from: 6FP fact sheet
The programme is longer than the previous from 2007 to 2013 and more rich: 53,2 billions of euros, +63% from FP6
The European Research Council
which is the fist pan European agency for funding research that aims to fund more high risk yet potentially high gain Euopean Research at the scientific froniers.
Not only partnerships
except for the Cooperation area of programme, there is no obligation for cross border partnership to fund a project.
New research themes classification
Security entered as new topic in the programme; Life sciences goes beyond the genomic area but focus the attention in funding also on traslational research. This means that more resource will be dadicated to let the research reach the market.
This are the main areas: Cooperation, People, Ideas, Capacities where the names are a sort of general objevìctive.
Cooperation:
Is the core of FP7 and its largest component by far, the Cooperation programme fosters collaborative research across Europe and other partner countries, according to several key thematic areas. These themes are: health; food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology; information and communications technologies; nanosciences,nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies; energy; environment (including climate change); transport (including aeronautics); socio-economic sciences and the humanities; space and security
People:
It provides significant support for research mobility and career development, both for researchers inside the European Union and externally. It is being implemented via a coherent set of Marie Curie actions, designed to help researchers build their skills and competences throughout their careers. EU-funded research and assisting parties new to participation in the Framework research programmes. The programme embraces six specific knowledge areas, including Research Infrastructures , Research for the benefit of SMEs, Regions of Knowledge, Research Potential, Science in Society and International Cooperation activities.
Ideas:
It is the first time an EU Framework research programme has funded pure, investigative research at the frontiers of science and technology, independently of thematic priorities. As well as bringing such research closer to the conceptual source, this flagship FP7 programme is a recognition of the value of basic research to society’s economic and social welfare.
It is being implemented by the new European Research Council(ERC), which consists of a Scientific Council (to plan scientific strategy, establish the work programme, quality control and information activities) and an implementing agency (administration, support for applicants, proposal eligibility, grant management and practical
organisation).
Research may be carried out in any area of science or technology, including engineering, socio-economic sciences and the humanities. Particular emphases are being placed on emerging and fast-growing fields at the frontiers of knowledge, and on cross-disciplinary research. Unlike the Cooperation programme, there is no obligation for cross-border partnerships.
Capacities programme – building the knowledge economy
The Capacities programme is designed to help strengthen and optimise the knowledge capacities that Europe needs if it is to become a thriving knowledge-based economy. By strengthening research abilities, innovation capacity and European competitiveness, the programme is stimulatingEurope’s full research potential and knowledge resources.
The programme embraces six specific knowledge areas, including Research Infrastructures, Research for the benefit of SMEs, Regions of Knowledge, Research Potential, Science in Society and International Cooperation activities.
Than there are two specific programmes:

Nuclear research:

This specific programme comprises two parts – the first part focusing on nuclear fusion and the international ITER research facility which is to be constructed in Europe. The objectives are to develop the knowledge base on nuclear fusion, and to realise the experimental ITER fusion reactor. ITER is set to be the biggest research project on Earth.
The second part of the programme covers nuclear safety, waste management for nuclear fission facilities, and radiation protection. The Joint Research Centre’s activities in this area include developing a European-level view on management and disposal of radioactive waste, maintaining safe operation of nuclear facilities, and supporting further research into nuclear power. For more information on these and more JRC activities, see www.jrc.ec.europa.eu
The non-nuclear research activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) are grouped under a specific programme with individual budget allocation.
Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) – a user-driven follow-up to the European Technology Platforms (ETPs), the JTIs are a new concept that brings together different partners to take on objectives that cannot be reached via the ‘Calls for Proposals approach. JTIs specifically address those areas of research activity where enhanced collaboration and considerable investment are essential to long-term success.
There are also some changings that are still in debate.
Application process semplification:
The European Commission is working to make the process of applying projects for VII FP. More simple funding processes, more simple applying form and documentation and a two step applying process. An evaluation phase (with 10 -15 pages project outline) followed by the whole project document assessment if the first were approved.
The Comission it is also evaluating the changing of cost models (AC, FC, FCF) and the introduction of new rules for funding SBE. (75% of all elegible costs) and for Public Administrations (75% of total elegible costs + employement costs).
European commission is taking into account also the externalisation of some activities as the Marie Curie Action management, STREPS etc…
Projects Types re - definition:
STREP and IP projects are going to be merged in new Cooperation Project.
There are several news in the European Projects Funding and more we are waiting from the commission.

And now? Some brief opionion:
T6’s people is working hard to prepare changings in the project management approach and project application process. More Funds, easier Application process, new funding instruments and new decision levels mean more opportunities, more copetition for funds and require high experienced professionals to reach the evaluation phase with short, clear and well designed projects.
In next posts we will give a deep view some specific topics trying to understand how they will affect the way to project in Europe.

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