The strategic objectives

Based on the Treaty establishing the European Union, the Framework Programme has to serve two main strategic objectives: Strengthening the scientific and technological bases of industry and encourage its international competitiveness while promoting research activities in support of other EU policies. These two objectives are setting the general scene for choosing priorities and instruments.

Who could consider participation?

• A research group at university or at a research institute
  Research institutions are one of the main target groups of FP6. They find possibilities in virtually all actions of FP6, from participation in research projects to becoming hosts for mobility and training actions.
• A company intending to innovate
  Companies are one of the main target groups of FP6, in particular SMEs, for which 15% of the budget of the thematic priorities is reserved. Companies can take part in all research activities. They can also become hosts for mobility and training actions.
• A Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
  SMEs are encouraged to take part in all thematic areas. 15% of the budget is reserved for them. In addition, for SMEs intending to innovate without having their own research capacity, the "co-operative research" instrument is appropriate. Consortia involving a minimum of three SMEs from two different countries can entrust research and development tasks to scientific institutions. The SMEs will own the results.
• A SMEs Association or grouping
  To boost innovation of whole groups of SMEs or of sectors dominated by SMEs, the instrument "collective research" is foreseen. Business associations (consortia of at least two national associations from two different countries or one international association) may receive funding to entrust research activities to research institutions.
• Public administrations
  If the organisation is dealing with research policy or management of public research programmes, the ERA-NET scheme might be of interest. The scheme gives support to transnational coordination and co-operation of research activities carried out at national or regional level. Otherwise, public administrations can be valuable partners of consortia in areas where they play a role in the use of research results (e.g. in health, environment, transport, legislation etc...)
• Undergraduate students
  In general, activities funded under FP6 do not seek to target undergraduates directly, with the exception of some actions to promote science among young people.
• Early stage researchers (post-graduate)
  Special mobility and training schemes are foreseen in FP6 for early-stage researchers, enabling them to further their research career by working in an institution in a country different from their country of origin or residence. Furthermore, these researchers can get support for participation in international conferences and training courses.
• Experienced researchers
  Special mobility actions are foreseen in FP6 for experienced researchers (having a PhD or 4 years research experience). Their aim is to provide advanced training or to support the transfer of knowledge to institutions intending to develop new areas of activities or to institutions in less favoured regions.
• Acknowledge world-class
  There are Excellence Grants to enable a promising researcher to create a team engaged in leading edge or multi-disciplinary research, and Chairs for making top-level teaching appointments, in particular to attract world-class researchers and encourage them to resume their careers in Europe.
• Institutions running research facility of transnational interest
  The infrastructure actions are of interest to institutions hosting an important research facility. They offer support for transnational access for guest researchers from Europe or other countries. Moreover, support will also be given for design studies and development of new infrastructures and for communication networks.
• Organisations and persons from third country
  International co-operation (=co-operation with third countries not being a member state or an associated state) is an integral part of FP6, with the following three complementary routes for participating and funding:
  1. The opening of the bulk of research activities to third country organizations
  2. Specific measures in support of international co-operation
  3. International mobility of researchers (fellowships to and from third countries)
• Others
  The list of potential participants is just exemplary, not exhaustive. Other entities like European Economic Interest Groups (EEIGs), European interest organisations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, end-users, specialist service providers (management, dissemination etc) and many others may also participate.

The European and international dimension

Following the principle of subsidiarity, projects have to be transnational: only consortia of partners from different member and associated countries can apply. For mobility and training actions the fellows have to go to a country different from their country of origin or residence. Activities that can better be carried out at national or regional level, i.e. without co-operation across borders will in general not be eligible under the Framework Programme.

Focus and concentration

FP6 does not cover all areas of science and technology (with the exception of some special actions). A limited number of thematic priorities have been identified. Detailed descriptions of these areas and specific topics will be given in the calls for proposals. Potential participants have to check carefully if their ideas for projects fit within the scope of these priorities and topics. Multidisciplinary proposals addressing several topics may be submitted.

:: The submission process

Submission of proposals is only possible in response to calls for proposals, which are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities Calls have strict deadlines which are enforced to the minute.
Special information packages are issued for each call comprising documents, explanations and forms which are needed for the preparation of a proposal.

:: The electronic submission

An electronic proposal submission system (EPSS) is offered and proposers are strongly encouraged to use electronic submission.

:: The selection process

Proposals are evaluated and selected for funding by the European Commission with the help of independent external experts (peer review). Evaluation criteria and a detailed description of the process of evaluation are published in advance. For successful proposals, the European Commission enters into (financial and scientific-technical) contract negotiation leading, eventually, to the signature of a contract.