SMEs in FP7 : a hands-on guide.
Date: 2008-02-06
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Subjects: competitiveness, organisation of research, research programme, small and medium-sized enterprises, user guide

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FP7 provides fi nancial support for transnational research for and by SMEs wishing to innovate and improve their competitiveness, 
by enhancing their investment in research activities to acquire new knowledge for growth in Europe’s knowledge-based economy. 
Four specifi c Programmes comprise the major building blocks of FP7, three of which have direct relevance for SMEs. These are: the 
Cooperation Programme which will promote collaborative research; the People Programme which will develop human potential;
and the Capacities Programme which will strengthen research capacity.

This publication is designed as a step-by-step guide showing SMEs exactly where and how they can obtain funding to help their 
businesses grow.

SMES IN FP7: 
A HANDS-ON 
GUIDE

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Directorate-General for Research 

SME Unit

E-mail: research@ec.europa.eu

Contact: Martina Daly

European Commission 

B-1049 Brussels

Tel. (32-2) 29-90645

Fax (32-2) 29-63261

E-mail: martina.daly@ec.europa.eu

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

SMES IN fP7: 
A hANdS-ON 
GUIdE

2007

Directorate-General for Research

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TAbLE Of 
CONTENTS

WHAT IS FP7? ................................................................................................................................................................... p 4

RESEARCH PERFORMING SMEs ......................................................................................................................................... p 10

Cooperation ..................................................................................................................................................... p 10

People .............................................................................................................................................................p 18

What is EUROSTARS? .........................................................................................................................................p 19  

RESEARCH ACQUIRING SMEs ........................................................................................................................................... p 20

Capacities  ...................................................................................................................................................... p 20

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INTROdUCTION

even  further  afield,  to  co-finance  research, 
technological development and demonstration 
projects.  Project  proposals  are  submitted  on 
the basis of Calls for Proposals. They undergo 
an evaluation process and selected proposals 
will receive a grant. 

Activities  funded  by  FP7  must  demonstrate 
‘European  added  value’.  One  key  aspect 
of this is the transnationality of many actions 
with  research  projects  being  carried  out  by 
consortia with partners from different European 
and  other  countries.  Bringing 
together 
researchers and research teams from different 
countries  will  help  counter  the  fragmentation 
of the European research landscape. 

whAT IS fP7?

While  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme 
(FP7) is the European Union’s chief instrument 
for  the  public  funding  of  research,  an 
increase  in  private  funding  of  research  and 
development  (R&D)  is  one  of  the  key  goals 
of  the  EU’s  Lisbon  Strategy  to  become  the 
“most dynamic competitive knowledge-based 
economy  in  the  world”.  Research  is  a  key 
component  of  the  ‘knowledge  triangle’  and 
along  with  education  and  innovation,  it  lies 
at the core of the EU’s strategy for delivering 
growth, competitiveness and employment. 

FP7  brings  all  research-related  EU  initiatives 
together  and  is  a  pillar  of  the  European 
Research Area (ERA), a major step towards the 
development  of  a  knowledge  economy  and 
society  in  Europe.  The  Seventh  Framework 
Programme  for  Research  and  Technological 
Development will last seven years and has a 
total budget of over EUR 50 billion.

SMES ANd RESEARCh - 
CREATING kNOwLEdGE 
fOR GROwTh

FP7 provides financial support for transnational 
research  for  and  by  SMEs  wishing  to 
innovate  and  improve  their  competitiveness, 
by  enhancing  their  investment  in  research 
activities to acquire new knowledge for growth 
in Europe’s knowledge-based economy. 

Just 

Four specific programmes comprise the major 
building  blocks  of  FP7,  three  of  which  have 
direct  relevance  for  SMEs.  These  are:  the 
Cooperation programme which will promote 
collaborative research; the People programme 
which will develop human potential; and the 
Capacities  Programme  which  will  strengthen 
research  capacity. 
like  any  other 
organisation, research teams from SMEs can 
compete in the fourth Ideas programme, on the 
basis of excellence. This programme supports 
investigator driven carried out across all fields 
by  individual  teams  competing  at  European 
level, in all scientific and technological fields, 
including engineering. For its implementation, 
a European Research Council (ERC), consisting 
of  an  independent  Scientific  Council  and  a 
dedicated implementation structure, has been 
established  by  the  Commission  under  this 
specific  programme.  More  information  can 
be found at: 
http://erc.europa.eu

The  money  will  go  towards  grants  to 
from  all  over  Europe  and 
researchers 

4 / SMES IN fP7: A hANdS-ON GUIdE

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whO CAN PARTICIPATE IN fP7?

dOES My ORGANISATION qUALIfy AS AN SME?

