This scheme is now closed. The eighth framework programme funding research, technological development, and innovation is Horizon 2020.

The complete name of FP7 is 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. The programme has a total budget of over € 50 billion for the period 2007-2013. This represents a substantial increase compared with the previous Framework Programme FP6, a reflection of the high priority of research in Europe.

FP7 is a key tool to respond to Europe's needs in terms of jobs and competitiveness, and to maintain leadership in the global knowledge economy.

This money is (for the most part) spent on grants to research actors all over Europe and beyond, in order to co-finance research, technological development and demonstration projects. Grants are determined on the basis of calls for proposals and a peer review process, which are highly competitive.

Participation in FP7 is open to a wide range of organisations and individuals:

• research groups at universities or research institutes;
• companies intending to innovate;
• small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• SME associations or groupings;
• public or governmental administration (local, regional or national);
• early-stage researchers (postgraduate students);
• experienced researchers;
• institutions running research infrastructures of trans-national interest;
• organisations and researchers from third countries;
• international organisations;
• civil society organisations.

The above list is only indicative, not exhaustive.

Different participation rules apply, depending on the research initiative in question.

The Specific Programmes constitute the five major building blocks of FP7:

• Cooperation
• Ideas
• People
• Capacities
• Nuclear Research

The Cooperation programme is the core of FP7, representing two thirds of the overall budget. It fosters collaborative research across Europe and other partner countries through projects by transnational consortia of industry and academia. Research will be carried out in ten key thematic areas:

• Health
• Food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology
• Information and communication technologies
• Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies
• Energy
• Environment (including climate change)
• Transport (including aeronautics)
• Socio-economic sciences and the humanities
• Space
• Security

For more information on FP7, calls for proposals and ways you can get support and advice, please visit the official website.