Q&A
Questions and Answers listed here supposed to be frequently asked pertaining to International Cooperation in Science and Technology, in particular about participation the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
Why a focus on S&T international cooperation now?
Several factors argue for an increased emphasis on international science & technology cooperation now:
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• Major scientific challenges are increasingly global: tackling climate change, combating infectious diseases, addressing poverty and inequalities, threats to energy and food supplies, ensuring security and prosperity, etc.
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• The global pattern of research expertise and investment is changing. Rapid advances in research activity can be seen in a number of new scientific "hotspots" around the world. In Asia, China and India have become very important research centres; elsewhere in Latin America, Brazil is rapidly advancing; Russia is re-emerging after a period of major problems; and on the African continent, South Africa is already developing rapidly.
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• There is a growing level of mobility and competition for researchers at the highest level. Europe therefore needs to maximise opportunities to network with centres of excellence around the world and to ensure attractive conditions as a research location and as a research partner.
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• The cost of research infrastructures and of entry into hi-tech fields of research is increasing. High infrastructure costs make international collaboration essential, even for the biggest players.
Where can I find help for participation?
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• International scientific and technological cooperation has been part of EU research policy since the launch of the first Framework Programme in 1983.
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• Framework Programme 6 (2002 - 2006) saw the general opening to all third countries, including the industrialised ones (albeit with different funding rules). This general openness was followed by the change of the overall philosophy from the former S&T international cooperation policy, which had been more focused on developing countries and on Central and Eastern European countries.
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• The approach to international cooperation is significantly different in the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) with a move away from dedicated budgets for international co-operation in favour of integration of the international dimension throughout the
thematic work programmes of the FP. New funding instruments have been introduced to promote this approach, to improve the coordination with Third Country research actions, as well as improve geographic and thematic targeting.
What will be the benefits for the cooperating third countries?
Many of the benefits related to the opening of the European Research Area (ERA) are accrued by cooperation between Third Countries and Europe. Benefits will result from:
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• tackling the research issues related to global challenges more effectively.
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• more open conditions for scientists in Third Counties, to access world-leading experts and facilities in Europe.
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• long-term partnerships with Third Countries, to influence joint research priorities for mutual benefit.
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• greater coherence of action in Europe, to help Third Countries interface with Europe.
A greater opening of ERA to the rest of the world will create a win-win situation for all
(for further information on the International cooperation strategy please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/index.cfm?lg=en&pg=strategy)
Can I participate in FP7 if I am based outside Europe?
The short answer is 'yes'. Organisations and researchers from more than 100 countries all over the world are already involved in EU research programmes.
The international dimension is no longer confined to a specific scientific and technological (S&T) cooperation programme but is now inherent in all European Community research activities. This international policy has three objectives:
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• To support European competitiveness through strategic partnerships with third countries in selected fields of science and by engaging the best third country scientists to work in and with Europe.
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• To enhance the production of knowledge and scientific excellence by enabling European universities, research institutions and firms to establish contact with their partners in third countries, thereby facilitating access to research environments outside Europe and promoting synergies on a global scale.
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• To address specific problems that third countries face or that have a global character, on the basis of mutual interest and mutual benefit.
Participation is open to international organisations and legal entities established in third countries after the minimum conditions laid down in the 'Rules for participation' have been met, as well as any conditions specified in the specific programmes or relevant work programmes.
Can I be funded?
To maximise impact, funding for international research activities is spread throughout the 7th Framework Programme, in particular in the thematic priorities of the Cooperation Programme.
The resources for international cooperation explicitly earmarked in the 7th Framework Programme are the activities fully dedicated to international cooperation under the Capacities Programme. No "ring-fencing" is provided for international cooperation elsewhere in the Framework Programme.
The People Programme meets the need to foster both incoming and outgoing international mobility of researchers.
The Ideas Programme supports excellence in frontier research and enables individual top international researchers to participate in Europe-led teams.
FP7 also includes Euratom and Direct Actions.
For more information please read: A New Approach... (
836 kB)
Where can I find help for participation?
The network of National Contact Points (NCPs) in EU Member States include NCPs to facilitate INCO activities.
There is also a network of NCPs based in third countries to aid participation in FP7.
(for further information on the International cooperation in FP7 please visit: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/public_en.html)