Participation  in  the  Framework  Programme 
may  include  any  company,  research  centre, 
organisation or individual legally established 
in any country. This includes SMEs and SME 
associations  and  groupings,  provided  that 
the  minimum  conditions  as  laid  down  in  the 
Rules for Participation in FP7 (RFP) have been 
met.  It  should  be  remembered  that  different 
participation  rules  apply  according  to  the 
research initiatives in question.

fall 

Countries 
into  different  categories 
with  varying  eligibility  for  different  work 
programmes.  These  include  the  27  Member 
States 
countries, 
candidate countries and third countries.

associated 

(EU-27), 

For  further  information,  contact  the  Research 
Enquiries  service,  which  acts  as  the  first 
point  of  contact  for  potential  participants  in 
FP7.  This  single  helpdesk  can  answer  your 
questions regarding all aspects of EU-funded 
research and help those new to participating 
in framework research programmes.

Visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries  

If you can answer yes to all four of the following questions then your organisation qualifies as 
an SME as defined by the EU.

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Is the organisation an enterprise, i.e. 
engaged in economic activity?

YES

NO

Does it have fewer than 250 employees?

YES

NO

Does it have an annual turnover not 
exceeding EUR 50 million?* Or Does it have 
a balance sheet total not exceeding EUR 
43 million?* To answer Yes, at least one of 
these conditions must be met. 
*according to its most recent audited account

YES

NO

Is it autonomous?

YES

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For a definition of autonomy, and to learn how your organisation may qualify 
as an SME even if it is not autonomous, see the detailed definition on the SME 
TechWeb or take the test on-line.
Visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/sme-techweb

INTROdUCTION / 5

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-

whICh SORT Of SME ARE yOU?

For the purpose of FP7, small and medium-sized enterprises may be divided into two broad 
categories i.e. Research Performing SMEs who have the ability to conduct research “in-house” 
and Research Acquiring SMEs who need to outsource to a university or research centre. Which 
of these two groups does your organisation fall into?

EU fUNdING 
fOR SMES

RESEARCH 
PERFORMING 
SMES 

OUTSOURCING 
RESEARCH

COOPERATION PEOPLE

EUROSTARS

CAPACITIES

RESEARCH 
FOR SMES

RESEARCH FOR 
SME
ASSOCIATIONS

EraSME

CORNET

10 THEMES MARIE CURIE

INDUSTRY
ACADEMIA
PATHWAYS

JTIS

6 / SMES IN fP7: A hANdS-ON GUIdE

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-

whAT ARE ThE MAIN INITIATIvES fOR SMES IN fP7?

whERE CAN SMES fINd 
SUPPORT? 

 The three complementary pillars supporting SMEs in FP7 include:

SME Techweb

Cooperation

People

 Capacities

RESEARCH 
PERFORMING SMEs

RESEARCH 
PERFORMING SMEs

RESEARCH ACQUIRING 
SMEs

THEMATIC AREAS 
APPROACH

INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA 
PATHWAYS

BOTTOM-UP

for 

SME  TechWeb  offers  information  for  SMEs 
wishing  to  take  part  in  EU  research.  It  has 
been  set  up 
technology  orientated 
companies  that  would  like  to  innovate  and 
internationalise.  Using  plain  language  and 
offering  numerous  examples  of  projects,  the 
information  available  is  especially  useful  for 
any SME applying for research funding. Visit: 
http://ec.europa.eu/research/sme-techweb

SME  National  Contact  Points  (NCPs)  are 
valuable  providers  of 
information  and 
guidance  to  SMEs  wishing  to  participate 
in  EU-research  and  can  offer  personalised 
support in the proposer’s own language. The 
NCPs  are  usually  national  structures  set  up 
and  financed  by  the  governments  of  the  27 
EU Member States and the states associated 
to  the  framework  programme.  In  addition  to 
SME  NCPs  there  are  also  thematic  NCPs 
for  each  of  the  themes  in  the  Cooperation 
programme.  Their  role  is  to  be  strengthened 
throughout the lifetime of FP7 (2007-2013). A 
complete  list  of  NCPs  for  FP7  can  be  found 
at:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ncp_en.html

General fP7 information

The People programme will encourage greater 
participation  by  SMEs  through  the  ‘Industry 
Academia partnerships and pathways’ Marie-
Curie action.

