Sixth Framework Programme

Roy Palmer

International Programmes,Biotechnology Directorate,

Enterprise Ireland,Galway Regional Office

How to keep on top of FP6– Use other people to do as much of the

work as possible for you, and avail of all national grants

– Incorporate a watching brief on FP6 into a general networking strategy

– What to ignore is as important as what to focus on

» Partner or sub-contractor? Research or networking grant?

» How does FP6 fit in with your national grant seeking aims?

Key Points about FP6

• 7 ‘thematic priorities’, plus ‘horizontal programmes’• Unifying features: academic-industry interactions, pan-European

linkages (and beyond), ‘value to ERA’ (socio-economic relevance)• You get: money, IP and know-how, research links• Irish applicants have a language advantage• The key to success is a value-led approach• Nobody understands all of Framework. Things evolve – consider

areas where the EC is vague as possible opportunities• The EC is not a faceless bureaucracy; you can develop a one-to-

one relationship with scientific officers.

Key Questions to Answer

• Does my desired research track lie within a thematic priority area?– If yes, can my specific needs be met?– If no, consider other FP6 schemes (e.g. CRAFT and Marie

Curie)– If yes, but the focus is on services, the decision is whether to act

as a partner or a sub-contractor

• Regardless of research area, which is the grant that best suits my short-term needs (i.e. accessibility): Marie Curie? Thematic priority?

You are here: FP6 Home > What is FP6? > Activity Areas

Research areas and research activitiesthat are eligible for funding under FP6

THEMATIC AREAS (‘Priorities’: specific research topics within 7 themes)

Covers those areas where the EU in the medium term intends to become the most competitive and dynamic, knowledge-based economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

CROSS-CUTTING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES (support to theme research)

…complement research within the 7 thematic areas…

STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF ERA (broad supporting research)

European Research Area:…supporting programme co-ordination and joint actions conducted at national and regional level … in any scientific and technological area.

STRUCTURING THE ERA (broad supporting research)

European Research Area:……fight structural weaknesses of European research … applicable to all fields of research and technology.

NUCLEAR ENERGY (special additional research area)

… co-operation at European level in the field of nuclear research.

7 THEMATIC AREAS

• Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health• Information society technologies• Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences, knowledge-based multifunctional

materials and new production processes and devices• Aeronautics and space• Food quality and safety• Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems

*…capacities needed for Europe … to implement sustainable development, and integrating its environmental, economic and social objectives … renewable energy, transport, and sustainable management of Europe's land and marine resources.

• Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society*… European research capacities in economic, political, social sciences and humanities necessary to develop an understanding of the emergence of the knowledge-based society and new forms of relationships between its citizens … and between its citizens and institutions.

CROSS-CUTTING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

• Research for policy support

*Intended to respond to the scientific and technological needs of the policies of the Community, underpinning the formulation and implementation of Community policies … also the interests of future members of the Community and associated countries. They may include pre-normative research, measurement and testing.

• New and emerging science and technology (NEST)..major unforeseeable developments, emerging scientific and technological problems and opportunities…

• Specific SME activities

*…these specific activities are intended to help European SMEs in traditional or new areas to boost their technological capacities

• International co-operation activities

*In support of the external relations, including the development policy of the Community, specific measures aimed at encouraging international research cooperation will be undertaken. Apart from these specific measures, third country participation will be possible within the 7 thematic priorities.

• JRC activitiesRelating to the EU Joint Research Centre ….

STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATIONS OF ERA

(EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA)

• Co-ordination of research activities

*Develop synergies between existing national activities; enhance the complementarity between Community actions and those of other European scientific co-operation organisations in all fields of science (examples: health, biotechnology, environment, energy) [Current Calls: Coordination of national activities; Networking of national or regional programmes or parts of programmes; open call for proposals (ERA-NETs)]

• Development of research / innovation policies

*Encourage coherent development of research and innovation policies in Europe by early identification of challenges and areas of common interest and by providing policy makers with knowledge and decision-aiding tools. [Current Call ‘Benchmarking of research and innovation policies at national, regional and European level’ - closes in May 2005]

STRUCTURING THE ERA (EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA)

Research and innovation• *To stimulate technological innovation, utilisation of research results, transfer of

knowledge and technologies and the setting up of technology businesses in the Community and in all its regions… less developed areas…Innovation

• Marie Curie Actions - Human resources and mobility*… world-class human resources in all regions of the EU …promoting transnational mobility for training purposes, the development of expertise or the transfer of knowledge, in particular between different sectors… make Europe more attractive to third country researchers.

