2006/974/EC: Council Decision of 19 December 2006 on the Specific Programme: Capacities implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2006-12-19
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU programme, research and development, research policy, research programme, scientific progress, scientific research, technological change

30.12.2006 

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COUNCIL DECISION 

of 19 December 2006 

on the Specific Programme: "Capacities"  

implementing the Seventh Framework Programme 

of the European Community for research,  

technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)  

(Text with EEA relevance) 

(2006/974/EC) 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 166(4) 

thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament1, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee2, 

1 
2 

Opinion of 30 November 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). 
OJ C 185, 8.8.2006, p. 10. 

 
 
                                                 
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Whereas: 

(1) 

In accordance with Article 166(3) of the Treaty, Decision No 967/2006/EC of the 

European Parliament and of the Council of  20 december 2006 concerning the Seventh 

Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological 
development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the 

Framework Programme") is to be implemented through Specific Programmes that define 

detailed rules for their implementation, fix their duration and provide for the means 

deemed necessary. 

(2) 

The Framework Programme is structured in four types of activities: trans-national 

cooperation on policy-defined themes ("Cooperation"), investigator-driven research based 

on the initiative of the research community ("Ideas"), support of training and career 

development of researchers ("People"), and support of research capacities ("Capacities"). 

Activities under "Capacities" as regards indirect actions should be implemented by this 

Specific Programme. 

(3) 

The rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities and for the 

dissemination of research results, for the Framework Programme (hereinafter referred to as 

"the rules for participation and dissemination") should apply to this Specific Programme. 

1 

OJ L 391, 30.12.2006. 

 
                                                 
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(4) 

The Framework Programme should complement the activities carried out in the Member 

States as well as other Community actions that are necessary for the overall strategic effort 

for the implementation of the Lisbon objectives, alongside in particular those on structural 

funds, agriculture, education, training, culture, competitiveness and innovation, industry, 

health, consumer protection, employment, energy, transport and environment. 

(5) 

Innovation and SME-related activities supported under this Framework Programme should 

be complementary to those undertaken under the Framework Programme for 

Competitiveness and Innovation which will contribute to closing the gap between research 

and innovation, and promote all forms of innovation. 

(6) 

Implementation of the Framework Programme may give rise to supplementary 

programmes involving the participation of certain Member States only, the participation of 

the Community in programmes undertaken by several Member States, or the setting up of 

joint undertakings or other arrangements within the meaning of Articles 168, 169 and 171 

of the Treaty. 

(7) 

This Specific Programme should provide a contribution to the European Investment Bank 

(EIB) for the constitution of a "Risk-Sharing Finance Facility" in order to improve access 

to EIB loans. 

 
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(8) 

As provided for under Article 170 of the Treaty, the Community has concluded a number 

of international agreements in the field of research and efforts should be made to 

strengthen international research cooperation with a view to further integrating the 

Community into the world-wide research community. Therefore, this Specific Programme 

should be open to the participation of countries having concluded agreements to this effect 

and should be also open on the project level, and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the 

participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific 

cooperation. 

(9) 

Research activities carried out within this programme should respect fundamental ethical 

principles, including those which are reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the 

European Union. 

(10) 

The implementation of the Framework Programme should contribute towards promoting 

sustainable development. 

(11) 

Sound financial management of the Framework Programme and its implementation should 

be ensured in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while ensuring legal 

certainty and the accessibility of the programme for all participants, in compliance with 

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial 
Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities1 and 
Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) 2342/20022 laying down detailed rules for the 

implementation of that Financial Regulation and any future amendments. 

1 
2 

OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. 
OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC, 
Euratom) No 1261/2005 (OJ L 201, 2.8.2005, p. 3). 

 
                                                 
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(12) 

Appropriate measures – proportionate to the European Communities' financial interests - 

should be taken to monitor both the effectiveness of the financial support granted and the 

effectiveness of the utilisation of these funds in order to prevent irregularities and fraud 

and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly 

used in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 
18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests1, 

Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning 

on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the 
European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities2 and 

Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning 
investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)3. 

(13) 

Since the measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision are essentially 

management measures, they should therefore be adopted by the management procedure 

provided for in Article 4 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999, laying down 
the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission4. On 

the other hand research involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem 

cells raises specific ethical issues, as described in Article 4 of this Decision. Therefore, 

measures for the financing of such projects should be adopted by the regulatory procedure 

provided for in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC. 

1 
2 
3 
4 

OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1. 
OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2. 
OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1. 
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 
22.7.2006, p. 11). 

 
                                                 
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(14) 

The "Capacities" Specific Programme should have its own budget line in the General 

Budget of the European Communities. 

(15) 

In the implementation of this programme adequate attention needs to be paid to gender 

mainstreaming, as well as to, inter alia, the working conditions, transparency of 

recruitment processes, and career development as regards the researchers recruited on 

projects and programmes funded under the actions of this programme, for which the 

Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers 

and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers offers a reference 

framework, while respecting its voluntary nature, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 

The Specific Programme "Capacities" for Community activities in the area of research and 

technological development, including demonstration activities, hereinafter the "Specific 

Programme" is hereby adopted for the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. 

 
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Article 2 

The Specific Programme shall support the activities for "Capacities", supporting key aspects of 

European research and innovation capacities as follows: 

(a) 

research infrastructures; 

(b) 

research for the benefit of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); 

(c) 

regions of knowledge; 

(d) 

research potential; 

(e) 

science in society; 

(f) 

support for the coherent development of research policies;  

(g) 

activities of international cooperation. 

Implementation of this Specific Programme may give rise to supplementary programmes involving 

the participation of certain Member States only, the participation of the Community in programmes 

undertaken by several Member States, or the setting up of joint undertakings or other arrangements 

within the meaning of Articles 168, 169 and 171 of the Treaty. 

The objectives and the broad lines of these activities are set out in Annex I. 

 
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Article 3 

In accordance with Annex II of the Framework Programme, the amount deemed necessary for the 

execution of the Specific Programme shall be EUR 4 097 million, of which less than 6 % shall be 

for the Commission's administrative expenditure. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given 

in Annex II. 

Article 4 

1. 

All research activities carried out under the Specific Programme shall be carried out in 

compliance with fundamental ethical principles. 

2. 

The following fields of research shall not be financed under this programme: 

– 

– 

research activity aiming at human cloning for reproductive purposes, 

research activity intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings which 
could make such changes heritable1, 

– 

research activities intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of 

research or for the purpose of stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic 

cell nuclear transfer. 

1 

Research relating to cancer treatment of the gonads may be financed. 

 
                                                 
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3. 

Research on human stem cells, both adult and embryonic, may be financed, depending 

both on the contents of the scientific proposal and the legal framework of the Member 

State(s) involved. 

Any application for financing for research on human embryonic stem cells shall include, as 

appropriate, details of licensing and control measures that will be taken by the competent 

authorities of the Member States as well as details of the ethical approval(s) that will be 

provided. 

As regards the derivation of human embryonic stem cells, institutions, organisations and 

researchers shall be subject to strict licensing and control in accordance with the legal 

framework of the Member State(s) involved. 

4. 

The fields of research set out above shall be reviewed for the second phase of this 

programme (2010-2013) in the light of scientific advances. 

Article 5 

1. 

The Specific Programme shall be implemented by means of the funding schemes 

established in Annex III to the Framework Programme.  

2. 

Annex III to this Specific Programme sets out the arrangements for a grant to the European 

Investment Bank for the establishment of a Risk-Sharing Finance Facility. 

 
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3. 

Annex IV to this Specific Programme sets out a possible initiative for the joint 

implementation of national research programmes that could be the subject of a separate 

decision on the basis of Article 169 of the Treaty. 

4. 

The rules for participation and dissemination shall apply to this Specific Programme. 

Article 6 

1. 

The Commission shall draw up a work Programme for the implementation of the Specific 

Programme, setting out in greater detail the objectives and scientific and technological 

priorities set out in Annex I, the funding scheme to be used for the topic which proposals 

are invited, and the timetable for implementation. 

2. 

The Work Programme shall take account of relevant research activities carried out by the 

Member States, associated countries and European and international organisations, and the 

achievement of European added value as well as the impact on industrial competitiveness 

and the relevance for other Community policies. It shall be updated where appropriate. 

3. 

Proposals for indirect actions under the funding schemes shall be evaluated and projects 

selected considering the criteria set out in Article 15(1a) of the rules for participation and 

dissemination.  

 
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4. 

The Work Programme may identify: 

(a) 

organisations that receive subscriptions in the form of a membership fee; 

(b) 

support actions for the activities of specific legal entities. 

Article 7 

1. 

2. 

The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Specific Programme. 

The management procedure laid down in Article 8(2) shall apply for the adoption of the 

following measures: 

(a) 

the work programme referred to in Article 6 including the funding schemes to be 

used, the content of the calls for proposals and the evaluation and selection criteria to 

be applied; 

(b) 

any adjustment to the indicative breakdown of the amount as set out in Annex II; 

(c) 

the approval of the funding of activities referred to in points (a) to (g) of Article 2, 

where the estimated amount of the Community contribution under this programme is 

equal to, or more than, EUR 0,6 million; 

(d) 

the drawing up of the terms of reference for the evaluations provided for in 

Articles 7(2) and 7(3) of the Framework Programme. 

 
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3. 

The regulatory procedure laid down in Article 8(3) shall apply for the approval of the 

funding of activities involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells. 

1. 

2. 

Article 8 

The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee 

Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall 

apply. 

The period laid down for in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two 

months. 

3. 

Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall 

apply. 

The period laid down for in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two 

months. 

4. 

The Commission shall regularly inform the Committee of the overall progress of the 

implementation of the Specific Programme, and shall provide it with timely information on 

all RTD actions proposed or funded under this programme as specified in Annex V.  

5. 

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. 

 
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Article 9 

The Commission shall arrange for the independent monitoring, assessment and review provided for 

in Article 7 of the Framework Programme to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in 

the fields covered by the Specific Programme. 

This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal 

Article 10 

of the European Union. 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 19 December 2006. 

For the Council 

The President 

K. KORKEAOJA 

 
 
 
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ANNEX I 

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES,  

BROAD LINES OF THE THEMES AND ACTIVITIES 

INTRODUCTION 

This Specific Programme will enhance research and innovation capacities throughout Europe and 

ensure their optimal use. This aim will be achieved through: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Optimising the use and development of research infrastructures, 

Strengthening innovative capacities of SMEs and their ability to benefit from research, 

Supporting the development of regional research-driven clusters, 

Unlocking the research potential in the EU's convergence and outermost regions, 

Bringing science and society closer together for the harmonious integration of science and 

technology in European society,  

Supporting the coherent development of research policies, and 

Actions and measures in support of international cooperation. 

 
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The principle of sustainable development and gender equality will be duly taken into account. 

Furthermore, considerations of the ethical, social, legal and wider cultural aspects of the research to 

be undertaken and its potential applications, as well as socio-economic impacts of scientific and 

technological development and foresight, will where relevant form a part of the activities under this 

Specific Programme. 

Actions for the coordination of non-Community programmes may be undertaken in this Specific 

Programme making use of the ERA-NET scheme and the participation of the Community in jointly 

implemented national research programmes (Article 169 of the Treaty) as described in the 

Cooperation Specific Programme. 

Synergies and complementarities will be sought with other community policies and programmes 

such as Community's regional and cohesion policy, the Structural Funds, the Competitiveness and 
Innovation programme and relevant Education and Training Programmes1. 

1 

With a view to facilitating the implementation of the programme, for each meeting of the 
programme committee as defined in the agenda, the Commission will reimburse, in 
accordance with its established guidelines, the expenses of one representative per Member 
State, as well as one expert/adviser per Member State for those agenda items where a 
Member State requires specific expertise. 

 
                                                 
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Ethical aspects 

During the implementation of this Specific Programme and in the research activities arising from it, 

fundamental ethical principles are to be respected. These include, inter alia, the principles reflected 

in the Charter of fundamental Rights of the EU, including the following: protection of human 

dignity and human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as animals and the 

environment in accordance with Community law and the latest versions of relevant international 

conventions, guidelines and codes of conduct, e.g. the Helsinki Declaration, the Convention of the 

Council of Europe on Human Rights and Bio-medicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its 

Additional Protocols, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on 

the human genome and human rights adopted by UNESCO, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons 

Convention (BTWC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, 

and the relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions. 

Account will also be taken of the Opinions of the European Group of Advisers on the Ethical 

Implications of Bio-technology (1991-1997) and the Opinions of the European Group on Ethics in 

Science and New Technologies (as from 1998). 

In compliance with the principle of subsidiarity and the diversity of approaches existing in Europe, 

participants in research projects must conform to current legislation, regulations and ethical rules in 

the countries where the research will be carried out. In any case, national provisions apply and no 

research forbidden in any given Member State or other country will be supported by Community 

funding to be carried out in that Member State or country. 

 
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Where appropriate, those carrying out research projects must seek the approval of the relevant 

national or local ethics committees prior to the start of the RTD activities. An ethical review will 

also be implemented systematically by the Commission for proposals dealing with ethically 

sensitive issues or where ethical aspects have not been adequately addressed. In specific cases an 

ethical review may take place during the implementation of a project. 

No funding will be granted for research activities that are prohibited in all the Member States. 

The Protocol on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty requires the Community to 

pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and implementing Community 

policies including research. Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 24 November 1986 on the 

approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States regarding 
the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes1 requires that all 

experiments be designed to avoid distress and unnecessary pain and suffering to the experimental 

animals; use the minimum number of animals; involve animals with the lowest degree of 

neurophysiological sensitivity; and cause the least pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. Altering 

the genetic heritage of animals and cloning of animals may be considered only if the aims are 

ethically justified and the conditions are such that the animals' welfare is guaranteed and the 

principles of bio-diversity are respected. 

1 

OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1. Directive as amended by Directive 2003/65/EC of the European 
Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 230, 16.9.2003, p. 32). 

 
                                                 
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During the implementation of this programme, scientific advances and national and international 

provisions will be regularly monitored by the Commission so as to take account of any 

developments. 

Research on ethics related to scientific and technological developments will be carried out in the 

"Science in Society" part in this programme. 

1. 

RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES 

Objective 

Optimising the use and development of the best research infrastructures existing in Europe, and 

helping to create in all fields of science and technology new research infrastructures of 

pan-European interest needed by the European scientific community to remain at the forefront of 

the advancement of research, and able to help industry to strengthen its base of knowledge and its 

technological know how. 

 
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Approach 

For Europe to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, 

modern and effective research infrastructures are critical in achieving science and technology 

leadership. Research infrastructures play a key role in the creation of knowledge and technology 

and in their diffusion, application and exploitation, thus fostering innovation and contributing to the 

development of the European Research Area. Access to them is more and more indispensable in all 

fields of science and technology and for evidence-based policy-making. Many Research 

Infrastructures have evolved from large facilities dedicated almost exclusively to a specific 

discipline, into service facilities for a broad variety of scientific communities. Enabled by 

information and communication technology, recent concepts of infrastructure are also expanding to 

include distributed systems of hardware, software and contents with an enormous cumulative value 

as repositories of knowledge in many diverse disciplines. 

The proposed action will in particular contribute to the development, exploitation and preservation 

of knowledge, through its support to research infrastructures based both on a bottom-up, 

excellence-driven approach and a targeted approach. The strategic upgrade of information and 

communication based e-Infrastructures and virtual infrastructures is also seen as a driver in 

changing the way science is conducted. Member States will remain central in the development and 

financing of infrastructures. 