The  Capacities  programme  ‘Research  for 
the  benefit  of  SMEs’  aims  to  strengthen  the 
capacity of mainly low-tech research-acquiring 
SMEs that find it necessary to outsource their 
research  needs.  These  schemes  cover  both 
SMEs and their Associations.

The  coordination  activities  of  two  ERA-NET 
initiatives specifically for SMEs are also funded 
under  the  Capacities  programme.  These  are 
EraSME and CORNET. 

EraSME  networks  are  national  and  regional 
programmes to promote cooperation between 
individual SMEs and research organisations.

For  information  regarding  related  research 
Proposals,  work 
for 
activities,  Calls 
programmes,  and  schemes  in  FP7,  visit  the 
following websites:

CORNET  seeks  to  improve  the  efficiency  of 
collective research programmes and activities 
in Europe and is aimed at SME associations.

In  addition,  the  EUROSTARS  programme 
co-funded  by  EUREKA  countries  and  the 
Community  offers  research-performing  SMEs 
the  opportunity  to  partake  in  international 
collaborative  research  projects.  This  is  a  six-
year  programme  and  is  expected  to  start  in 
2008.

CORDIS: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home.html
Europa: http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/
Information requests:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries/
EU research: http://ec.europa.eu/research

hOw CAN SMES 
PARTICIPATE IN fP7?
The  European  Commission  will  fund  projects 
under  FP7  after  selecting  project  proposals 
which are submitted following the publication 
of  a  ‘Call  for  Proposals’.  The  calls  are 
announced on the FP7 Calls Page on CORDIS. 
The  Community  Research  and  Development 
Information Service - CORDIS - (http://cordis.
europa.eu)  is  a  huge  internet  information 
system  comprising  information  on  past  and 
on-going projects, current Calls for Proposals, 
partner search facilities, an electronic proposal 
submission  system  (EPSS)  and  many  more 
features. The proposal process is triggered by 
the  Call.  The  legal  text  of  the  Call  contains 
the  necessary  information  specifying  how  to 
prepare  and  submit  a  proposal.  Proposals 
failing  to  meet  the  specifications  of  the  Call 
will be disqualified.

SMEs  are  actively  encouraged  to  take  part 
in  all  research  actions,  especially  those 
appearing  under  the  research  themes  of  the 
Cooperation  programme.  The  programme 
is  intended  to  optimise  the  participation 
of  research  performing  SMEs  as  a  result 
of  simplified 
funding  and  administrative 
procedures and greater flexibility in choosing 
funding schemes. Individual work programmes 
will develop dedicated strategies to increase 
SME  participation  and  will  identify  areas  of 
particular interest to SMEs.

The Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) established 
under 
the  Cooperation  programme  are 
public-private  partnerships  that  will  promote 
participation  by 
industry.  SMEs  may 
contribute to the development of a JTI and to 
the implementation of its activities.

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INTROdUCTION / 7

 
SME PARTICIPATION IN fP7 RESEARCh PROjECTS, 
STEP by STEP

1. identify relevant Call for Proposals

2. obtain call-specific documentation and forms

SMES

SMES

3. establish consortium of researchers, developers and end-users*

4. prepare research proposal 

5. submit proposal to Commission by call deadline

proposal not eligible

6. evaluation and ethical review

proposal not selected

7. contract negotiation and consortium agreement**

negotiation fails

8. contract signature

9. launch project, begin work

* “developers and end-users” are not required in a consortium for Marie Curie IAPPs
** “consortium agreements” are optional for Marie Curie IAPPs

8 / SMES IN fP7: A hANdS-ON GUIdE

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GETTING INvOLvEd IN fP7

Step 1: Identify relevant Calls for Proposals. 
The first task is to identify on CORDIS a Call that is relevant to your SME or to an idea you may 
have for a research project. Find out when a Call for Proposals will be published and when it 
will close. http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm 

Step 2:  Obtain call-specific documentation and forms. 
The Commission publishes a separate information package which includes a comprehensive 
Guide for Proposers that offers practical advice for preparing and submitting proposals under 
each Call.

