The European Framework Programme under way
The new European Framework Programme - FP7 - has recently started and will offer various possibilities for CERN to participate in EU co-funded projects for research and technological development.
In December 2006, the Council of the European Union (EU) formally adopted the 7th European Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (FP7). FP7 started on 1st January 2007 and will cover the period 2007 to 2013. With a total budget of 50.5 billion euros, FP7 is the largest Framework Programme in the history of the EU.
FP7 consists of four major sub-programmes, referred to as 'Specific Programmes'. 'Cooperation' is focused on collaborative research and is divided into 10 research themes. 'Ideas' is a new EU programme for funding frontier research in all fields of science. 'Capacities' aims at strengthening the research capacities in Europe. Finally, 'People' succeeds the previous Marie Curie Programmes and targets the development of Europe's human potential.
On 22 December 2006, the European Commission published the 2007 Work Programmes and the first batch of FP7 Calls for Proposals with deadlines for submission in spring 2007.
CERN is expected to participate actively in the new Framework Programme with focus on accelerator and detector R&D activities, IT projects for the development of grid infrastructures and various Marie-Curie host actions.
CERN's participation in a FP7 project (whether as coordinator or member of a consortium) is subject to prior agreement by the Director-General and the Department Head(s) concerned, taking into account the required and available resources. The preparation of proposals for Marie Curie projects is coordinated by the Marie Curie Steering Committee, which includes representatives of all departments.
The CERN-EU Office (DSU-EU) provides detailed information on FP7, the rules for participation and funding schemes, the Work Programmes of interest to CERN, as well as general advice on the preparation of project proposals.
Detailed information concerning FP7 and the participation of the Organization in FP7 projects is available on the CERN-EU web-site:
On 27 March 2007 the CERN-EU Office will organise a one-day training course at CERN on writing FP7 proposals. The course will be open to all CERN staff interested in or planning to submit EU project proposals under FP7, and is open for registration via the HR Management & Communication Training web-site.