 
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The term "Research infrastructures" in the context of the Community Framework Programme for 

Research and Technological Development refers to facilities, resources or services that are needed 

by the research community to conduct research in all scientific and technological fields. This 

definition covers, including the associated human resources: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

major equipment or set of instruments used for research purposes, 

knowledge-based resources such as collections, archives, structured information or systems 

related to data management, used in scientific research, 

enabling Information and Communication Technology-based infrastructures such as Grid, 

computing, software and communications, 

any other entity of a unique nature that is used for scientific research. 

Only research infrastructures or networks of research infrastructures with clear interest for the 

European scientific community (academic, public and industrial), in terms of performance and 

access, can be considered for support. They must contribute significantly to the development of 

European research capacities. 

Regarding thematic research infrastructures in the "Cooperation" Specific Programme, overall 

coordination will be ensured by this programme. 

 
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Activities 

The activities will cover the following lines of action: 

– 

– 

optimising the utilisation of existing research infrastructures and improving their 

performance, 

foster the development of new research infrastructures (or major upgrades to existing ones) 

of pan-European interest, building primarily on the work of ESFRI (European Strategy 

Forum on Research Infrastructures), 

– 

support measures including support to emerging needs. 

1.1. 

Existing research infrastructures 

The research infrastructure actions will aim at strengthening European capacities and performance 

of specific research infrastructures, and increasing user communities' involvement in opportunities 

offered by research infrastructures and their commitment towards investment in top-level research. 

The activities will consist of the support to an optimisation of the European Research Infrastructures 

through "Integration" of capacities and efforts, leading to the most effective use of facilities, 

resources and services in all fields of science and technology and fostering "Transnational Access" 

to existing infrastructures. 

 
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1.1.1. 

Integrating Activities 

World-class research infrastructures need huge and long-term investments in resources (human and 

financial). They should be used and exploited by an as large as possible community of scientist and 

customer industries on a European scale. In addition, the optimisation and reinforcement of the 

Research Infrastructures capacities and performance at Community level need to be continuously 

promoted and improved to respond to emerging and growing scientific needs. This can be better 

achieved through the stimulation of their use and development, including upgrades, in a coordinated 

way. 

The Community should contribute to this objective through the promotion of Integrating Activities. 

They will ensure that European researchers, including researchers from industry, including SMEs 

and peripheral and outermost regions, may have access to the best research infrastructures to 

conduct their research, by supporting the integrated provision of infrastructure related services to 

the research community at European level and at international level where appropriate. Integrating 

activities should also aim at structuring better, on a European scale, the way research infrastructures 

operate, and at fostering their joint development in terms of capacity and performance. 

 
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Integrating Activities for existing research infrastructures will be implemented through: 

– 

"bottom-up" calls to catalyse the mutual coordination and the pooling of resources among 

infrastructures operators with the aim of fostering a culture of cooperation between them. 

Such activities should also aim at structuring better, on a European scale, the way research 

infrastructures operate and the way they can be accessed by potential users, at fostering 

their joint development in terms of capacity and performance and at promoting their 

coherent and cross-disciplinary use, 

– 

"targeted calls" when such focused actions will be clearly beneficial to support potentially 

important research infrastructures in the long term, and speeding up their emergence at 

Community level. They will be implemented in close cooperation with the activities taking 

place in the thematic areas to ensure that all the actions undertaken at European level in the 

Community framework respond to the needs for research infrastructures in their respective 
area. Domains can already be identified1 for better use and strengthening of existing 

European infrastructures, fulfilling long-term strategic needs of academic, public and 

industrial research stakeholders and the society at large, such as for life sciences and its 

applications, information and communication technologies, the development of industrial 

research including metrology, support for sustainable development and in particular in the 

area of environment, and for social sciences and humanities. 

1 

Also identified by ESFRI. 

 
                                                 
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1.1.2. 

ICT based e-Infrastructures 

The deployment of e-Infrastructures provides essential services for the research communities, based 

upon complex processes designed to bring the power of distributed ICT based resources 

(computing, connectivity, instrumentation) to virtual communities. The reinforcement of a 

European approach and of related European activities in this domain can make a significant 

contribution to boosting European research potential and its exploitation, consolidating 

e-Infrastructures as a cornerstone of the European Research Area, a "forerunner" of cross discipline 

innovation and a driver in changing the way science is conducted. It may also contribute to integrate 

research teams from peripheral and outermost regions. 

The activities proposed for e-Infrastructure, based on targeted calls for proposals, will aim at 

fostering the further development and evolution of high-capacity and high-performance 

communication (GÉANT) and grid empowered infrastructures as well as of European high-end 

computing capabilities stressing the need to support the reinforcement of world class distributed 

supercomputing facilities, data storage and advanced visualisation facilities. The activities will also 

aim at fostering the adoption by user communities where appropriate, enhancing their global 

relevance and increasing the level of trust and confidence, building on the achievements of GÉANT 

and Grid infrastructures and based on open standards for interoperability. 

 
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It will be necessary to support in a coordinated way digital libraries, archives, data storage, data 

curation and the necessary pooling of resources, at European level, to organise the data repositories 

for the scientific community and future generations of scientists. The aspects of enhanced trust and 

confidence of the data layer of the e-Infrastructures will be addressed. The activities proposed will 

also aim at anticipating and integrating new requirements and solutions to facilitate the emergence 

of large-scale test-beds designed to experiment with new disruptive technologies and to address 

new user requirements, including e-learning. The eIRG (e-Infrastructure Reflection Group) will 

assist on a regular basis with strategic recommendations. 

1.2. 

New research infrastructures 

This Specific Programme will help to promote the creation of new research infrastructures 

(including major upgrades of existing ones) focusing mainly on preparatory phases and on "unique" 

infrastructures with a crucial and pan-European impact for the development of relevant scientific 

fields in Europe. 

1.2.1.  Design Studies for new research infrastructures 

To promote the creation of new research infrastructures, though a bottom-up approach of calls for 

proposals, by funding exploratory awards and feasibility studies for new infrastructures. 

 
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1.2.2.  Support to construction of New Infrastructures 

To promote the creation of new research infrastructures in accordance with the principle of 

"variable geometry", building primarily upon the work conducted by ESFRI on the development of 

a European roadmap for new research infrastructures. The Work Programme will identify priority 

projects for possible Community support. 

The activity related to the construction of new infrastructures will be implemented in a two-stage 

approach on the basis of a list of criteria established in the Framework Programme. 

•  Stage 1: Supporting the preparatory phase 

This first stage will involve calls restricted to the priority projects identified by the Work 

Programme. The preparatory phase would involve the preparation of the detailed construction plans, 

of the legal organisation, of the management and multi-annual planning of the forecasted research 

infrastructure and the final agreement between stakeholders. During this preparatory phase the 

Commission will act as a "facilitator", in particular, in facilitating financial engineering mechanisms 

for the construction phase. 

 
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Stage 2: Supporting the construction phase 

In the second stage, building on the achieved technical, legal, administrative and financial 

agreements, using notably the complementarity between national and Community instruments (such 

as the Structural funds or the European Investment bank) and taking into account, where 

appropriate, the potential for scientific excellence of the convergence regions as well as the 

outermost regions, the construction plans would be implemented with the possible involvement of 

private financial institutions. The Framework Programme financial support for the construction 

phase may be provided to those priority projects for which there is a critical need for such support. 

In these cases, decisions will be taken through a mechanism that will depend on the nature and the 

level of funding required (e.g. direct grant; European Investment Bank loans, the access to which 

may be facilitated through the Risk-Sharing Finance Facility (Annex III); Article 171 of the Treaty). 

1.3. 

Support Measures, including support to emerging needs 

Strong coordination within the EU in formulating and adopting a European policy on Research 

Infrastructures is key to the success of this activity. Throughout the whole programme there will 

therefore be measures to support such coordination, including supporting the development of 

international cooperation. 