Step 3: Establish a consortium of researchers, developers and end-users. 
The proposer must recruit partners to form a consortium capable of undertaking all aspects of 
the intended project. Partners may be identified through established scientific and commercial 
networks or the Partner Search service on CORDIS. This is a free on-line service, tailor-made to 
help your organisation find the most suitable research partners for your projects. This may be 
in the context of EU-funded Research and Development projects or within a wider search for 
technology-focused partnerships. The Partners’ Service provides details on thousands of active 
partnership requests from companies, research institutions and universities from across Europe 
and around the globe. The CORDIS Partners’ search, tailored to the FP7 is found at http://
cordis.europa.eu/fp7/partners_en.html

Step 4: Prepare a research proposal.
Proposers should use the Commission’s Electronic Proposal Submission System (EPSS). This web-
based application provides a secure on - line workspace for consortium members to prepare 
and submit their joint proposal. This application will be available under each Call. 

Step 5: Submit the proposal to the Commission by Call deadline.
Calls have strict deadlines which are clearly stated on the first page of the Guide for Proposers. 
Submissions  received  by  the  Commission  after  the  deadline  are  ineligible.  Assistance  with 
completing the proposal is available from the relevant National Contact Points.  A complete list 
of NCPs for FP7 can be found at:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ncp_en.html 

Step 6: Evaluation and ethical review.
All EU-funded research projects are evaluated by a board of experts. They must also comply 
with  a  strict  ethical  code  in  order  to  ensure  that  the  Commission  is  not  supporting  research 
which might violate fundamental ethical principles.

Step 7: Contract negotiations and Contract Agreement. 
The terms and conditions regulating European projects are contained in two documents, the 
Grant Agreement between the consortium and the European Commission and the Consortium 
Agreement signed only by the partners. Both contain the arrangements made for intellectual 
property rights, valorisation and the dissemination of results.

Step 8: Contract Signature

Step 9: Launch project, begin work!  

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INTROdUCTION / 9

RESEARCh PERfORMING 
SMES 

Research Performing SMEs enjoy support in three major ways:
• Cooperation Programme
• Marie Curie (People Programme)
• EUROSTARS 

COOPERATION

The Cooperation Programme is the heart of FP7 and represents two thirds of the overall budget. 
It is intended to facilitate collaborative research across Europe through transnational consortiums 
of industry. Research is carried out under 10 themes, each of which has its own dedicated 
SME strategy. It is foreseen that at least 15% of the funding available under the Cooperation 
Programme goes to SMEs. The major initiatives that favour the involvement of SMEs include 
selection of SME-relevant topics, SME dedicated Calls, a budget earmarked for SMEs within 
specific Calls, and coordination and support actions. It should be noted that SME participation 
is not uniform across the themes. Particular attention has been paid to ensure enhanced SME 
participation  within  the  various  Calls  for  Proposals,  particularly  with  regard  to  knowledge-
intensive SMEs. Research in the interest of SMEs is promoted with an explicit reference to the 
expected impact upon SMEs. The expected results of these projects must be of interest and 
potential benefit to SMEs, and the consortia should have a significant share of the requested 
EC funding going to SMEs. 

Areas  of  particular  interest  to  SMEs  have  been  identified  in  individual  work  programmes. 
Financial and administrative procedures have been simplified and funding rates for the R&D 
activities of SMEs have been increased to 75%. There is also greater flexibility in choosing the 
appropriate type of project. The 10 research themes include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

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

what  are  joint  Technology  Initiatives 
(jTIs)?
The  JTIs  will  build  on  European  Technology 
Platforms (ETPs) by bringing together different 
partners to undertake projects that cannot be 
reached  via  the  Calls  for  Proposals,  where 
enhanced  collaboration  and  considerable 
investment are essential to long-term success. 
The JTIs aim to establish long-term public-private 
partnerships in research at the European level. 
They  are  large-scale  multi-financed  actions 
intended  to  coordinate  research  efforts  and 
respond  to  the  needs  of  industry,  leading 
to  flagship  projects  for  increasing  European 
competitiveness.  Under 
the  Cooperation 
Programme, six fields are currently envisaged, 
including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Innovative Medicines (IMI)
Nanoelectronics Technology 2020   
(ENIAC)
Embedded Computing Systems 
(ARTEMIS)
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)
Aeronautics and Air Transport (‘Clean 
Sky’)
Global Monitoring for Environment and 
Security (GMES)

Other possible themes are to be identified at 
a later date.

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hEALTh

Research SMEs are the main economic drivers 
of  healthcare,  biotechnology  and  medical 
technologies.  Their  innovative  potential  has 
been  recognised  and  their  participation 
in  EU-supported  research  is  being  actively 
sought. The involvement of high-tech SMEs in 
the health and biotechnology sectors gained 
momentum during FP6 and they are now set 
to  play  an  even  more  prominent  role  in  FP7. 
SMEs  that  provide  a  service,  for  example 
management or intellectual property expertise, 
are also able to participate.

