FP7 in a nutshell

FP7 is the short name for the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. This is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe and it will run from 2007 to 2013.

The EC budget for the next seven years is € 50.5 billion and the Euratom budget for the next five years is € 2.7 billion1. Overall, this represents a 41% increase from FP6 at 2004 prices and 63% at current prices.

FP7 is also designed to respond to Europe’s employment needs and competitiveness. FP7 supports research in selected priority areas - the aim being to make, or keep, the EU as a world leader in those sectors.

How is FP7 made up?

FP7 is made up of 4 main blocks of activities forming 4 specific programmes plus a fifth specific programme on nuclear research:

    Cooperation - Collaborative research

          • 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 Humanities
          • Security
          • Space

    Ideas - European Research Council

          • Frontier research actions

    People - Human Potential, Marie Curie actions

          • Initial training of researchers - Marie Curie Networks
          • Life-long training and career development - Individual fellowships
          • Industry-academia pathways and partnerships
          • International dimension - outgoing and incoming fellowships,
             international cooperation scheme, reintegration grants
          • Excellence Awards

    Capacities - Research capacities

          • Research infrastructures
          • Research for the benefit of SMEs
          • Regions of Knowledge
          • Research Potential
          • Science in Society
          • Support to the coherent development of research policies
          • Specific activities of international cooperation