 
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These activities would be carried out mainly following periodic calls for proposals. They would be 

aimed at stimulating, in particular, the coordination of national programmes through ERA-NET 

actions, at supporting analysis of emerging needs, at supporting the work of ESFRI and eIRG, at the 

effective implementation of the programme (e.g. supporting conferences, expert contracts, impact 

studies, etc.) as well as the international dimension of the activities carried out under this Specific 

Programme. In the context of international cooperation, the activities carried out under this specific 

part of the capacity programme will also allow to identify the needs of specific third countries and 

mutual interests on which specific cooperation actions could be based and, on the basis of targeted 

calls, to develop cross-links between key research infrastructures in third countries and those within 

the European Research Area. 

2. 

RESEARCH FOR THE BENEFIT OF SMEs 

Objectives 

Strengthening the innovation capacity of European SMEs and their contribution to the development 

of new technology based products and markets by helping 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. 

 
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Approach 

SMEs are at the core of European industry. They should be a key component of the innovation 

system and in the chain of transformation of knowledge into new products, processes and services. 

Faced with an increasing competition in the internal market and globally, European SMEs need to 

increase their knowledge and research intensity, enhance the exploitation of research, expand 

geographically their business activities and internationalise their knowledge networks. Most 

Member States' actions relevant to SMEs do not encourage and support trans-national research 

cooperation and technology transfer. Actions at EU level are necessary to complement and enhance 

the impact of actions undertaken at national and regional level. 

Specific actions will be implemented to support SMEs or SME associations in need of outsourcing 

research: mainly low-to medium-technology SMEs with little or no research capability. 

Research-intensive SMEs may participate as providers of research services or outsource research to 

complement their core research capability. These actions will be carried out in the entire field of 

science and technology with a bottom-up approach. Actions will include support of demonstration 

and other activities to facilitate the exploitation of research results, ensuring complementarity with 

the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. The evaluation of the project proposals will take 

due account of the expected economic impact for the SMEs. Financial means will be allocated 

through two schemes: Research for SMEs and Research for SME associations. 

 
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The first targets mainly low- to medium-technology SMEs with little or no research capability, but 

also research intensive SMEs who need to outsource research to complement their core research 

capability. The second targets SME associations which are normally best placed to know or identify 

the common technical problems of their members, to act on their behalf, and to promote the 

effective dissemination and take-up of the results. 

Coordination and support actions under "Research for the benefit of SMEs" will include the 

coordination of national/regional programmes targeting SMEs and supporting best practice, 

dissemination and exploitation of results, enhancing access of SMEs to the Seventh Framework 

Programme and assessing the impact. 

Actions could also build upon relevant national research programmes, complementing the research 
activities below1. 

In addition to these specific actions, the participation of SMEs across the Framework Programme 

will be encouraged and facilitated. The research needs and potential of SMEs are duly taken into 

account in developing the content of the thematic areas of the "cooperation" programme, which will 

be implemented through projects of different sizes and scope depending on the field and topic. 

During the implementation of the Community RTD Framework Programme, complementarity and 

synergy will be ensured with the actions of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework 

Programme to encourage and facilitate the participation of SMEs in the Community RTD 

Framework Programme. 

1 

This could include possible joint implementation of programmes targeting research 
performing SMEs, building on Eureka. 

 
                                                 
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Activities 

The following two SME specific schemes will be implemented: 

•  Research for SMEs 

This scheme supports small groups of innovative SMEs to solve common or complementary 

technological problems. Projects, which are relatively short term, must be centred on the innovation 

needs of the SMEs which outsource research to RTD performers and must demonstrate a clear 

exploitation potential for the SMEs concerned. 

•  Research for SME associations 

This scheme supports SME associations to develop technical solutions to problems common to a 

large number of SMEs in specific industrial sectors or segments of the value chain through research 

needed, for example, to develop or conform to European norms and standards, and to meet 

regulatory requirements in areas such as health, safety and environmental protection. Projects, 

which can have a duration of several years, must be driven by the SME associations which 

outsource research to RTD performers for the benefit of their members and must involve a number 

of individual SMEs. 

•  Common features of the schemes 

– 

Other enterprises and end-users can participate in the schemes if it is in the interest of the 

SMEs or the SME associations. 

 
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– 

The projects should include, in addition to research, activities to promote the take-up and 

effective exploitation of the research results, such as, testing, demonstration, training, 

technology transfer, knowledge management and IPR protection. For Research for SME 

associations, projects should also include activities to disseminate effectively the research 

results to the members of the SME associations, and if appropriate, more widely. 

– 

Special rules will apply for ownership and access rights for the two schemes. 

The clear focus will be to support research projects. In addition, support will be granted to national 

schemes providing financial means to SMEs or SME associations to prepare proposals for actions 

under "Research for the benefit of SMEs" with the aim of encouraging the establishment of new 

national schemes or expansion of the existing ones. 

3. 

REGIONS OF KNOWLEDGE 

Objectives 

Strengthening 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. 

 
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Approach 

Regions are increasingly recognised as important players in the EU's research and development 

landscape. At the same time evidence indicates that investment in R&D improves regional 

attractiveness while increasing competitiveness of local businesses. R&D intensive clusters rang 

among the best drivers of such investment activity resulting in direct gains in local competitive 

advantage with beneficial effects in terms of growth and jobs. The 2003 Pilot Action Regions of 
Knowledge1 confirmed the importance of such clusters and the interest to support and encourage 

their development. 

This action will enable European regions to strengthen their capacity for investing in RTD, while 

maximising their potential for a successful involvement of their stakeholders in European research 

projects and facilitating the emergence of clusters, thereby promoting regional development in 

Europe. Actions will facilitate the creation of regional clusters which contribute to the development 

of the European Research Area. Increased and more focused use of Structural Funds for R&D 

investment and activities will be also pursued by improving synergies between Regional and 

Research Policies primarily by producing regional research strategies which regional authorities can 

integrate into their economic development strategy. 

Attention will be paid specifically to cooperation between adjacent regions in different Member 

States. 

1 

A pilot action on "Regions of Knowledge" was introduced into the 2003 Community budget 
at the initiative of the European Parliament. This was followed by another Call for proposals 
under the 6th Community FP for RTD (2004) under the "Coherent development of policies" 
programme. 

 
                                                 
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"Regions of Knowledge" aims at supporting the definition and implementation of optimal policies 

and strategies for the development of R&D driven clusters. In particular it will improve the 

relevance and effectiveness of regional research agendas through mutual learning; promote and 

strengthen cooperation between clusters; and contribute to strengthening the sustainable 

development of existing R&D driven clusters as well as foster seed-beds to create new ones, in 

particular in emerging Regions of Knowledge. Support will be provided in particular for 
demand-driven and problem-oriented projects addressing specific technological areas or sectors1. 

This action will apply to all regions, including Convergence2 ones. 

Activities 

Projects would normally involve regional authorities, regional development agencies, universities, 

research centres, and industry as well as where appropriate technology transfer, financial or civil 

society organisations. Regions of Knowledge projects will cover the following activities: 

1 
2 

This does not exclude the combination of different technological areas where relevant. 
Convergence regions are those set out in Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) 
No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional 
Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund – (OJ L 239, 
1.9.2006, p. 248). This includes "convergence" objective regions, regions eligible for 
funding from the Cohesion fund, and outermost regions. 

 
                                                 
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•  Analysis, development and implementation of research agendas of regional or cross-border 

clusters and cooperation between them. These will include analysis as well as an implementation 

plan focusing on R&D capacity and priorities. Projects will use foresight, benchmarking or other 

methods, demonstrating expected benefits, such as strengthened links between clusters involved, 

optimised involvement in European research projects and higher impacts on regional 

development. They could also prepare for interregional pilot actions. These activities aim in 

particular at encouraging improved complementarity between Community regional funds and 

other Community and national funds. 

