Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development

Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development was a European Union European Commission-funded research program that ran from 2007 to 2013, building on the Sixth Framework Programme and preceding the Horizon 2020 program. The program involved collaboration with numerous organizations, including CERN, European Space Agency, and European Organization for Nuclear Research. It aimed to promote research and innovation across Europe, with a focus on European Research Area and involvement from countries like Germany, France, and United Kingdom. The program's budget was €50 billion, allocated by the European Commission and approved by the European Parliament, with support from European Council and European Investment Bank.

Introduction

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development was established to strengthen the European Research Area by promoting research and innovation across Europe, with a focus on European Union member states like Spain, Italy, and Poland. The program built on the successes of the Sixth Framework Programme and laid the groundwork for the Horizon 2020 program, which was launched in 2014 with the support of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. The program involved collaboration with numerous international organizations, including United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), and International Council for Science (ICSU), as well as research institutions like University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Objectives and Priorities

The main objectives of the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development were to promote research and innovation, improve the competitiveness of European Union industries, and address major societal challenges like climate change, sustainable energy, and public health, in collaboration with organizations like World Wildlife Fund (WWF), European Environment Agency (EEA), and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The program's priorities included supporting research in areas like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information and communication technology (ICT), with involvement from companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Google. The program also aimed to promote international cooperation in research and innovation, with a focus on collaboration with countries like United States, China, and India, and organizations like National Science Foundation (NSF), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Structure and Funding

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development was structured around four main programs: Cooperation, Ideas, People, and Capacities, with funding allocated by the European Commission and managed by the European Research Council (ERC), European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. The program's budget was €50 billion, with funding provided by the European Union and supplemented by contributions from European Investment Bank (EIB) and other organizations like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust. The program supported research projects and initiatives across Europe, with a focus on European Research Area and involvement from countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Netherlands.

Participation and Eligibility

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development was open to participation from organizations and individuals from European Union member states, as well as countries associated with the European Union like Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, and international organizations like European Space Agency (ESA), CERN, and European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Eligibility for funding was based on the quality and relevance of the research proposal, with evaluation and selection carried out by independent experts from organizations like European Research Council (ERC), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The program supported a wide range of research activities, including basic research, applied research, and technology development, with involvement from companies like Siemens, Bayer, and Sanofi.

Key Areas of Research

The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development supported research in a wide range of areas, including health, energy, transport, and information and communication technology (ICT), with a focus on European Research Area and involvement from organizations like World Health Organization (WHO), International Energy Agency (IEA), and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The program also supported research in areas like nanotechnology, biotechnology, and advanced materials, with collaboration from companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Google. Key areas of research included climate change, sustainable energy, and public health, with involvement from organizations like United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), European Environment Agency (EEA), and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as well as research institutions like University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Category:European Union research programs