General Information Sixth Framework Programme (FP6)

Website: ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/index_en.cfm

This Item, that covers the Commission's proposals for the 2002-2006 RTD framework programme, is based on an articles published in RTD Info, number 29 of April 2001.

On 21 February, the Commission adopted proposals to be submitted to the European Parliament and Council for the next framework programme for research and innovation. In contrast to that of its predecessors, the context in which the European Union must today implement its traditional research activities is fundamentally new and innovative - that of the European Research Area (ERA), of which the framework programme is becoming the financing arm.

This initiative, instigated by Philippe Busquin, Commissioner responsible for research, aims to provide the Union with a genuinely common strategy - comparable to that of the single market and currency - designed to strengthen Europe's scientific and technological dynamism on an increasingly global stage. The concept of the ERA was extremely well received by Europe's politicians who have given the Commission a very clear mandate to implement it. The projected global budget (including Euratom activities) is Euro 7.5 billion, a 17% increase on the previous framework programme. The framework programme consists of three main areas of action which reflect the main thrusts of the ERA.

1. Integrating research

The framework programmes to date have been instruments for stimulating and supporting collaboration between European researchers. Without actually disappearing, this mission must now be adapted to deliver the new strategy of the ERA by incorporating actions that will catalyse the integration of European research. In specific terms, this means two changes in the programme concept:

• concentration on a limited number of priority fields of research to which activities at the Union level can add real value (see table)
• strengthening of links between the Community. research effort and national and regional research policies.

In the priority areas, the new framework programme will work mainly by supporting the development of co-operation within networks of centres of excellence. These networks will bring together the best research capabilities in Europe's regions to conduct common research programmes, enabling the emergence of 'virtual platforms of excellence' on a European scale.

Substantial resources might also be allocated to support integrated projects involving public and private partners, with clearly stated scientific and technological objectives and with a view to generating new knowledge and/or applications in the priority fields. In this respect - and as authorised by the European Treaties - the new framework programme will innovate by using its powers of intervention to encourage active participation in research programmes jointly implemented by a limited number of Member States.

Budgetary proposal for the new framework programme 2002-2006 (in millions of Euros)

INTEGRATING RESEARCH	12770
Genomics and biotechnology for health	2000
Information society technology	3600
Nanotechnologies, intelligent materials, new production processes	1300
Aeronautics and space	1000
Food safety and health risks	600
Sustainable development and global change	1700
Citizens and governence in the European knowledge based society	225
Anticipating the EU's scientific and technological needs	2345
STRUCTURING THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA	3050
Research and innovation	300
Human resources	1800
Research information	900
Science/society	50
STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION OF THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA	450
Support for the co-ordination of activities	400
Support for the coherent development of policies	50
TOTAL (excluding Euratom Treaty)	16270
Funds allocated to research under the Euratom Treaty	1230
TOTAL BUDGET OF NEW FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME	17500

2. Structuring the European Research Area

The ERA aims to correct structural weaknesses or deficiencies which could be described as 'transverse'. The most notable of these, already widely covered by previous programmes, concern:

• the strengthening of bridges between research and innovation;
• the renewal of the human potential for research and mobility of researchers. There must be an active policy to make the ERA a more attractive area for scientific and technological research, not just to stop the traditional deficit caused by the 'brain drain', but also so that it attracts the best foreign researchers.

However, there are two specifically innovative aspects of the programme which are destined to play a particularly important role.

• Support for the development of research infrastructures. Until now the Union has mainly tried to attract European researchers to the existing infrastructures of the Member States. In addition to this support for the mobility of researchers, the new framework programme initiates a policy for the coherent development of infrastructures, in the form of integrated actions facilitating their networking and ability to deliver scientific services at a European level.
• The attention given to questions of 'science and society'. To achieve the necessary deepening of the Union's democratic foundations, better relations between 'science' and 'governance' and an improvement in the scientific and technological culture of the average European are seen as priorities by policy-makers, researchers and the general public.

3. Strengthening the foundations of the European Research Area

The new framework programme will also aim to strengthen one of its fundamental missions, which is to meet scientific and technological needs which arise in the implementation of Union policies in all fields where Community responsibilities are constantly growing - such as agriculture, fisheries, health and consumer protection, the environment, transport and the information society. The tasks assigned to the joint Research Centre will come under this key programme activity.

Another important aspect is support in improving the coordination and coherence of research activities, at national and European level. This search for better co-ordination, which embodies the very spirit of the ERA, will aim to create opportunities for the mutual opening up of national programmes and co-operation between existing European scientific and technological frameworks.

A third element of this action plan, the flexibility of which will be guaranteed by annual budget management, is increased anticipation of the scientific and technological needs of European policies and the often rapid responses these require.

Click to display Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) Items relating to:

Background Information
FP6 ERA-Net (European Research Area)
FP6 Projects
Life Science and Food Quality
NEST - New and Emerging Science and Technology
Nanotechnology and Materials
Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy