European Commission: Framework 7 Programme 2007-2013
The European Framework Seven Programme was launched in January 2007. The programme will extend over 7 years and is designed to support a wide range of participants: from universities, through public authorities to small enterprises and researchers in developing countries.
The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) brings together all research-related EU initiatives playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment, with a new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), Education and Training programmes, and Structural and Cohesion Funds for regional convergence and competitiveness.
FP7 structure and budgets
The structure of the FP7 programme is shown schematically in the figure on the right, and the budgets for each of the areas of activity are summarised below:- Cooperation: €32.413 b - cooperation between universities, industry, research centres and public authorities throughout the EU and beyond.
- Ideas (ERC): €7.510 b - 'investigator-driven' frontier research projects across all fields by individual teams competing at a European level. This is new in FP7.
- People: €4.750 b - Marie Curie - support for all stages of researcher’s professional life. New in FP7 are better structuring, industry-academia pathways and partnerships, and a stronger international dimension.
- Capacities: €4.097 b - R&D infrastructures, support for regions, SME R&D, science & society, policy, and international cooperation.
- EURATOM: €2.751 b (2007-11) - Fusion/fission research and support for Joint Research Centres' (JRC) nuclear research.
- JRC: €1.751 b (non-nuclear) - support for Joint Research Centres' non-nuclear research.
FP7 - Cooperation, Ideas, EURATOM, JRC: budget breakdown across activity areas
The distribution of the total FP7 budget across different activity areas is depicted in Figure 1. The first call budget allocations are largely in proportion to the total budget allocations, with the IDEAS frontier research programme managed by the European Research Council being the most notable exception. 2007 is the first year of the IDEAS programme, and its first year budget (directed towards starting grants for young researchers) is proportionately lower to allow the ERC operations to become established.
Mathematics, modelling and simulation in FP7
Mathematics will undoubtedly be used right across the FP7 programme of activity, even though its role may be for the most part implicit. But how frequently are 'mathematics', 'modelling' and 'simulation' called for in the first calls of FP7? Figure 2 displays the citation statistics for these three words across the first calls for activities under FP7. 'Mathematics' is little mentioned, whereas 'modelling' is most frequently so, and especially under the Transport and Aeronautics, NMP, ICT, and Environment themes. There is clearly scope for raising the profile of the wide ranging role of mathematics in FP7, as there is more generally. (For examples of strategic and profile raising activities, see New and Emerging Themes.)
Mechanisms & Instruments: FP7 versus FP6
There have been a number of changes in mechanisms and instruments from FP6 to FP7; these are intended to further encourage and facilitate participation in Framework Programme activities. Some notable (though by no means all) changes are briefly summarised below. (For more details, go to the CORDIS website.)
- Funding rates for eligible costs: Collaborative research – 50% in general, BUT exceptions at 75% - SMEs, public bodies, HEEs, not for profit RTOs, some security research. Demo - 50%, Management - still 100% (BUT 7% of EC grant ceiling removed), Frontier research (ERC) - 100%, Training – 100%.
- Abolition of Additional Cost (AC) model: - now only FC, FCF; and now based on actual costs of the project including stipends of academics.
- FCF flat rates for indirect costs: - smooth transition option for ex-AC people: 60% flat rate to 2009, 40% from 2010 – excluding subcontracting. The 60% rate is only for the ex-AC and special groups, and will apply only for RTD or demonstration. Alternatives may be possible with EC agreement; for example, simple indirect cost methods developed by organisations and accepted by auditor.
- IPR: - no partner access to parallel side-ground knowledge (i.e. related but not part of the project).
If you would like to comment upon or discuss issues arising from the above material, particularly relating to the role of mathematics, please contact Melvin Brown.
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