FP7 - Seventh Framework Programme

The "Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities" (FP7) is the main financial tool of the European Union to support R&D activities covering almost all scientific disciplines. FP7 will run from 2007 to 2013 with a total budget of more than 50 billion Euros.

FP7 is made up of four "Specific Programmes" corresponding to four basic components of European research with a clear objective and title:

Cooperation: support will be given to the whole range of research activities carried out in trans-national cooperation, from collaborative projects and networks to the coordination of national research programmes. International cooperation between the EU and "third countries" is an integral part of this action.
Ideas: this programme will enhance the dynamism, creativity and excellence of European research at the frontier of knowledge in all scientific and technological fields, including engineering, socio-economic sciences and the humanities. This action will be overseen by a European Research Council.
People: building on the positive experiences with the "Marie Curie Action", the "People" programme encourages individuals to enter the profession of researcher; structure their research training by offering options; and, encourage mobility within the same sector.
Capacities: the objective of this action is to support research infrastructures, research for the benefit of SMEs and the research potential of European regions ("Regions of Knowledge") as well as to stimulate the realisation of the full research potential ("Convergence Regions") of the enlarged Union and build an effective and democratic European Knowledge society.

With regards to the first component "Cooperation", ten high-level themes have been identified:

SPICE will target the ICT Programme of FP7. Read more about it in the next section (ICT in FP7).