EU Framework Programme
What is the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development?
The 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) is the umbrella over all research-related EU activities. Over a period of 7 years from 2007 to 2013, FP7 has been established to further construct the European Research Area (ERA) and comprises four specific programmes, namely Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities.
Under the Cooperation programme, funding possibilities for 10 thematic fields are offered, including specific international cooperation activities. While the Ideas programme aims at facilitating basic or 'frontier' research, the People programme focuses on researchers' career development and mobility.
The Capacities programme's objective is to enhance Europe's research and innovation capacities. The Capacities programme includes International Cooperation activities that are not tied to a specific field of research, but are developed in order to open the European Research Area and connect it to other parts of the world through policy dialogue, the creation of research networks or the development joint funding instruments.
The New INDIGO project is funded within the Capacities programme.
Can Indian researchers take part in FP-funded projects?
Yes, Indian researchers can participate to FP-funded projects.
In the Cooperation Programme:
- All calls for proposals are open to Indian beneficiaries, provided that the minimum requirement for European participants is met.
- In addition, Specific International Cooperation Actions (SICAs) in each thematic area are dedicated to India and other third countries where there is mutual interest on the basis of both the S&T level and the needs of the countries concerned.
- The third possibility is a Coordinated Call. It is a Framework Programme call that is closely coordinated with a similar call issued by a funding agency in India. Through the alignment of content, resources, timing, evaluation criteria and procedures, a coordinated call aims at generating joint or tightly coordinated projects, entailing a balanced partnership. Two such calls have been implemented so far, one with the DST (in Computational Material Sciences) in 2008, and with DBT (in Development of functional foods and ingredients and Valorisation of by-products in food processing).
In the People programme, International Incoming Fellowships are available for experienced researchers: for knowledge transfer with Europe, and enrichment of research collaboration. Researchers from India will be offered support to undertake research projects in Europe with a view to enhancing the possibility of future collaborative research links with Europe. In addition, International Outgoing Fellowships at postdoctoral level and beyond (with an in-built mandatory return phase) allow European researchers to pursue their work in India.
The main gate to FP funding is Cordis, the Community Research and Development Information Service which provides information on all EU-supported R&D activities. You can find information there on the open calls in the Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities programmes. You can also register to be notified by e-mail each time a call relevant to your area of expertise is published.
In order to increase your success rate when submitting proposals and to have as much time as possible to prepare it, you can also look at the yearly work programmes which announce in advance the future call topics.
Where can I find support?
The network of National Contact Points (NCPs) in EU Member States includes NCPs to facilitate INCO activities
The EUINEC project provides opportunities for stakeholders in both the EU and India to learn what FP7 is about and how they can take part in FP7.
Euro-India Research Centre (EIRC) is a platform to facilitate collaboration between Indian organisations and EU organisations for conducting joint Research and Development. EIRC will also assist organisations in accessing and benefiting from EU funding under the Seventh Framework Programme.
The Science and Technology pages of the website of the European Commission Delegation to India provide an introduction to the European Union’s research programmes and especially inform researchers and research organizations in India of the opportunities for participating in and receiving funding from these programmes.
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