In order to give Europe a competitive edge, the European Union launched the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7), which is the main instrument for funding research in Europe and will run from 2007 to 2013. The total budget is € 53 thousand million of which around 15 % is devoted to SMEs.
FP7 provides financial support for transnational research for and by SMEs wishing to innovate and improve their competitiveness, by enhancing their investment in research activities to acquire new knowledge for growth in Europe's knowledge-based economy.
FP7 is open to all types and sizes of business including start-ups, spin-offs, small, medium and large companies. In the different specific programmes of PF7 three have direct relevance for SMEs:
Research performing SMEs | Research performing SMEs | Research acquiring SMEs |
Thematic areas approach | Industry-academia pathways | Bottom-up |
Any company, large or small, active in Research and Development or interested in exploiting the results of R&D may participate in projects under these thematic domains. Each theme has a separate Call which contains all the details about how to apply, the political objectives and topics the Commission has defined. FP7 funding covers 50 % of the costs incurred by industry in such projects and 75 % for SMEs (see definition overleaf). The research topics are predefined and the size and duration of projects depends on the type of activity.
The 10 pre-defined topics:
Businesses that comply with the EU definition of SMEs as well as SME associations, who want to solve a shared problem, can apply for funding. Businesses are free to choose the research topic (bottom-up) as well as the (private or public) research partner(s). The main aim of this type of FP7 funding is to cover the costs of the partners who do the research. The SMEs and/or the SME associations acquire the rights to the results.
Any company, large or small may participate in a Marie Curie Action, in particular under the “Industry-Academia pathways and partnerships” scheme. This allows the company to fund researchers to work for them on a specific subject for a specific period or to participate in exchanges with academia. Find all Marie Curie funding opportunities to help companies and universities work hand in hand.
What is FP7?
European portal for SMEs
Marie Curie for your company
Euresearch organises a multitude of FP7 events. Check the ones that fit with your needs.
Don't miss the next workshops "Introduction to EU Research Funding (FP7) for Newcomers"
Find information on open and expected Calls of FP7 
here.
You would like to develop a new technology. Check that it is not already available in the market in our on-line Technology Database.
Enterprise Europe Network can also advice you on best practice for technology transfer and partnering. See all our services.