Research projects in the European Union are financed by the EU's Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development. The Seventh Framework Programme began this year.

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is the largest financing mechanism for research in the EU. It will last seven years, 2007 to 2013, with a budget of almost 54 billion euros. The EU's previous Framework Programmes did not provide such a large sum of funds. This program was established with the objective of increasing the EU's competitiveness in research and innovation with the most technologically and economically developed countries, mainly Japan and the United States.

What can be done within this program?
FP7 is made up of four specific programs: Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. Additionally, FP7 includes a special program devoted to nuclear research called Euratom. There is also the Joint Research Center (JRC), which provides support and service to member states and companies in the EU.
Research projects are realized through two programs. The first, Cooperation, consists of research and development projects that will promote technological progress in major research fields, which have been grouped into 10 areas:
- Health
- Food, agriculture, and biotechnology
- Information and communications technologies
- Nanoscience, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies
- Energy
- Environment (including climate change)
- Transport (including aeronautics)
- Socioeconomic sciences and humanities
- Space
- Security
The second program, Ideas, finances innovative fundamental research projects that will advance knowledge in all scientific fields.

The People program's goal is development and education of European scientists. The funds available under this program are intended to support researchers' mobility, with respect to location as well as field of interest.

The Capacities program supports building up research infrastructure. This not only means building facilities, but also developing research policies, increasing cooperation, and creating new benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Who can apply for funds from FP7, and how?
Individuals, companies and institutions established under national law, EU law, or international law, can participate in projects financed by FP7. This also means research organizations such as the Polish Academy of Sciences, various research and development centers, colleges and high schools, international institutions (including the EU Joint Research Center), public institutions, local government bodies, and private companies, including small and medium-sized businesses.

The general rule is that an individual entity cannot implement an FP7 project alone. A minimum of three independent partners from three different countries are needed. There are exceptions to this rule; fundamental research projects conducted within the Ideas program and projects related to human resources development in the People program can be realized by one institution.

The application procedure for FP7 funding is complex and depends on the type of project. Each EU country has a Network of National Contact Points, which provides advice and help to applicants. In Poland, this task is fulfilled by the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research run by the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Funds are granted based on a competition. In the specific fields, competitions are regularly announced by the European Commission. The announcements can be found on the internet on National Contact Point or FP7 websites. Every announcement contains information about the field in question, eligible participants, the project's budget, and the deadline for submitting an application. The information is presented in the form of a "call for proposals." Institutions (or groups of institutions) that are interested in participating in a project must reply to such a call and prepare a proposal in accordance with the Guide for Applicants. The guide contains most of the information needed to apply, inlcuding a description of the procedure for preparing and sending a project to the European Commission, assessment criteria, an application form, and a guide to terms used in the FP7. The entire application process is electronic.

Project budget
In the application, the project costs must be presented, divided into direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include the costs of paying personnel hired to complete specific tasks, travel costs, materials, equipment, and the like. Indirect costs are general costs of operation related to the given project, for example administration and management, renting a building and equipment, telecommunications and postal services, water, electricity, heating, insurance, office equipment, and hiring administrative personnel.

Applicants must cover a portion of these costs, mostly the indirect costs, themselves. How large that portion will be depends on the type of project. This is why many projects are carried out with the help of contributions from national budgets. If the proposal is accepted and the project begins, all expenses must be carefully documented and settled.

Other EU programs
FP7 may be the largest financing mechanism for scientific research used by the EU, but it is not the only one. Research institutions and companies in Poland can apply for resources to fund their projects from other EU programs. One example are Specific Targeted Research Projects, thanks to which Poland is able to subsidize innovations in its economy. This form of supplementary funding is available to companies that work with researchers to improve their operations. A company may receive tens of millions of zlotys for such a project if it is able to make its own contribution, usually about half of the project's costs.

To receive these subsidies, the projects must above all be original. Also, the company and research institute collaborating with it must show that they are able to complete the research and afterwards implement the results.

When assessing the proposals, an important criterion is whether implementing the project will bring benefits to the company and to the local community, through new jobs, pollution control, reduced production costs, or increased sales.

Resources for Specific Targeted Research Projects come from EU operational programs, for example the Improvement of the Competitiveness of Enterprises. Under the EU's Financial Perspective for 2007-2013, Polish companies will be able to receive a total of about 8 billion euros for Specific Targeted Research Projects.
Urszula Rybicka