•  "Mentoring" of regions with a less developed research profile by highly developed ones based 

on R&D focused cluster building. Transnational regional consortia will mobilise and associate 

research actors in academia, industry and government to deliver "guidance" solutions with and 

for technologically less developed regions.  

•  Initiatives to improve integration of research actors and institutions in regional economies, 

through their interactions at cluster level. These will include transnational activities to improve 

links between research stakeholders and the local business communities as well as relevant 

activities between clusters. With the aim of demonstrating benefits of integration, these activities 

could contribute to the identification of RTD complementarities. 

 
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Support will also be provided for activities to promote systematic mutual information exchange as 

well as interactions between similar projects and where appropriate, with actions of other relevant 

Community programmes (e.g. analysis and synthesis workshops, round-tables, publications), 

emphasising the involvement notably of candidate and Associated Countries as well as Member 

States which joined the EU after 1 May 2004. 

4. 

RESEARCH POTENTIAL 

Objective 

Stimulating the realisation of the full research potential of the enlarged Union by unlocking and 

developing existing or emerging excellence 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 Community level. 

 
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Approach 

In order to support the realisation of the full research potential of the enlarged Union, a dedicated 

action will seek to unlock the potential of research groups, in particular in the convergence regions 

and outermost regions of the European Union, that are currently not using their possibilities to the 

full or that are in need of new knowledge and support to exploit their potential. The actions will 

very much build on past and existing measures such as the European Centres of Excellence in the 

then Acceding and Candidate Countries in the 5th FP and Marie Curie Host fellowships for 

Transfer of Knowledge. They will also complement efforts to be undertaken by the European Social 

Fund under the new Cohesion Policy (2007-2013) focusing on developing human potential for 

research at national level in the eligible areas. 

By focusing on the strengthening and expansion of the collaborations of such research groups with 

research centres in other EU Member States or associated countries, an important contribution will 

be made to unlocking their potential and with that to their long-term sustained development. 

Through optimising their international exposure and recognition, leadership potential and quality of 

their scientists, the visibility of these research groups will be increased and their participation in the 

European Research Area facilitated. 

 
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Activities 

The action will favour in particular strategic partnerships, including twinning, between research 

groups both from public and private sector, in the convergence regions or outermost regions of the 

EU, selected on the basis of quality and high potential, with well established research groups 

elsewhere in Europe. Particular emphasis will be put on the expected longer-term effects of the 

partnership both at EU and regional level. With a view to realising their full potential (i.e. to 

strengthen their knowledge, to develop additional competence including in research management, 

or to gain visibility), the action will comprise support to the selected research groups in the 

qualifying regions in the frame of the research programmes developed within the strategic 

partnerships for: 

•  exchange know-how and experience through trans-national two-way secondments of research 

staff between the selected centres in the qualifying regions and one or more partner organisations 

in another EU Member State or associated country, with in-built obligatory return mechanisms 

for seconded staff originating from the selected centres in the qualifying regions; 

•  the recruitment by the selected centres, of existing or emerging excellence, of incoming 

experienced researchers, including managers, for involvement in transfer of knowledge and/or in 

the training of researchers, including as a means to particularly encourage the return of nationals 

having left the country; 

 
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•  the acquisition and development of certain research equipment and the development of a material 

environment for the selected centres of existing or emerging excellence in support of the 

research programmes developed within the strategic partnership; 

•  the organisation of workshops and conferences to facilitate knowledge transfer at regional, 

national and international level involving both the selected centres' own research staff and 

invited researchers, from other countries in the frame of the development of the selected centres' 

international training capacity and reputation; participation of the research staff of the centres 

selected under the scheme at international conferences or short term training events, for 

knowledge sharing, network building and to expose them to a more international environment; 

•  dissemination and promotional activities to ensure increased visibility of the selected centres and 

their activities. 

In addition, and independently of this support measures, the action will provide evaluation facilities 

through which any research centre in the qualifying regions, whether or not applying for funding, 

can obtain an international independent expert evaluation of the level of their overall research 

quality and infrastructures. This evaluation would be carried out by high-level, independent 

international experts nominated by the Commission. 

 
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5. 

SCIENCE IN SOCIETY 

Objective 

With a view to building an open, effective and democratic European Knowledge society, the aim is 

to stimulate the harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour and associated 

research policies in the European social web, by encouraging at European scale reflection and 

debate on science and technology, and their relation with the whole spectrum of society and culture. 

Approach 

"Science in society" represents a significant expansion and extension of the pilot work undertaken 

in the Sixth Framework Programme, commensurate with the raised ambition of the European 

research policy. 

The development of European societies largely depends on their capacity to create, exploit and 

disseminate knowledge and, from there, continuously to innovate. Scientific research, as part of the 

"knowledge triangle" of research, education and innovation, plays a major role in this regard, and 

should remain one of the driving forces in promoting growth, welfare and sustainable development. 

 
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To achieve this aim, it is imperative that a social and cultural environment conducive to successful 

and exploitable research be created. This means that legitimate societal concerns and needs are 

taken on board, entailing an enhanced democratic debate with a more engaged and informed public, 

and better conditions for collective choices on scientific issues, and the possibility for civil society 

organisations to outsource research in relation to their concerns. It should also establish a climate 

favourable to scientific vocations, a new surge of research investments and the subsequent 

dissemination of knowledge upon which the Lisbon strategy is built. This activity will also aim at 

the full integration of women into the scientific world. 

This section of the Capacities programme will then focus on the development of a set of conditions 

by which such a conducive environment becomes the norm rather than the exception in Europe. 

The risk of a scientific divide within our societies needs to be addressed in the first place. It 

separates those who do not have access to relevant knowledge from the few who do; those who are 

not able to influence policy-making in research from those who are. This leads to the ambiguous 

feelings expressed by citizens regarding the potential benefits from science and technology, and 

their effective subordination to public scrutiny. On the one hand, they readily invite more research 

to address the outstanding problems of the present time (diseases, pollution, epidemics, 

unemployment, etc) and to better anticipate their possible impacts in the future. On the other hand, 

they cannot help showing distrust for certain uses of science and possible interferences of vested 

interests in decision-making processes. 

 
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Among the causes for an often less than satisfactory integration of science in society are the 

following: 

•  insufficient public participation in priority-setting and in establishing science policy directions, 

which would allow a wider debate on possible associated risks and consequences; 

•  growing reservations with regard to certain scientific developments, the feeling of lack of 

control, and open questions concerning the respect of fundamental values; 

•  the perceived isolation of the world of science from the everyday realities of economic and social 

life; 

•  questioning the objectivity of scientific evidence made available to public policy-making; 

•  insufficient quality of scientific information available to the public. 

The chosen approach aims to: 

– 

– 

– 

render more inclusive and transparent the mechanisms for access to, and validation of the 

expertise necessary to underpin more robust policies, 

set landmarks for an ethically sound research endeavour in the light of fundamental rights, 

allow Europe to play a more active role on the world stage, in the debate and promotion of 

shared values, equal opportunities and societal dialogue, 

 
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– 

bridge the gap between those who have a scientific education and those who do not, 

promote a taste for scientific culture in the direct neighbourhood of all citizens (calling 

upon cities, regions, foundations, science centres, museums, civil society 

organisations, etc.), 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

encourage a societal dialogue on research policy, and stimulate civil society organisations 

to become more involved in research activities, 

explore ways to improve governance of the European research and innovation system, 

provide an image of science and researchers which is meaningful to all, especially to 

young people, 

promote the progress of women in scientific careers and better use their professional and 

scientific talents for the benefit of all, 

renew science communication, favouring modern means to achieve higher impact, helping 

scientists to work closely with media professionals. 

"Science in Society" will be implemented through: 

•  policy-related actions and research supported directly from this theme; 

 
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•  cooperation between Member States, identifying common goals, and reinforcing national 

practices, in the spirit of the open method of coordination; 

•  promoting, supporting and monitoring the uptake and impact of "Science in Society" issues in 

other parts of the Framework Programme1. The overall coordination of issues related to Science 

in Society both across the Framework Programme and within other relevant Community 

activities (e.g. relating to education and culture) will be ensured by this theme. 

