Seventh Framework Programme, European CommissionSeventh Framework Programme, European CommissionFP7_812e2707-8e52-4f61-ac9f-5b0d48a9eef6To bundle all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment_6362b8f8-f7a9-4582-8089-551a76ef8a5cCooperationSupport all types of research activities carried out by different research bodies in trans-national cooperation and gain or consolidate leadership in key scientific and technology areas._66c04bf8-a9fb-4efd-819e-d319636d891a1The specific programme on 'Cooperation' supports all types of research activities carried out by different research bodies in trans-national cooperation and aims to gain or consolidate leadership in key scientific and technology areas.FP7 allocates EUR 32 413 million to the Cooperation programme. The budget will be devoted to supporting cooperation between universities, industry, research centres and public authorities throughout the EU and beyond.The Cooperation programme is sub-divided into ten distinct themes. Each theme is operationally autonomous but aims to maintain coherence within the Cooperation Programme and allowing for joint activities cutting across different themes, through, for example, joint calls.The ten identified themes reflect the most important fields of knowledge and technology where research excellence is particularly important to improve Europe’s ability to address its social, economic, public health, environmental and industrial challenges of the future. Their continued relevance will be guaranteed by relying on a number of sources from the research sector, including the European Technology Platforms (ETP). Important themes identified in the Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) developed by the ETPs are therefore covered by the Cooperation programme.IdeasReinforce excellence, dynamism and creativity in European research and improve the attractiveness of Europe for the best researchers from both European and third countries, as well as for industrial research investment, by providing a Europe-wide competitive funding structure, in addition to and not replacing national funding, for ‘frontier research’ executed by individual teams._4c0927f3-6473-4875-b8a0-89ed36d33dff2PeopleStrengthen, quantitatively and qualitatively, the human potential in research and technology in Europe, by stimulating people to enter into the profession of researcher, encouraging European researchers to stay in Europe, and attracting to Europe researchers from the entire world, making Europe more attractive to the best researchers._de08105b-8944-40d6-bd74-28b026c3d4cc3CapacitiesEnhance research and innovation capacities throughout Europe and ensure their optimal use_e343b441-cfb9-46b2-b783-bf8bc7c3294c4Research infrastructuresOptimise the use and development of the best research infrastructures existing in Europe_2d8b482d-b6f8-47c1-940a-4ea1c10b723e4.1The overall objective of the ‘Research infrastructures’ part of the FP7 Capacities programme is to optimise the use and development of the best research infrastructures existing in Europe. Furthermore, it aims to help to create new research infrastructures of pan-European interest in all fields of science and technology. The European scientific community needs these to remain at the forefront of the advancement of research, and they will help industry to strengthen its base of knowledge and technological know how.Research for the benefit of SMEsStrengthen the 'innovation capacity' of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and their contribution to the development of new technology based products and markets_cc527cf6-185a-4bdb-968e-c900818ba3dc4.2The aim is to strengthen the 'innovation capacity' of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and their contribution to the development of new technology based products and markets. The programme will help them outsource research, increase their research efforts, extend their networks, better exploit research results and acquire technological know how, bridging the gap between research and innovation.Regions of knowledgeStrengthen the research potential of European regions_593c1f9c-040a-429d-8fc5-3db078268a124.3The ‘Regions of knowledge’ initiative aims to strengthen the research potential of European regions, in particular by encouraging and supporting the development, across Europe, of regional ‘research-driven clusters’, associating universities, research centres, enterprises and regional authorities. Research potential of Convergence RegionsUnlock and develop the research potential in the EU´s ‘convergence regions’ and outermost regions_c3788f70-2198-4486-b2d5-68b5db5636724.4Stimulating the realisation of the full research potential of the enlarged European Union by unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU´s ‘convergence regions’ and outermost regions, and helping to strengthen the capacities of their researchers to successfully participate in research activities at EU level.Science in SocietyStimulate the harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour and associated research policies into European society_15c2b421-215c-459e-acd5-7e59adb6de8d4.5With a view to building an effective and democratic European knowledge-based society, the aim is to stimulate the harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour and associated research policies into European society.Support to the coherent development of research policiesEnhance the effectiveness and coherence of national and European Community research policies and their articulation with other policies_afa74781-483f-4264-b880-8af1fe7ae8914.6This action aims to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of national and European Community research policies and their articulation with other policies, improving the impact of public research and its links with industry, and strengthening public support and its leverage effect on investment by private actors.International cooperationBecome more competitive and play a leading role globally_7bb17a3c-25d3-4371-bd68-fa69a57052b64.7To become more competitive and play a leading role globally, the European Community needs a strong and coherent international science and technology (S&T) policy with three objectives: support European competitiveness through strategic partnerships with non-EU countries in selected fields of science and by engaging the best scientists from such countries to work with and in Europe; enhance the production of knowledge and scientific excellence by enabling European universities, research institutions and firms to establish contacts with their partners in such third countries, thereby facilitating access to research environments outside Europe and promoting synergies on a global scale; address specific problems that third countries face, or that have a global character, on the basis of mutual interest and mutual benefit.2010-02-08http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/understand_en.htmlArthurColman (www.drybridge.com)colman@drybridge.com