• Research infrastructures*To help establish a fabric of research infrastructures of the highest level in Europe and to promote their optimum use on a European scale.

• Science and society*.. development of harmonious relations between science and society and the opening-up of innovation in Europe … scientists' critical thinking and responsiveness to societal concern…new relations and an informed dialogue between researchers, industrialists, political decision-makers and citizens.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

• Controlled thermonuclear fusion

• Management of radioactive waste

• Radiation protection

*including "risk and emergency management“

• Other activities in the field of nuclear technologies and safety

*….in the fields of health, energy and the environment

M€ Thematic area (Priority Themes)

• Genomics & Biotechnology for Health 2 255• Information Society Technologies 3 625• Nanotechnologies & Nanosciences,

Knowledge-based multifunctional materials,New Production processes 1 300

• Aeronautics & Space 1 075• Food Quality & Safety 685• Sustainable development, global change &

ecosystems 2 120• Citizens & Governance in a knowledge-based

society 225

Structuring the ERA

• Science & Society 80

Sustainable development, global change & ecosystems

Thematic Area 6

Calls in: Sustainable energy systems; Sustainable surface transport; Global change and ecosystems

• Complementary research Development of advanced methodologies for risk assessment

• Cross-cutting issue: Sustainable Development concepts and toolsEstimating thresholds of sustainability and externalitiesDeveloping tools for integrated sustainability assessment

• and for the incorporation of sustainability in decision making processes

Areas previously covered (FP5, but with some level of continuation):

• Urban sustainability and Cultural Heritage city planning and management / cultural heritage / built environment / urban transport

Scientific Support to PoliciesIncludes:• The protection of cultural heritage and associated conservation strategies

Citizens and Governance in a knowledge based society

Thematic Area 7

Open Calls:

CITIZENS-4 - NoE and IP M€ 60

CITIZENS-5 - STREP and CA M€ 52

CITIZENS-6 – SSA M€ 4

Citizens and Governance in a knowledge based society

• Improving the generation, distribution and use of knowledge and its impact on economic and social development.Knowledge based policies for the knowledge based society: policy learning and the sources of policy knowledge / Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge based economy / Emerging dynamic growth regions and their role in a global economy / Understanding knowledge

• Options and choices for the development of a knowledge-based societyThe relations between the labour market, employment and welfare regimes / Education strategies for inclusion and social cohesion and their relation to other policies / Societal trends, quality of life and public policies / Inequalities in society and their consequences / The dynamics of youth in the context of intergenerational relations in European society

• The implications of European integration and enlargement for governance and the citizenDemocracy in a supranational context / New EU borders, new visions of neighbourhood / Governance for sustainable development

• Articulation of areas of responsibility and new forms of governancePrivatisation and public policy in difference contexts / Regulatory processes and the use of impact assessment / Economic governance, articulation of competences and role of expertise

Citizens and Governance in a knowledge based society

• Issues connected with the resolution of conflicts and restoration of peace and JusticeApproaches to conflict analysis: prevention and resolution of violent conflicts /

Transnational terrorism, security and rule of law / Human rights and conflicts / Crime and criminalisation

• New forms of citizenship and cultural identitiesTowards a European public sphere / Gender and Citizenship in a

Multicultural Context / Values and religions in Europe

• Actions to promote the European Research Area in the social sciences and humanities and their contribution to the knowledge based society in Europe

Understanding and measuring social sciences and humanities and their impact / Promotion and support for comparative research, methodologies and data generation / Increasing the visibility and impact of research infrastructures and activities for social sciences and humanities in Europe / New approaches for policy-research dialogues in the ERA: targeted dissemination of EU research in national and multi-national contexts / Promoting international research and policy cooperation`in social sciences and humanities / New converging technologies and their wider implications for a European knowledge based society

Science & Society

“Seeking a better integration of science in society and society in science”

N.B.Calls for project proposals currently closed – calls due March, June, Oct, Dec. 2005. Ongoing: Public procurement procedures (tenders) - provision of services to the

Commission (e.g. studies, or data collection). Also ongoing: René Descartes Prizes.

