Commission issues call for research funding

€8.1 billion of funding available.

The European Commission today (9 July) called for proposals under the seventh framework programme (FP7), with €8.1 billion available in support.

The funding, which is open to all organisations in member states and partner countries, accounts for most of the EU’s 2013 research budget of €10.8bn.

One of the main areas that the Commission is seeking to address is bridging the gap between research and commercialisation. Activities such as pilot schemes, demonstrations, standardisation and technology-transfer will be given special attention.

Small and medium-sized enterprises can also make use of a dedicated €1.2bn of funding.

Support for research and innovation was one of the main themes in the ‘Compact for Growth and Jobs’ agreed at last month’s European Council.

“If Europe wants to continue to compete in the 21st century, we must support the research and innovation that will generate growth and jobs, now and in the future,” said Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European commissioner for research.

The Commission is also launching an initiative called “European Research Area Chairs”, with €12 million in funding available. Five chairnen/chairwomen will be selected, to be hosted by universities or research institutions in five different EU countries.

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