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Overview of the 7th Framework Programme

The 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) will last for seven years from 2007 until 2013.

The Framework Programmes for Research have two main strategic objectives:

  • to strengthen the scientific and technological base of European industry;
  • to encourage its international competitiveness, while promoting research that supports EU policies

FP7 supports research in selected priority areas - the aim being to make, or keep, the EU as a world leader in those sectors. 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

Nuclear research and training

  • Fusion energy - ITER
  • Nuclear fission and radiation protection

Joint Research Centre

  • Direct actions in Euratom
  • Non-nuclear actions

Useful links to websites related to FP7