EUR  6  billion  are  dedicated  to  the  Health 
theme in the Seventh Framework Programme, 
of  which  at  least  15%  (EUR  900  million)  is 
expected to go to SMEs.

A priority of the Health theme is the inclusion 
of ‘high-tech’ SMEs in most projects throughout 
the work programme.

focused 

SME  input  in  research  and  innovation  is 
particularly  encouraged  in  certain  specific 
topics  for  Collaborative  Projects  (small  or 
medium-scale 
research  projects) 
targeted  to  SMEs.  The  expected  results  of 
these  projects  should  clearly  be  of  interest 
and  potential  benefit  to  SMEs.  The  relevant 
consortia  should  have  at  least  40%  of  the 
requested  EC  contribution  going  to  SMEs 
(those  projects  should  not  necessarily  be 
coordinated by the participating SMEs).

Objectives

The  objective  of  this  theme  is  to  improve 
the  health  of  Europe’s  citizens  and  increase 
the  competitiveness  of  companies  active 
in  the  European  health  sector.  At  the  same 
time, it seeks to address major health issues, 
such  as  emerging  epidemics.  The  emphasis 
will  be  on  translational  research  (translating 
research results into clinical applications), the 
development and validation of new therapies, 
methods  of  health  promotion  and  disease 
prevention, diagnostic tools and technologies, 
as well as sustainable and efficient healthcare 
systems. 
A  special  focus  will  be  put  on  child  health, 
the  ageing  population,  gender 
issues, 
international cooperation, patient groups and 
SME participation. 

Areas of health Research covered in fP7

Opportunities for SMEs

imaging  and  analytical 

Detection, diagnosis and monitoring research 
such  as 
tools 
should  involve  SMEs  and  the  participation 
of  SMEs  in  immunotherapy  is  also  strongly 
encouraged.  SMEs  should  play  a  significant 
role  in  regenerative  medicine.  Research  into 
anti-microbial  drug  resistance  will  involve 
SMEs  significantly.  The  involvement  of  SMEs 
in fighting emerging epidemics is paramount 
for a number of topics in this field, as well as 
with neglected infectious diseases.  

Joint  Technology 

Collaborative  projects: 
Initiatives
“Innovative  medicines  for  the  citizens  of 
Europe”

For more information on the Health theme see 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
health_en.html

The  three  pillars  of  activities  that  European-
funded health research will focus on include:

• 

• 

• 

biotechnology, generic tools and medical 
technologies for human health;
translating research for human health;
optimising the delivery of healthcare to 
European citizens.

This  ambitious  programme  of  research  will 
help the EU understand how to:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

promote good health, to prevent and treat 
major diseases and to deliver health care; 
integrate the vast amount of genomics data 
to generate knowledge and applications; 
foster translational health research; 
allow Europe to contribute more effectively 
to international efforts combating diseases 
of global importance; 
reinforce policy-driven health research 
at the European level and especially the 
comparisons of the models, systems and 
data of national databases; 
support a European Technology Platform 
on innovative medicine; 
contribute to the development of norms 
and standards for new advanced therapies 
(e.g. regenerative medicine) needed 
to help EU industry face worldwide 
competition; 
consider and integrate gender aspects in 
research; 
address the two strategic issues of child 
health and the health of the ageing 
population.

Scope of health research and 
opportunities in other thematic areas

The  scope  for  health  research  is  extremely 
broad  with  opportunities  for  health  research 
funding  arising  under  other  themes.  These 
include  Food,  Agriculture,  Fisheries  and 
Biotechnology; Information and Communication 
Technologies; Nanosciences.

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fOOd, AGRICULTURE 
ANd fIShERIES, ANd 
bIOTEChNOLOGy

building  a  European  knowledge-based 
bio-Economy

Objectives

Opportunities for SMEs

The primary aim in funding food, agriculture, 
fisheries  and  biotechnology  research  under 
FP7 is to build a European Knowledge Based 
Bio-Economy  (KBBE)  by  bringing  together 
resources  from  all  industries  and  economic 
sectors  that  produce,  manage  and  exploit 
biological  and  related  services,  supply  or 
consumer  industries,  such  as  food,  fisheries, 
forestry, agriculture, etc.

The  work  programme  of  Theme  2  has  been 
designed  to  attract  industrial  participants,  in 
particular  SMEs.  These  may  be:  end-users 
of  new  technologies  (such  as  breeding 
companies, SMEs or agricultural cooperatives 
involved  in  the  production,  packaging  or 
control  of  foods  or  feeds,  etc),  technology 
providers  (mainly  engineering  companies)  or 
technology-based  biotechnology  companies 
(agricultural or industrial biotechnology). 