Three action lines will be pursued. 

First action line: A more dynamic governance of the science and society relationship 

•  Strengthening and improving the European science system 

There is such an expectation placed upon the European science system to sustain our innovation 

potential that society must gain a deeper insight into its constituents, its own economy, its 

regulations and its habits. Three aspects of broad significance, focusing on the actors and dynamics 

of the European Research Area, will be tackled: 

– 

improving the use, and monitoring the impact, of scientific advice and expertise for 

policy-making in Europe (including risk management), and developing practical tools and 

schemes (e.g. electronic networks), 

– 

promoting trust and self-regulation in the scientific community, 

1 

Include the running of the ethical review procedures for proposals addressing sensitive 
issues under the 'Cooperation' specific programme. 

 
                                                 
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– 

encouraging the debate on information dissemination, including access to scientific results 

and the future of scientific publications, taking also into account measures to improve 

access by the public. 

•  Broader engagement to anticipate and clarify political, societal and ethical issues 

Society's aspirations and concerns, and fundamental ethical principles, need to be better integrated 

throughout the research process, creating a more secure and constructive environment for 

researchers and for society as a whole. Three aspects come into play, as follows: 

– 

– 

– 

broader engagement on science-related questions, 

conditions for an informed debate on ethics and science, 

greater emphasis on discussion within the research community of the social aspects of 

research. 

•  Better understanding of the place of science and technology (S&T) in society 

In order to address the relationship between science and society through sound policies, the 

knowledge accumulated in the history, S&T heritage, sociology and philosophy of sciences needs to 

be expanded, consolidated and spread at European level. To this end, scholars from these 

disciplines should form networks to structure research and debates capable of revealing the real 

participation of science in building a European society and identity, stressing in particular: 

– 

relationships between science, democracy and law, 

 
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– 

– 

– 

– 

research on ethics in science and technology, 

the reciprocal influence of science and culture, 

the role and the image of scientists, 

public understanding of science and promotion of public debate. 

•  The evolving role of universities 

Work will aim at supporting the appropriate reforms enabling universities to fully play their role in 

the creation, dissemination and sharing of knowledge, together with industry and society at large (in 

line with Community initiatives on university-based research). The emphasis will be on: 

– 

– 

– 

defining better framework conditions for more efficient university research, 

promoting the establishment of structured partnerships with the business sector, having 

regard to universities' research management capacities, 

reinforcing knowledge-sharing between universities and society at large. 

 
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Second action line: Strengthening potential, broadening horizons 

•  Gender and research 

Based on policy orientations contained in the Commission staff working paper and Council 
conclusions1 and other relevant Community policy orientations, a framework for positive actions 

will be implemented to reinforce the role of women in scientific research, and to enhance the gender 

dimension of research. This framework will provide the context for policy debate, monitoring, 

coordination and underpinning research. It will comprise: 

– 

– 

– 

strengthening the role of women in scientific research and in scientific decision-making 

bodies, 

gender dimension of research, 

mainstreaming gender in Community research policy and programmes. 

1 

"Women and science: excellence and innovation – gender equality in science" – 
SEC(2005) 370; Council conclusions of 18 April 2005. 

 
                                                 
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•  Young people and science 

Activities will be designed to attract more people from all backgrounds into scientific careers, foster 

links across generations, and raise the level of scientific literacy generally. European exchanges and 

cooperation will concentrate on science teaching methods adapted to young audiences, support for 

science teachers (concepts, materials), developing the linkages between schools and professional 

life. In addition, events with a broad European scope may be supported which bring together 

distinguished scientists – as "role models" – and aspiring young scientists. Underpinning research 

will be addressed, taking into account social contexts and cultural values. Three aspects have been 

retained: 

– 

– 

– 

supporting formal and informal science education in schools as well as through science 

centres and museums and other relevant means, 

reinforcing links between science education and science careers, 

research and coordination actions on new methods in science education. 

 
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Third action line: Science and society communicate 

Activities will promote effective two-way communication channels that enable the public and 

policy-makers to engage with science, and scientists to engage with the public. The approach will 

favour closer cooperation and exchange of best practice between scientists and media professionals, 

but also a greater involvement of target groups, namely children and young people, researchers 

going to the public, and the specialised press. The effort will focus on: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

the provision of reliable and timely scientific information for the press and other media, 

training actions to bridge the gap between the media and the scientific community, 

encouraging a European dimension at science events targeting the public, 

promoting science by audio-visual means via European co-productions and the circulation 

of science programmes, 

promoting excellent trans-national research and science communication by the means of 

popular prizes, 

research aimed at enhancing inter-communication concerning science, both in its methods 

and its products, to raise mutual understanding between the scientific world, and the wider 

audience of policy-makers, the media and the general public. 

 
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6. 

SUPPORT FOR THE COHERENT DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH POLICIES 

Objective 

Enhancing the effectiveness and coherence of national and 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. 

Approach 

The activities undertaken in this part will support the coherent development of research policies, 

complementing the coordination activities under the Cooperation programme, and contributing to 

Community policies and initiatives (e.g. legislation, recommendations and guidelines) that aim to 

improve the coherence and impact of Member States policies. 

These activities will contribute to the implementation of the Lisbon strategy, in particular to the 3 % 

investment in research objective, by assisting Member States and the Community in developing 

more effective research and development policies. The aim is to improve public research and its 

links with industry and foster private investment in research by strengthening public support and its 

leverage effect on private investment. This calls for adaptability of research policies, the 

mobilisation of a broader range of instruments, coordination of efforts across national boundaries 

and the mobilisation of other policies to create better framework conditions for research. 

 
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Activities  

Two action lines will be pursued1: 

First action line: Monitoring and analysis of research-related public policies and industrial 

strategies, including their impact 

The objective is to provide information, evidence and analyses in support of the design, 

implementation, evaluation and trans-national coordination of public policies. This will include: 

•  An information and intelligence service (ERAWATCH) to support evidence-based research 

policy making and to contribute to the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA) by 

providing a better understanding of the nature, constituent elements and evolution of national 

and regional research policies, initiatives and systems. This will include regular analyses, from a 

European perspective, of issues relevant to research policy making, notably: factors driving the 

evolution of research systems and their implications for policies and governance structures; 

emerging issues/challenges and policy options; and a review at the European level of Member 

States' progress towards ERA and the 3 % objective. 

1 

The activities related to strengthening and improving the European science system, such as 
questions of scientific advice and expertise and contributing to "better regulation", are 
addressed by the Science in Society part of this Specific Programme. 

 
                                                 
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•  An industrial research investment monitoring activity to provide a self-consistent and 

complementary source of information to help steer public policy and to allow firms to 

benchmark their R&D investment strategies, inter alia in sectors of key interest to the EU 

economy. This will include periodic scoreboards of firm-and sector-level R&D investment, 

surveys of private R&D investment trends, analysis of factors affecting R&D investment 

decisions and practices of firms, analysis of economic impacts, and assessment of policy 

implications. 

•  Development and analysis of indicators on research activity and its impact on the economy. 

This will include the preparation and publication of national and regional science and technology 

key figures and scoreboards using official statistical indicators wherever appropriate; the 

assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of Member States' R&D systems; and the analysis of 

EU's position and performance in scientific and technological research. 

These activities will be carried out in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre as well as 

through studies and expert groups. 

Second action line: Coordination of research policies 

The aim is to strengthen, on a voluntary basis, the coordination of research policies via: 

•  actions to support the implementation of the open method of coordination; and  

 
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•  trans-national cooperation initiatives undertaken at national or regional level on issues of 

common interest, involving where appropriate other stakeholders (including industry, European 

organisations and civil society organisations). 

