact Melodie Cardin, Manager of Communications, ERA-Can (melodie.cardin@era-can.ca).

Can Canadians receive funding?

Primarily, FP7 is a European program and funds research by Europeans. However, there are cases in which Canadians can and do receive funding.

1) If a Canadian researcher’s contribution to a project is deemed essential to the success of the project (i.e. without that contribution, the project would fail) AND there is no one in Europe who could do the same thing, the project coordinator can make the case – in the proposal – that the Canadian partner should receive funding.

2) Through Marie Curie Actions, the PEOPLE specific program of FP7 supports research training and mobility. There are a number of these Marie Curie Actions through which Canadians can be funded:

• The Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship provides experienced Canadian researchers with 1-2 years funding (including salary, travel, accommodation and some expenses) to work – and share their experience with others – in a European research organization.
• The Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship provides European researchers with 1-2 years funding (including salary, travel, accommodation and some expenses) to work – and learn from others – in a Canadian research organization. The Canadian organization benefits from the work of the European researcher and is eligible for some support for office and other expenses.
• The Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme covers the travel and accommodation costs for Europeans to take advantage of training opportunities within existing international research projects. Canadian organizations can host their European colleagues at no cost but must fund their own travel.
• The Marie Curie Initial Training Network grant supports a network of institutions offering a joint doctoral training program. Canadian organizations can participate in the Network by offering training courses, summer schools, etc. for European and Canadian students. The travel and accommodation for European students and the cost of the training activities are covered by funding awarded to the European organizations in the Initial Training Network.

My research does not meet those criteria. How can I bring funding to the table?

There is usually no impediment to using support from a Canadian research funding agency, or any other Canadian funding source, to participate in an FP7 project as long as the Canadian funding requirements are being met. Canadians bringing their own funding into an FP7 project are exempt from financial reporting to the European Commission. Independent Canadian funding often makes an FP7 proposal more attractive.

Please note that FP7 funds direct, indirect and personnel costs for European researchers. As a result, Canadian researchers should also include the direct, indirect and personnel costs (including benefits) associated with their participation when calculating either their request for support or the value of their contribution to an FP7 project.

Who are the Canadians currently involved in FP7 projects?

As of July 2011, there are 201 Canadian researchers in FP7 projects. A full list can be found here.

Can researchers from all sectors apply?

Yes. One of the unique aspects of FP7 is that it is a multi-sectoral research funding program covering university, government and private sector research (including large companies, small and medium sized enterprises and one-person companies). A researcher in any recognized organization can apply.

If I join an FP7 project, what control do I have over my intellectual property?

A great deal! The FP7 Grant Agreement (signed by all project participants and the European Commission) recognizes that all participants own any background they bring into a project and establishes, as a basic principal, that all participants should own a share of any foreground to which they contributed coming out of a project. Beyond that, it insists that the participants negotiate and sign an independent Consortium Agreement (signed by participants only) to establish what background each brings into a project, the access rights of other participants and arrangements to govern the ownership of any foreground developed within the project. ALL participants, including Canadians covering their own costs, have a role in negotiating a Consortium Agreement.

Ideally, the Consortium Agreement is signed before the Grant Agreement. In practice, the two are often negotiated at the same time (on parallel tracks) or the Consortium Agreement follows the Grant Agreement and is signed retroactive to the start of the Grant Agreement.

For more information, please refer to the FP7 Guide for Canadians or contact Melodie Cardin at melodie.cardin@era-can.ca

Guide for Canadians

The following downloadable PDF is a Guide for Canadians who wish to participate in FP7 projects.

FP7 Guide for Canadians