FP7 : € 50 billion to fund research

What is it ?

With a total budget of € 50 billion, FP7 (7th European Framework Programme for Research and Development) has been the main instrument for funding research and development for the period 2007-2013. It supported collaborative research projects in most technology areas and gave special attention to SMEs*.

Objectives

FP7 was structured in 4 sub-programmes having their own objectives :

• ideas : strengthening frontier research in Europe ;
• people : enhancing the career perspectives of researchers in Europe ;
• capacities : providing efficient tools for researchers ;
• cooperation: consolidating the European leadership in 10 key areas :
  • Health
  • Food, agriculture and biotechnology
  • Information and communication technologies
  • Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies
  • Energy,
  • Environment,
  • Transport
  • Socio-economic sciences and the humanities
  • Security
  • Space

Who is it for ?

This programme supported EACH research actor, whether public or private : businesses (small, medium or large), universities, research centers, public authorities and individuals.

*SME as defined by Europe : less than 250 employees, turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million or annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 43 million, 25% of capital not held by a group.