CREST publishes guidelines on coordinated use of FP7 and Structural Funds to support R&D
CREST, the EU's scientific and technical research committee, has published a set of 14 recommendations to help Member States and Europe's regions to better exploit the synergies between the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and Structural Funds to boost research and development (R&D) performance. 'By working together they can help to mobilise research and technological development potential at regional, national and European level, improve and increase R&D investment in research (in view of the 3% Barcelona target) and contribute to regional economic and social development much more effectively than if they were employed separately,' reads the statement by the CREST Working Group. The report includes guidelines that provide 14 recommendations in six priority domains, namely the development of R&D strategies, the R&D base, research excellence, international cooperation, the exploitation of R&D results and the improvement of communication. In its report, CREST points out that the two instruments, the Structural Funds (SF) for cohesion policy and FP7 for research policy, share the common goal of creating more jobs and growth. As the new programming period for the two funding schemes will run for the same period, linking the two will also be made easier. The voluntary guidelines emphasise the role Member States and Europe's regions should play in defining and implementing their R&D strategies according to the strengths and needs of their territory. 'A regional strategy has to be thematically focused to be effective and efficient,' reads the recommendation. 'The successful development of the RTDI [research, technological development and innovation] system is based on developing existing strengths towards a competitive critical mass, but also creating new capacities in fields not yet well developed, or trying to overcome weaknesses,' it adds. 'I am particularly pleased that today's Council Conclusions and the Report by the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) are making a lasting contribution to better research conditions in Europe. Better coordination of the use of Structural Funds and Research Framework Programmes is an important element of sustainable investment in the future,' said German Research Minster Annette Schavan at the adoption of the CREST recommendations. The report was originally presented to the June 2007 Council meeting, but has only recently become available via the CORDIS Library.