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FP7 Overview

FP7, the EU's chief instrument for funding scientific research and technological development over the period 2007 to 2013, is a core factor in European efforts to meet the Lisbon goals of growth, competitiveness and employment.

While building on the achievements of its predecessor, the €53 billion programme will not be "just another Framework Programme". In its content, organisation, implementation modes and management tools, it is designed as a key contribution to the re-launched Lisbon strategy.

Whilst the first FP7 Calls for Proposals opened on December 22nd 2006, the Seventh Framework Programme was only fully operational as of January 1st 2007 and will expire in 2013.

What's New in FP7

• emphasis on research themes rather than instruments
• significant simplification of its operation
• focus on developing research that meets the needs of European industry, through the work of Technology Platforms and new Joint Technology Initiatives
• establishment of a European Research Council to fund the best of European science
• integration of International co-operation in all four programmes
• development of regions of knowledge
• a Risk-Sharing Finance Facility aimed at fostering private investment in research

FP7 Thematic Areas

The FP7 programme includes the following thematic areas under the Cooperation Program:

• Health
• Food, Agriculture 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

FP7 Structure

FP7 is based around four main programmes:

• Co-operation - Collaborative trans-national research activities
• Ideas - Basic research implemented though the European Research Council (ERC)
• People - Marie Curie actions and other training and mobility initiatives
• Capacities - Development of research infrastructures and support to regional clusters, SMEs and international cooperation

Community Financial Contribution

This will be a maximum of 50% of eligible costs minus receipts for both research and demonstration activities - the rate for FP6 for demonstration was 35%. For SMEs, public bodies, secondary and higher education institutions and non-profit research organisations there will be a top up of a maximum of 25% for research activities.

Frontier research actions funded through the ERC will be reimbursed at 100% for all entities.

All other activities, including those relating to co-ordination and support actions, and actions for the training and career development of researchers, will be reimbursed at up to 100% for all entities.

Networks of Excellence will use a special lump sum system that is a fixed amount per integrated researcher per year (€23,500).

Forms of grants

Three forms of grants are proposed:

• reimbursement of eligible costs
• lump sums
• flat-rate financing (this could be based on scale of unit costs but also include flat rate for indirect costs)

For most funding schemes, the reimbursement of eligible costs will be the preferred method.

Lump sum and flat-rate financing will be introduced gradually and expanded if successful.

Cost Reporting Models

The existing costs models will be abandoned. Participants will charge all their direct costs (including permanent members of staff) and indirect costs and have the option of a flat rate for indirect costs.

Evaluation Process

This will continue as in previous Framework Programme, but with greater use of remote evaluations. Full electronic submission will be used and pre-filled forms and pre-registration will be introduced.

Funding assistance

So how can Mackintosh Consultants help?

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