DIRECT ACTIONS

• Operation of networks• Conferences, seminars, workshops and working groups• Dedicated policy-related research on ethics and gender research • Comparative assessments, methodological development (including design of indicators),

surveys, impact assessments, studies • Prizes (e.g. René Descartes Prizes) in recognition of outstanding achievements• Information, communication dissemination, and operational support.

HORIZONTAL ACTIONS

• Initiatives to promote the ‘embedding’ of Science & Society issues throughout the Sixth Framework programme - gender / ethics / communication (public awareness, debate and education).

Science & SocietyDIRECT ACTION TOPICS

Bringing research closer to society.

• Scientific advice, governance & reference systems….interface between science and policy making ….. channelling scientific advice to policy-

makers….. active participation of society at large in policy development.

Responsible research & application of S&T

• Ethics in sciencedialogue and information exchange between groups concerned with ethical issues … awareness of researchers on ethical issues….understanding of ethical issues.

• Uncertainty, risk, and the precautionary principle…addressing scientific uncertainty, risk governance and the precautionary principle in policy-making.

Stepping up the science/society dialogue and women in science

• S&T culture, young people, science education and careers.…promoting science and scientific culture, particularly among young people…enhancing science education and monitoring scientific careers.

• Women & science.…policy debate at national and regional level and mobilisation of women scientists….better understanding of the gender issue in scientific research.

Main FP6 Grant Instruments

• Integrated Projects (IP)

• Networks of Excellence (NoE)

• Article 169

• Specific Targeted Research Projects (STREPs)

• Specific Support Actions (SSA)

• Coordination Actions (CA)

Integrated Project (IP)

• Purpose: to generate knowledge to implement the priority thematic areas– Should contain objective-driven research to deliver project of ‘critical

mass’

– Address major societal need and boost EU competitiveness

– Technological development, demonstration and training components as appropriate

– Emphasis on effective knowledge and project management

• Partners: 3 legal minimum, but larger number required in reality • Funding: grant to the budget as a percentage of total project costs

(probably ceiling of €10 million)• Duration: 3 – 5 years

Network of Excellence (NoE)

• Purpose: to strengthen Europe’s excellence on a specific research topic & tackle fragmentation of EU research– Each NoE has a mission to spread excellence beyond its

partners– Encouraging ‘organisational change’ a major aspect

• Partners: 3 legal minimum, but larger no. required in reality

• Funding: grant for integration (sliding scale contribution linked to number of researchers in a network, but bear in mind that it is the process that is being funded)

• Duration: 5-7 years

Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP)

• Knowledge-focused, aimed at:– Improving or developing new products, processes or services

and/or– Proving the viability of new technologies offering potential

economic advantage

• Countries: 3 legal minimum, but larger number of partners required in reality (favours smaller research actors)

• Funding: grant to the budget as a percentage of total project costs

• Duration: typically 2-3 years

Co-ordination Actions (CA)

• Purpose: to promote & support the networking & co-ordination of research and innovation

• 2 types:– Co-ordination activities: conference & meeting organisation,

performance of studies, exchange of personnel, good practice, setting up expert groups

– Project management activities

• Partners: 3 legal minimum• Funding: grant to the budget as a percentage of

total project costs• Duration: typically 2-3 years

Specific Support Actions (SSA)

• Purpose: to complement other FP6 funding, to aid in preparations for future EU RTD policy initiatives, to stimulate wide participation in FP6

• 2 types:– Support activities: conference & seminar organisation,

performance of studies, fact-finding missions, high-level scientific awards and competitions

– Project management activities

• Partners: either a single or a larger number (specified in ‘Call for Proposals’)

