FP7 Support Services

What is FP7?

Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development are the EU’s main source of support and funding for research. The current Programme (FP7) runs from 2007 to 2013 with a total budget of over €50 million. Its main aims are:

• to strengthen the EU’s scientific and technological base
• to encourage the EU’s competitiveness
• to promote research that supports EU policies

FP7 is open to a broad range of organisations (public and private) and individuals including university research groups, companies intending to innovate, small and medium-sized enterprises and researchers. Generally, FP7 is open to participants from any country, although the EU Member States have access to the broadest rights and funding, and participation procedures might vary for non-EU countries.

How can we help?

Help line & diagnostic visits
Guidance on FP7 and the facility to discuss opportunities to participate and the suitability of potential projects.

Workshops
Based on specific calls for research proposals and research themes, providing practical advice, hints and tips.

Partner searches
Seeking partners for projects initiated in Yorkshire and also opportunities to involve Yorkshire based organisations in projects initiated elsewhere in Europe.

Proposal support
One to one guidance on preparing FP7 proposals and independent evaluation of the proposal documentation prior to submission.

How Does FP7 Work?

FP7 is divided into the following four key areas:

COOPERATION	IDEAS
Health	Starting Independent Researcher Grants
Food, Agriculture & Fisheries, and Biotechnology (FAB)	Advanced Investigator Grants
Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)
Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies
Energy	PEOPLE (Marie Curie)
Environment (inc. Climate Change)	Initial Training of Researchers
Transport (inc. Aeronautics)	Lifelong Learning and Career Development
Socioeconomic Sciences and Humanities (SSH)	Industry-Academia Partnerships
Security	International Dimension
Space	Specific Actions

CAPACITIES
Research Infrastructures	Science in Society
Research for the Benefit of SMEs	Activities of INCO
Regions of Knowledge	Coherent Development of Policies
Research Potential

What about Funding?

The basic principle of funding in FP7 is co-financing. In other words, the European Commission does not buy research services but contributes a percentage of the overall costs by giving grants to projects. The maximum reimbursement rates for a project depend on the funding scheme used, the legal status of the participants and the type of activity.

Activity	Public Bodies, Universities, SMEs	Other organisations
Research and Technological Development	75%	50%
Demonstration	50%	50%
Training, Management, CSA	100%	100%

How to Apply for Funding

The European Commission publishes annual ‘Work Programmes’ which include the schedule of ‘Calls for Proposal’ to be published during the year. Each Call usually covers specific research areas.

For further details please contact the team - 0845 630 8003