These activities will address issues of common interest related to research and other relevant 

policies that should be mobilised for the realisation of the ERA and the attaining of the EU 3 % 

research investment goal. They will: contribute to the development of more effective national and 

regional policies through mutual learning and peer-review; encourage concerted or joint initiatives 

between groups of countries and regions interested in areas involving a strong trans-national 

dimension or spill-over; and where appropriate, identify issues requiring complementary and 

mutually reinforcing action at Community and Member States' level. 

Initiatives undertaken by several countries and regions may cover activities such as peer-review of 

national and regional policies, exchange of experience and personnel, joint evaluations and impact 

assessments, and the development and implementation of joint initiatives. 

7. 

ACTIVITIES OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 

Objective 

To become competitive and play a leading role at world level, the European Community needs a 

strong and coherent international science and technology policy. The international actions carried 

out under the different programmes within the Framework programme will be implemented in the 

context of an overall international cooperation strategy. 

 
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This international policy has three interdependent objectives: 

– 

to support European competitiveness through strategic partnerships with third countries in 

selected fields of science and by engaging the best third country scientists to work in and 

with Europe, 

– 

– 

to facilitate contacts with partners in third countries with the aim of providing better access 

to research carried out elsewhere in the world, 

to address specific problems that third countries face or that have a global character, on the 

basis of mutual interest and mutual benefit. 

 
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Approach 

In order to identify and establish the priority areas of research of mutual interest and mutual benefit 
with targeted third countries (International Cooperation Partner Countries1) for the specific 

international cooperation actions of the Cooperation Specific Programme ongoing policy dialogues 

and partnership networks will be enhanced with the different regions in these third countries to 

provide input to help implement these actions. Coherence of national activities on international 

scientific cooperation will be enhanced by supporting the coordination of national programmes (of 

Member States and Associated countries) through multilateral coordination of national RTD 

policies and activities. Cooperation with third countries in the Framework Programme will be 
targeted in particular at the following groups of countries2: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

1 
2 

3 
4 
5 

6 

Candidate countries3, 

Mediterranean partner countries (MPC), Western Balkans countries (WBC)4 as well as the 
Eastern European and Central Asian countries5 (EECA), 

Developing countries, focusing on the particular needs of each country or region 
concerned6, 

Emerging economie6. 

See Rules for participation. 
At present 9 Mediterranean Partner Countries and 6 countries of Eastern Europe and Central 
Asia are part of the European Neighbouring Policy. 
Other than associated Candidate Countries. 
Other than associated potential Candidate Countries. 
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, 
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. 
Noting that Latin America includes both developing countries and emerging economies. 

 
                                                 
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The theme-oriented international cooperation research actions are carried out under the Cooperation 

Specific Programme. The international actions in the area of human potential are carried out under 

the People Specific Programme. Horizontal support actions and measures with a focus other than a 

specific thematic or interdisciplinary area covered in the "Cooperation" programme will be 

implemented, and could be supplemented, in a limited number of cases, by specific cooperation 

actions of mutual interest. The overall coordination of the international cooperation actions under 

the different programmes will be strengthened with a view to ensuring a coherent approach and 

developing synergies with other Community instruments (e.g. IPA, European Neighbouring Policy 

Instrument, ALA regulation, and Development Aid schemes). Taking into account the experience 

gained through INTAS and building on its work in the framework of cooperation with the Eastern 

European and Central Asian countries, activities providing continuity will be undertaken through 

this programme and the "Cooperation" and "People" programmes. 

The Commission will ensure the coordination of international cooperation activities throughout the 

entire Framework Programme including policy dialogue with partner countries, regions and 

international fora. 

 
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Activities 

The main activities to develop jointly agreed international scientific cooperation policies are: 

•  Bi-Regional coordination of S&T cooperation including priority setting and definition of 

S&T Cooperation policies 

Community S&T cooperation for priority setting will be based on a comprehensive policy dialogue 

with partner countries and regions in recognition of their socio-cultural conditions and research 

capacities. This dialogue for S&T cooperation is carried out at multiple levels, such as through 
international fora (the various UN conventions), institutionalised bi-regional dialogues1 including: 

Asia-Europe Meetings (ASEM); Latin America, Caribbean and EU (EU-LAC); the Mediterranean 

and Western Balkan Partnerships; the EU-ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) States and Eastern 
Europe and Central Asia2, and bilateral and multilateral agreements as well as through informal 

trans-regional meetings of scientists and other societal partners. 

1 

2 

Bi-regional dialogue in this context means the dialogue between the Member States, the EC 
and the third countries concerned. 
Which also could involve the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) and the 
Science and Technology Centre (STCU). 

 
                                                 
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The highest priority will be given to the strengthening of bi-regional/bilateral dialogues to guide and 

set the framework for international S&T cooperation and joint identification of research areas for 

mutual interest and benefit. Such dialogue and partnership in S&T constitutes the most effective 

way of achieving globally and mutually agreed objectives, with respect to regional and country 

level specific needs. Consequently, international S&T cooperation in the Framework Programme 

will be governed in a coherent way through integrated research policy formulation resulting from 
these dialogues and from S&T agreements1. 

These initiatives will be implemented through specific international cooperation activities that will 

develop the bi-regional dialogue in close consultation with Member States, Associated Countries 

and International Cooperation Partner Countries. 

This priority setting and the definition of S&T Cooperation policies will have direct and measurable 

impacts on the other activities foreseen for International S&T Cooperation under the Capacities 

Specific Programme, namely: enhancement and development of S&T Agreements, S&T 

Cooperation Partnerships and a positive synergistic effect on the coordination of national policies 

and activities on international S&T cooperation. 

Within the framework of S&T Agreements, in accordance with the defined priorities, the 

identification of new, emerging elements deserving actions and endorsement at political level to be 

implemented by the themes will be given priority. 

1 

Considering the Community's interests, agreements have been concluded with all major 
industrialised or emerging economy partners, and with almost all countries included in the 
European Neighbourhood Policy. 

 
                                                 
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In addition, the participation of scientists in national research programmes of third countries will 

allow the full exploitation of the possibilities of the S&T Agreements and will allow the scientists to 

acquire knowledge of third country research systems and their cultures in a reciprocal way. For this, 

the Framework Programme will cover the cost of research participation of scientists from Member 

States and associated countries in the national research programmes of the third countries where 

there is mutual interest and benefit. Such collaboration will take place on a competitive basis. 

The joint projects developed within above dialogues and S&T cooperation Agreements will be 

needs-driven and will have significant size in terms of partnerships, competences and financing as 

well as having an important socio-economic impact. The projects will be targeted specifically on 

the priorities identified through the policy dialogue of S&T cooperation within the regional fora, 

and there will be specific calls per region or groups of International Cooperation Partner Countries. 

The output of these dialogues will contribute to the determination of the priorities and needs for the 

specific international cooperation actions in the different themes in the Cooperation Specific 

Programme. 

•  Bilateral coordination for the enhancement and development of S&T partnerships 

The realisation of identified priorities will be further elaborated and turned into actions by setting 

up equitable S&T Cooperation Partnerships regrouping multiple stakeholders (partners from 

research, industry, government and civil society) for research capacity building and research 

actions. These have proved to be the most suitable mechanism to mobilise the strengths of these 

partners synergistically. These Partnerships will require pluridisciplinary approaches to tackle 

diverse needs on a global, regional and/or country level. 

 
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The development of S&T Partnerships will be based on bi-regional leadership and coordination of 

political initiatives in defined priority areas. These will be operated by steering groups composed by 

a limited number of representatives from each region, open to all partners in the regions concerned, 

taking into account their interests and research capacities. These partnerships will promote joint 

research activities and permanent policy dialogue on the efficiency and effectiveness of the 

cooperation implemented as well as on identification of future needs. 

•  Supporting coordination of national policies and activities of Member States and associated 

countries on international S&T cooperation 

In order to promote/encourage an effective and efficient international scientific Community 

cooperation strategy at EU level, a continuous coordination of national policies is essential to 

realise commitments undertaken through the S&T bi-regional and bilateral dialogues. 

