Why does FP7 exist?
FP7 is a vital part of Europe’s economy and competitiveness. The programme is designed to encourage the development of world leading scientific research in Europe. For further information about the objectives of FP7 please visit the Cordis website.
The European Commission has recently published its new strategy, Europe 2020. The Commission has stated that by 2020, 3 per cent of the EU's GDP should be invested in research and development. The Commission is also keen to improve framework programme conditions and access to finance for research and innovation to ensure that innovative ideas can be turned into products and services that create growth and jobs.
Framework Programme 7 is one of the mechanisms through which the European Commission aims to achieve its realisation of the European Research Area (ERA).
The ERA is a concept which aims to develop a unified research area across Europe and increase the competitiveness of European research institutions by encouraging them to work together.
The aims of the European Research Area are to:
- Create a single labour market;
- Circulate technology;
- Encourage Joint Programming;
- Develop excellence in research institutes;
- Develop a world class infrastructure;
- Encourage knowledge sharing; and
- Open Europe up to the world.
Applicants to FP7 should be aware of these overall objectives of the scheme, and seek to incorporate its principles in their proposals i.e. knowledge sharing, cooperation between different European research institutes and establishing shared best practice.
Please follow the following link for further information on the European Research Area, including reports written by the Commission.