• Funding: grant to the budget as a percentage of total project costs• Duration: typically ‘one-off’ event, but flexible

Evaluation Criteria of Proposals

IP NoE STREP CA SSARelevance X X X X X

Potential Impact X X X X X

Scientific & tech. excellence X X

Degree of integration & JPA X

Quality of the coordination X

Quality of the support action X

Quality of the consortium X X X

Excellence of Participants X

Quality of management X X X X

Organisation & management X

Mobilisation of Resources X X X X

Cooperative (CRAFT) Research for SMEs

• The objectives of CRAFT:– Improved SME competitiveness– Facilitating transnational competition– Meeting an SME need– Relevance to the SME proposers &

sectors– Reliable and realistic targets– Time to market and additional

development required

How CRAFT operates• For small consortia (at least 3) SMEs• The SMEs assign at least 2 research

providers to carry out a significant part of a project on their behalf

• The SMEs own the IP• The Commission provides financial

assistance towards the cost of the research

Collective Projects

• Any subject which is of interest to a larger community of SMEs

• Duration: 2-3+ years• Budget: €2 – 5 million• 50% for research and innovation activities• 100% for coordination activities – up to 7%

of the EC contribution• 100% for training activities

Why Do Proposals Fail?

• Proposal A

– Failed to meet the thresholds for five of the six evaluation criteria

Failures

• Call objectives – does not address all issues• S&T – poor presentation of state-of-the-art, no

objectives and no outcome• Potential impact – no exploitation plan, poor

dissemination• Consortium – poor description of roles• Management – knowledge and IPR explanation

poor• Mobilisation – high budget, poor integration and

cost allocations

Why Do Proposals Succeed

• Proposal B

– Did not come close to failing any threshold, and significantly exceeded all

Success

• Call objectives – widespread potential impact• S&T – substantial progress beyond state-of-the-

art• Impact – increases competitiveness and is

cheap• Consortium – high quality, good spread• Management – a clear and realistic plan• Mobilisation – clearly defined and realistically

planned

Enterprise Ireland Grants & Supports

Support – the National Contact Points & the FP6 Info. & Support

Unit• Partner searches• Project searches• Funding• Seminars, workshops• Information• Proposal evaluation• Brussels presence• Websites: www.fp6-ireland.com etc.

EI Travel Grant

• Aim: to facilitate participation in FP6• Eligibility: full-time academic, especially

newcomer to FP grants• Costs covered: travel, subsistence• Not covered: overhead, conference registration• Grant ceiling: €1,000• Deliverables: report• Contact (alert your NCP re application):

– Rita Ward: 01-808 2767; rita.ward@enterprise-ireland.com

EI ‘Large Project Coordinator’ Grant

• Potential academic coordinators of ‘large projects’• Maximum grant of €20k towards proposal preparation (travel,

subsistence, meetings, short-term salary, planning)• Not covered: overheads, sabbaticals, conferencr or course

attendance• Eligibility: full-time academic staff in academia and associated

hospitals• Details required: technology summary (& Call target) and research

plan, consortium composition, track-record of proposer, cost breakdown

• Final report submitted after submission of application• Contact (alert NCP re your application):

– Brian Sheridan; 01 8082428; brian.sheridan@enterprise-ireland.com

Contacts:

FP6 Information & Support

Jackie.Golden@enterprise-ireland.com(FP6 National Coordinator, FP6 Information & Support Unit)

Brian.Sheridan@enterprise-ireland.com(FP6 Information & Support Unit)

Roy.Palmer@enterprise-ireland.com

(EI-Bio, Galway Regional Office)

Web links

• Ireland FP6 website• www.fp6-ireland.com

• CORDIS - Community Research & Development Information Service• www.cordis.lu/en/home.html

• EU FP6 Site• fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/home.cfm

• FP6 Science & Society Website • www.cordis.lu/science-society/home.html

• EU Research > Science & Society in Europe• europa.eu.int/comm/research/science-society/index_en.html

• EU Research > Sustainable development, global change & ecosystems• www.cordis.lu/sustdev/environment/ecosystems.htm

• EU Tenders• ted.publications.eu.int/official