1. Prospects for Romania in Seventh Framework Programme 2007-2013
Tania FRIEDERICHS
European Commission
Research DG
International Scientific Cooperation Policy

2. Research is good for you!!
Research has become a core European policy; part of Lisbon strategy;
Since Lisbon Council/January 2000: research is on the political agenda;
Research is a tool to facilitate integration: complying with acquis communautaire in difficult areas as environment, public health, energy targets, security;
No economic growth; better jobs; quality of life without research and innovation.

3. Confirmation of political importance
“European Council, December 2005:
particular priority should be given to delivering a substantial and progressive enhancement of the EU´s research effort, which is generally recognised to be one of the most promising and effective drivers of innovation and growth”.

4. 7FP Overview of structure and objectives

5. + FP7 Structure Specific Programmes
Cooperation – Collaborative research
Ideas – Frontier Research
People – Human Potential
Capacities – Research Capacity +
JRC (non-nuclear)
JRC (nuclear)
Euratom

6. Cooperation– Collaborative research
Collaborative research/ 9 themes: the main pillar;
Flexibility to address both Emerging needs and Unforeseen policy needs;
Opening of all themes to third countries;
Joint Technology Initiatives (JTI), (ex. medicines, nanoelectronics, Aeronautics, GMES);
Coordination of non-Community research programmes (ERA-NET; ERA-NET+; Article 169);
Specific International Cooperation actions.

7. Cooperation – Collaborative research
9 Themes
Health;
Food, agriculture and biotechnology;
Information and communication technologies;
Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies;
Energy;
Environment (including climate change);
Transport (including aeronautics);
Socio-economic sciences and the humanities;
Security and space.

8. Ideas – Frontier Research
Support to individual teams;
Promote excellence through Europe-wide competition;
Dedicated implementation structure (Executive Agency);
Independent scientific governance (Scientific Council).

9. People – Human Potential
Initial training of researchers
Marie Curie Networks
Life-long training and career development
Individual Fellowships
Co-financing of regional/national/international programmes
Industry-academia pathways and partnerships
Industry-Academia Scheme
International dimension
Outgoing International Fellowships; Incoming International Fellowships
International Cooperation Scheme; Reintegration grants
Specific actions
Excellence awards

10. Capacities – Research Capacity
Research Infrastructures;
Research for the benefit of SMEs;
Regions of Knowledge;
Research Potential;
Science in Society;
Activities of International Cooperation;
+ Coherent Development of Policies;

11. Funding schemes Collaborative projects; Networks of Excellence;
Coordination and support actions;
Individual projects;
Support for training and career development;
Research for the benefit of specific groups (SMEs).

12. Rules for Participation
Participants: entire World !!!;
Minimum conditions for participation;
Procedures:
Calls for Proposals,
Evaluation,
Implementation and Grant Agreements
Consortia requirements;
Community financial contribution;
Dissemination, use and access rights: IPR very important.

13. FP7 – what’s new?
Not “new” but evolution (continuity) of successful FP 6-elements:
Themes for collaborative research (but with some new areas and greater flexibility)
Marie Curie actions (but with new emphasis, e.g. international aspects and industry-academia mobility)
SME specific actions (outsourcing research)
Funding schemes (but with improvements/simplification)

14. FP7 – what’s new? …and major new approaches European Research Council
Joint Technology Initiatives
Coordination of National Research Programmes (Art. 169)
Strategic approach to research infrastructures
Regions of Knowledge (following successful piloting during FP6)
Research Potential (to exploit research excellence in “convergence regions”)
Risk sharing finance facility (increasing the availability of European Investment Bank loans)
The following slides adress:
JTIs;
new research infrastructure;
simplification (needn‘t be presented in detail since Megan Richards will speak on it tomorrow)
risk sharing finance facility
Issues not adressed:
European Research Council :has been dealt with in the context of the Ideas-Programm (and Bill Cannell will have a presentation on this subject tomorrow)
Research Potential scheme to built research excellence in convergence regions (not of interest to Swiss audience)

15. FP7 State of play and next steps

16. Key documents (3) Framework Programme Proposals Specific Programmes
Commission proposal 6 April 2005
Co-decision by Council and Parliament (EC Treaty)
Specific Programmes
Commission proposal 21 September 2005
Council Decisions
Rules for Participation
Commission proposals December 2005, January 2006

17. Next steps (indicative)
Revised Commission Proposals (after Interinstitutional Agreement on the Financial Perspectives): soon;
Parliament opinion on FP7 (1300 amendments): 15/6;
Mid 2006: Council common position on FP;
Late 2006: Co-decision on FP and Rules, Decision on SPs;
Ongoing: Commission preparation for implementation (work programme, forms, contracts, procedures, guidelines etc.);
End 2006/ beg.: adoption of work programmes, calls for proposals;
mid February 2007: Launch Event in Brussels.

18. Participation of Romania in Framework Programmes

19. Romania’s R&D initiatives
National Development Plan for ,
National Authority for Scientific research (NARS) established in July 2005,
National Council for Science and Technology Policy,
Research for Excellence programme launched by NARS,
Creation of Romania Research Area,
Campaign promoting technological platforms,
Objective to raise investment in research up to 3% of GDP by 2010,
Opening the Romanian office for Science and Technology to European Union (ROST).

20. Romania in FP6 Key Figures
Estimated EU funding - 40 mio €;
In total 325 Romanian participants were involved in 248 projects co-financed by EC within the FP6;
Mostly Specific Support Actions: 113 Romanian partners were involved in 79 SSAs;
Relatively low no. of Integrated Projects: 43 Romanian partners were involved in 31 IPs.

21. Romania in FP6 Priority Areas
Romania was mainly active in the following priority areas:
Information Society Technologies (priority 2);
Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional, materials and new production processes and devices (priority 3);
Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems priority 6);
Specific measures in support of international cooperation (INCO).

22. Romania in FP6 Weaknesses
Romanian participation was marginal in the following Priority Areas:
Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health;
Science and society;
Food quality and safety;
Mobility actions;
Lack of industry.

23. Recommendations for Romanian future participation in FP
Romania should set overall vision and stress need to develop a technology driven economy by:
Stimulating industry to invest in research;
Encouraging universities to undertake research;
Creating partnership universities/industry;
Specialising, focusing and diversing participation in thematic priorities;
Considering research infrastructure in synergy with pre-accession funds and later on structural funds.

24. Recommendations for Romanian future participation in FP
Counting on Romania to continue efforts in WBC integration;
Rise awareness on role of research;
Information sessions on FP7 / collaborative research.
Success!

25. Further information EU research: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research
Seventh Framework Programme:
Information on research programmes and projects:
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