The Seventh Framework Programme for Research & Technological Development (FP7): Overview
The Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (FPs) are the European Union's main financial instrument for supporting research and development activitiesacross awide rangeof scientific disciplines.
The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is designed to build on the achievements of its predecessor (FP6) towards the creation of the
European Research Area, and carry it further towards the development of the knowledge economy and society in Europe.Its two main strategic objectives are to:
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Strengthen the scientific and technological base of European industry;
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Encourage its international competitiveness, while promoting research that supports EU policies.
Budget
The programme will runfor seven years from January 2007 until 2013, andhas a total budget of over €50 billion. This budget will, for the most part, be allocated to research actors all over Europe and beyond, in order to co-finance research, technological development and demonstration projects.