The 7th framework programme for research and development (FP7) is the main EU funding instrument to promote Research and Technological Development (RTD) across Europe.  A number of Scottish businesses and universities participate in these programmes to develop innovative, leading-edge technologies and ground breaking EU-wide research.  The governmental sector can participate in these Programmes (particularly as a demonstrator or end user of these technologies) but to date not many have gone down this route within the East of Scotland.  FP7 works by initiating specific annual calls for proposals under each different theme.

FP7 is the umbrella for four main Programmes:

• Cooperation – is the larger FP7 Programme which funds transnational and international consortia of industry & academia in order to carry out collaborative research projects
• Capacities – strengthens the research capacities across Europe targeting specific beneficiaries;
• Ideas – funds ‘frontier research’ which is implemented by the new European Research Council (ERC); and
• People – supports research mobility and career development for European researchers.

Projects can be based on a number of different funding models, though collaborative projects are the most common. A project consortium must include a minimum of three independent organisations from three different Member States and/or Associated Countries.

Further information

Enterprise Europe Scotland and Scotland Europa have developed an integrated service to help stimulate and support collaborative research and development in Scotland.