FP7 is the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. It will last for seven years from 2007 until 2013. The programme has a total budget of over €50 billion. This money will mainly be used to co-finance research, technological development and demonstration projects. Grants are determined on the basis of calls for proposals and a peer review process, which are highly competitive. 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

How to apply for funding?

The Specific Programmes are announced by the European Commission in annual ‘Work Programmes’. These work programmes include the schedule of ‘Calls for Proposals’, commonly known as just ‘Calls’, to be published during the year. Each Call usually coves specific research areas, and you may have to wait until the publication of a Call which covers your exact area of interest. All calls are announced and published on the FP7 section of CORDIS – the website dedicated to EU-supported research www.cordis.europa.eu/fp7

Responding to a call

You respond to a Call by submitting your proposal. Proposals may be submitted at any time after a Call opens, until the deadline. The Guide for Applicants (also published on CORDIS), will guide you through the process, and point you towards useful documents. A web-based electronic online tool called EPSS (Electronic Proposal Submission Service) is the obligatory channel for submission of proposals.

What happens after I submit a proposal?

After the deadline for the Call, all the proposals submitted are evaluated by a panel of independent evaluators, who are recognised specialists in the relevant fields. The panel will check the proposals against a published set of criteria to see if the quality of research proposed is worthy of funding.

What if my proposal is accepted?

For successful proposals, the European Commission enters into financial and scientific/technical negotiations with your consortium on the details of the project. A grant agreement is then drawn up setting out the rights and obligations of the beneficiaries and the European Community.