Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development

The Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, also called Framework Programmes or abbreviated FP1 through FP7 with "FP8" being named "Horizon 2020", are funding programmes created by the European Union/European Commission to support and foster research in the European Research Area (ERA). The specific objectives and actions vary between funding periods. In FP6 and FP7 focus was still in technological research, in Horizon 2020 the focus is in innovation, delivering economic growth faster and delivering solutions to end users that are often governmental agencies.

Background

Conducting European research policies and implementing European research programmes is an obligation under the Amsterdam Treaty, which includes a chapter on research and technological development. The programmes are defined by Commission civil servants that are aided by various official advisory group and lobby groups. E.g. to advise the European Commission on the overall strategy to be followed in carrying out the Information and Communication Technology thematic priority, the Information Society Technologies Advisory Group (ISTAG) was set up.[1]

The framework programmes

The framework programmes up until Framework Programme 6 (FP6) covered five-year periods, but from Framework Programme 7 (FP7) on, programmes run for seven years. The Framework Programmes, and their budgets in billions of Euros, are presented in the table below.[2] For FP1–FP5, program expenditures were made in European Currency Units; from FP6 onward budgets were in Euros. The values presented below are in Euros.

Framework Programme period Budget (billions of €)
First[3] 1984–1987 3.8
Second[4] 1987–1991 5.4
Third[5] 1990–1994 6.6
Fourth[6] 1994–1998 13.2
Fifth[7] 1998–2002 15.0
Sixth[8] 2002–2006 17.9
Seventh 2007–2013 50.5 over seven years
+ 2.7 for Euratom over five years[9]
Horizon 2020 (Eighth)[10] 2014–2020 80 (estimated)[11]

Funding instruments

FP6 and FP7

Framework Programme 6 and 7 (2002–13) projects were generally funded through instruments, the most important of which are listed below.

Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020 is the eighth phase of the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (also called Framework Programmes; hence the project's alternative name of 'FP8'), funding programmes created by the European Union in order to support and encourage research in the European Research Area (ERA). It implements Europe 2020 and Innovation Union strategies. The programme runs from 2014–20 and provides an estimated 80 billion of funding,[17][18] an increase of 23 per cent on the previous phase.[19]

The project became embroiled with the 2014 referendums held by Switzerland, which opted to impose a quota on immigration between that country and the EU. Switzerland, which maintains bilateral agreements with the EU, was intended to be a participant of Horizon 2020, but negotiations that would have ensured this were put on hold in the aftermath of the decision.[20] Turkey joined this funding program. This funding programme also includes Israel, which joined after protracted negotiations about whether funding could be directed to projects beyond the Green Line;[21] eventually the two parties agreed to disagree, and Israel published its views in an Appendix to the official documents. Open access is an underlying principle of Horizon 2020,[22] intended to improve research results, create greater efficiency, improve transparency and accelerate innovation.[23]

Horizon 2020 is also implementing the European environmental research and innovation policy, which is aimed at defining and turning into reality a transformative agenda for greening the economy and the society as a whole so as to achieve a truly sustainable development.

Structure

The programme consists of three main research areas that are called "pillars".

These technologies all have European technology platforms (ETP; fora for research communities to meet) with their respective strategic research agendas (SRA). Some technologies have long term funding instruments, such as joint technology initiatives (JTI). Some technologies are labelled key enabling technologies (KET).
This pillar contains special efforts to SME funding and gives also risk financing (2.8 billion euro) e.g. through loans of the European Investment Bank.

The structure follows the previous framework programme (FP7, 2007–13) to the level of the sub-programmes under the pillars. In the industrial pillar the goal is to find ways to modernize European industries that have suffered from a fragmented European market. In societal challenges the goal is implementation of solutions, less on technology development.

Criticism of the programmes

The programmes have been criticized on various grounds, such as actually diminishing Europe's industrial competitiveness[25] and failing to deliver fundamental excellence and global economic competitiveness.[26] In 2010, the Austrian Research Promotion Agency launched a petition calling for a simplification of administrative procedures, which attracted over 13,000 signatories.[27] The numerous other criticisms of the petitioners were later distilled into a Green Paper.[28] In Horizon 2020 there are significant simplifications: e.g. fewer funding rates (increasing the funding rates of the large companies), less reporting, less auditing, shorter time from proposal to project kick-off.

Funded projects

References

  1. "ISTAG website". Cordis.lu. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  2. Artis, M. J. and F. Nixson, Eds. "The Economics of the European Union: Policy and Analysis" (4th ed.), Oxford University Press 2007
  3. OJ C208 – 04/08/1983
  4. OJ L302 – 24/10/1987; 87/516/Euratom, EEC
  5. OJ L117 – 08/05/1990; 90/221/Euratom, EEC
  6. OJ L126 – 18/05/1994; No 1110/94/EC
  7. OJ L26 – 01/02/1999; No 182/1999/EC
  8. OJ L232 – 29/08/2002; No 1513/2002/EC
  9. "How is FP 7 structured? from FP7 in Brief". European Commission. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  10. Cordis. "The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation". Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  11. Grove, Jack (28 July 2011). "Grove, Jack "'Triple miracle' sees huge rise in EU funds for frontier research", Times Higher Education, 28 July 2011". Timeshighereducation.co.uk. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  12. CORDIS reference page
  13. "Provisions for Implementing Integrated Projects" (PDF). Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  14. "What is FP6: Instruments: Network of Excellence". European Commission. Retrieved 22 June 2009.
  15. 1 2 "Provisions for Implementing Networks of Excellence", cordis.europa.eu. Retrieved 25 June 2009
  16. "Guide for applicants (Collaborative projects - Small and Medium-scale focused Research Projects - STREP)". European Commission. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  17. Grove, Jack (2011). "'Triple miracle' sees huge rise in EU funds for frontier research". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  18. Amos, Jonathan. "Horizon 2020: UK launch for EU's £67bn research budget". BBC. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  19. Rabesandratana, Tania. "E.U. Leaders Agree on Science Budget". ScienceInsider. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  20. Schuetze, Christopher F. (2014). "Swiss Immigration Overhaul Puts Study Programs at Risk". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  21. Elis, Niv (2014). "Israel joins 77 billion euro Horizon 2020 R&D program". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  22. "Fact sheet: Open Access in Horizon 2020" (PDF). European Commission. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  23. "Guidelines on Open Access to Scientific Publications and Research Data in Horizon 2020" (PDF). European Commission. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  24. See the Research and Innovation SC5 projects 2014 & 2015 one-stage catalogue https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/8cdd0cdc-bf67-4393-b45a-68d36b9408b9/Research%20and%20Innovation%20SC5%20projects%202014%20&%202015%20one-stage
  25. Financial Control and Fraud in the Community. House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities, 12th Report. London: HMSO (1994).
  26. H. Matthews, The 7th EU research framework programme. Nanotechnol. Perceptions 1 (2005) 99–105.
  27. "Cerexhe receives petition for the simplification of administrative procedures for researchers". Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  28. Green Paper From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding. Vienna: Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) (2011).

External links

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