This coordination will reinforce the efficiency and impact of the ongoing bilateral S&T cooperation 

initiatives between Member States and International Cooperation Partner Countries and enhance the 

positive synergies between them. It will also enhance complementarities between Community and 

Member States S&T cooperation activities. 

Furthermore it will support the implementation of a "shared vision" by facilitating innovative 

programmatic approaches and working more closely among and with Member States in developing 

and implementing a coherent cooperation in EU science and technology. 

 
 
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ANNEX II 

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF THE AMOUNT (in EUR million) 

Research Infrastructures1 

Research for the benefit of SMEs 

Regions of Knowledge 

Research Potential 

Science in Society 

Coherent development of research policies 

Activities of International Cooperation 

TOTAL 

1 715

1 336

126

340

330

70

180

4 097

1 

Including a contribution of up to EUR 200 million to the European Investment Bank for its 
Risk-Sharing Finance Facility, as referred to in Annex III. An amount in the order of 
EUR 100 million will be committed in annual instalments for the period 2007-2010. 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
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ANNEX III 

Risk-Sharing Finance Facility 

In accordance with Annex II, the Community will provide a contribution (coordination and support 

action) to the European Investment Bank (EIB) which will be a risk-sharing partner for the 

Risk-Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF). RSFF, which will be co-funded by the Community and the 

EIB, is aimed at fostering private sector investment across Europe in research, technological 

development and demonstration (RTD) as well as innovation. 

The Community contribution will increase the capacity of the Bank to manage risk, thus allowing 

for (i) a larger volume of EIB lending and guarantee operations for a certain level of risk, and (ii) 

the financing of riskier European RTD actions that would not be possible without such Community 

support, thus helping overcome market deficiencies. It will aim at: 

•  adding value in areas where the market cannot provide the required funding; and 

•  providing catalytic effect in leveraging private investment. 

The Community contribution will be committed to RSFF in line with the provisions set out in 

Annex II. 

The EIB will lend funds raised from international financial markets and provide guarantees to its 

financing partners in accordance with its standard rules, regulations and procedures. 

 
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It will use this contribution on a "first come, first served basis", as provisions and capital allocation 

within the Bank to cover part of the risks associated with its operations supporting eligible 

European RTD actions. 

Based on its financial evaluation, the EIB will assess the level of financial risks and decide the 

value of the provision and capital allocation. 

The risk assessment and grading, and the resulting decisions on provisioning and capital allocation, 

will follow standard procedures of the Bank, under its Structured Finance Facility, approved and 

monitored by its shareholders and as updated and modified from time to time. They will not be 

altered as a result of the Community contribution. 

The risk to the Community budget is limited to the amounts paid or committed to be paid. There 

will be no contingent liability for the Community budget, as any remaining risk is borne by the EIB. 

The Community contribution will be disbursed annually based on a multi-annual plan and taking 

into account the evolution of demand. The annual amount will be established in the Work 

Programme, on the basis of the activity report and forecasts presented by the EIB. 

 
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The agreement to be concluded with the EIB, following close consultations with Member States, 

will establish terms and conditions under which the Community funds can be used as provisions 

and capital allocation. It will include the following terms and conditions: 

•  The eligibility of Community RTD actions. By default, the development of research 

infrastructures funded by the Community under this Specific programme shall be automatically 

eligible. Legal entities established in third countries other than Associated Countries are also 

eligible if they participate in FP7 indirect actions and their costs are eligible for Community 

funding. Other research infrastructures of European interest could also be considered.  

RSFF will be offered in all Member States and Associated Countries in order to ensure that all 

legal entities, irrespective of size (including SMEs and research organisations, including 

universities) in all Member States, may benefit from this facility for the funding of their 

activities in eligible actions. 

Innovation activities of a commercial nature are eligible for RSFF only via the use of the EIB's 

own contribution. 

•  In accordance with the regulation on Rules for Participation adopted pursuant to Article 167 of 

the Treaty, the agreement will also establish procedures for the Community to object, in duly 

justified cases, to the use of the Community contribution by the EIB. 

 
 
 
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•  The rules for defining the share of the financial risk that will be covered by the Community 

contribution and the risk threshold beyond which the EIB can use the Community contribution as 

well as sharing of corresponding income. 

The level of the Community contribution for each operation shall depend on the financial risk 

evaluation carried out by the EIB. The level of total provisioning and capital allocation for the 

majority of RSFF operations is expected to fall within the range of 15 %-25 % of the nominal 

value of such operations. In no case shall the level of total provisioning and capital allocation 

amounts of the Community contribution exceed 50 % of the nominal loan or guarantee value. 

There will be risk sharing under each operation. 

•  The arrangements by which the Community will monitor the EIB lending and guarantee 

operations related to the Community contribution, including operations through the 

EIB financing partners. 

The EIB may use the Community contribution only for operations approved between the date of 

entry into force of this Specific Programme and 31 December 2013. 

Interests and incomes generated by the Community contribution during this period shall be reported 

annually by the EIB to the Commission, which shall inform the European Parliament and the 

Council. In accordance with Article 18(2) of the financial regulation, they shall be considered as 

assigned revenues to the RSFF and entered into the budget. 

 
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When adopting the Work Programme, the Commission may decide to reallocate, for the purpose of 

any other indirect actions of the "Research Infrastructure" of this Specific Programme, any amount 

not used by RSFF and, therefore, recovered from the EIB, after mid-term evaluation referred to in 

Annex II of the Framework Programme. The mid-term evaluation will include an external 

assessment of the impact of the RSFF. 

The Commission will closely monitor the effective use of the Community Contribution, including 

ex-post assessments of the successful features of the action, and regularly report to the Programme 

Committee. In addition, the Commission will include main findings in this respect to the annual 

report on research and technological development activities which it will send to the European 

Parliament and the Council pursuant to Article 173 of the Treaty. 

 
 
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ANNEX IV 

Joint implementation of non-Community research programmes 

One initiative for the joint implementation of national research programmes is identified below, on 

an indicative basis, and could be the subject of a separate decision on the basis of Article 169 of the 

Treaty. Further initiatives may be identified and proposed during the implementation of the 

Seventh Framework Programme. 

Were such a decision to be taken, a dedicated implementation structure would be set up, together 

with the organisational structure and appropriate governance bodies necessary for the 

implementation of the action. In accordance with Annex II, the Community could provide financial 

support to the initiative up to the amount set out in Annex II and could participate actively in the 

implementation by the means which are most appropriate for the action. 

Article 169 (EC Treaty) initiative in the field of Research Performing SMEs 

The aim will be to launch and implement a joint R&D programme for the benefit of research 

performing SMEs with the objective of boosting their research and innovation capability. Building 

on EUREKA, it will stimulate and support transnational R&D projects led by such SMEs. This 

initiative complements other SME-targeted actions carried out in the context of the Seventh 

Framework Programme. 

The Community will provide financial support for the initiative and will participate in the 

implementation by the means which are most appropriate for the action. 

 
 
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ANNEX V 

Information to be provided by the Commission in accordance with Article 8(5) 

1. 

Information on actions, enabling the monitoring of the entire lifetime of each proposal, 

covering in particular: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

submitted proposals, 

evaluation results for each proposal, 

grant agreements, 

completed actions. 

2. 

Information on the outcome of each call and implementation of actions, covering in 

particular: 

– 

the results of each call, 

 
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– 

– 

the outcome of negotiations on grant agreements, 

implementation of actions, including payment data and outcome of actions. 

3. 

Information on programme implementation, including relevant information at the level of 

the Framework Programme, the Specific Programme and each activity. 

This information (in particular, on proposals, their evaluation and grant agreements) should be 

provided in a uniform structured electronically-readable and treatable format accessible through an 

IT-based information and reporting system which readily enables data analysis.