Frameworks NW

Am I eligible?

Any 'legal entity' is eligible to participate in FP7, for example research institutes, universities, public and private companies, or physical persons (individual people).

What are the benefits?

• Shared cost & risks of research
• Acquire new knowledge
• Network opportunities
• Meet new customers, suppliers & researchers
• Access new markets & user groups
• Establish new niches, products & processes
• Improve profile at a European level
  

How do I apply?

The EC publishes Calls inviting applicants to submit proposals in response to these calls. Calls are typically published once or twice per annum and approximately three months will be given to submit a proposal.

I've heard that the cost models for determining grants will change for FP6. What cost models will be available in FP7?

Cost models are no longer to be used in FP7. The major consequence of this is that the Additional Cost (AC) model will be scrapped. In its place will be the reimbursement of a percentage of all eligible costs including for permanent members of staff etc. Flat rate or lump sum financing will also be used for some activities.

What percentage of project costs will be funded in FP7?

This will depend on the type of activity and the organization involved. Up to 50% of the total eligible costs for research and technological development (RTD) activities will be funded by the EC. However, public bodies, secondary and higher education establishments and SMEs will be able to claim back an additional 25% of RTD costs increasing the EC contribution to up to 75% of total eligible costs. EC funding for demonstration activity will be up to 50% of the total eligible costs while up to 100% funding will be available for project management. In addition, 100% funding will be available for coordination and support actions, the training and career development of researchers and for frontier research actions carried out as part of the Ideas Programme.

What instruments will there be in FP7 for collaborative research?

The different types of collaborative research projects in FP6 were called 'instruments'. In FP7, the collective term for project types will be funding schemes. The main change compared to FP6 is the merging of Specific Targeted Research Projects (STREPs) and Integrated Projects (IPs) into a new funding scheme called Collaborative Projects. Across the 9 themes of the FP7 Cooperation Programme the funding schemes will be Collaborative Projects, Networks of Excellence and Co-ordination/support actions.

What are European Technology Platforms (ETPs)?

European Technology Platforms (ETPs) are industry-led groupings of
stakeholders in strategically important areas. Their aim is to define the
research and development priorities for the future in that area. This will help
FP7 focus on developing research that meets the needs of European
industry.

For further information on ETPs see
http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms/individual_en.html

What is the definition of an SME?

The EC definition which was implemented on 1st January 2005 is based on the following extract of the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC:

The category of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is made up of enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding 50 million euro and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding 43 million euro.

The following guide is useful for further details including an explanation of how to take account of any relationships you have with other enterprises:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/enterprise_policy/sme_definition/sme_user_guide.pdf