The  advancement  of  knowledge  in  the 
sustainable  management,  production  and 
use  of  biological  resources  (microbial,  plant 
and  animal)  will  provide  the  basis  for  safer 
and  competitive  products  and  services  for 
agriculture,  fisheries,  feed,  food,  health, 
forest-based  and  related  industries.  Major 
contributions to the implementation of existing 
and prospective policies and regulations in the 
field  of  public,  animal  and  plant  health  and 
consumer  protection  are  anticipated.  New 
renewable energy sources will be supported 
under the concept of a European knowledge-
based bio-economy.

An  overall  budget  of  EUR  1.9  billion  has 
been set aside for the Food, Agriculture and 
Fisheries,  and  Biotechnology  theme  in  the 
Seventh Framework Programme.

The objective of the Theme 2 work programme 
is to fund Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and 
Biotechnology  Research  under  FP7  through 
the establishment of KBBE in order to increase 
productivity and competitiveness.

Areas  of 
food,  Agriculture  and 
fisheries,  and  biotechnology  research 
covered in fP7

This  theme  has  been  designed  to  attract  the 
participation of SMEs. These might be end-users 
of the technology or technology providers. For 
example, the active participation of agro-food 
SMEs will help those organisations concerned 
with 
food-labeling  and 
packaging. It should be remembered that the 
participation of high-tech SMEs is compulsory 
for research calls that target human nutrition. 

issues  such  as 

research  agendas  of 

The  strategic 
the 
European  Technology  platforms  relevant  to 
Theme 2 have also been taken into account. 
See  “Plants  for  the  future”,  “Farm  Animal 
Breeding”  “Global  animal  health”,  “Food 
for life”, “Sustainable Chemistry”, and “Forest 
Based Sector” Other key stakeholders include 
the  European  Food  Safety  Authority  (EFSA) 
and  the  Standing  Committee  on  Agricultural 
Research (SCAR).

For  more  information  on  the  theme  Food, 
agriculture  and  fisheries,  and  biotechnology 
see
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
food_en.html

Theme  2  is  built  around  three  pillars  of 
activities and includes: 

• 

• 

• 

sustainable production and management 
of biological resources from land, forest 
and aquatic environments;
Fork to Farm: food, including seafood, 
health and wellbeing;
life sciences, biotechnology and 
biochemistry for sustainable non-food 
products and processes. 

This ambitious programme will allow the EU to 
better address issues such as:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

growing demand for safer, healthier, 
higher quality food; 
sustainable use and production of 
renewable bio-resources; 
increasing risk of epizootic and zoonotic 
diseases and food related disorders; 
threats to the sustainability and security of 
agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries;
increasing demand for high quality food, 
taking into account animal welfare and 
rural and coastal contexts and response to 
specific dietary needs of consumers.  

Scope of food research and 
opportunities in other thematic areas

The scope for food research is extremely broad 
with  opportunities  for  food  research  funding 
arising  under  other  themes.  These  include 
Information  and  Communication 
Health; 
Technologies;  Nanosciences; 
Energy; 
Environment; Transport; and Space.

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Challenge 7 - Independent living and 
inclusion.
Future and emerging technologies (FET) 

Scope of ICT research and opportunities 
in other thematic areas

The scope for ICT also includes opportunities 
for  funding  research  under  the  other  nine 
themes of the Cooperation programme. 

Opportunities for SMEs

The  ICT  theme  provides  major  opportunities 
for SMEs to:

• 

• 

• 

finance high-risk, early stage research and 
development;
build strategic partnerships;
operate outside their local markets with 
more innovative products and/or services.

Support  actions  will  give  SMEs  greater 
access  to  micro/nano-systems  manufacturing 
technology 
in  FP7.  New  opportunities 
are  provided  for  identifying  training  and 
educational needs and dissemination of smart 
systems at European level.
For  more  information  on  the  ICT  theme  see 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
ict_en.html

INfORMATION ANd 
COMMUNICATION 
TEChNOLOGIES (ICTS)

The  EU  has  set  aside  EUR  9.1  billion 
for  funding  ICT  in  FP7.  This  makes  it  the 
largest  research  theme  in  the  Cooperation 
programme,  which  itself  is  the  largest  of  the 
specific programmes. 

Objectives

Information  and  communication  technologies 
will  promote 
innovation,  creativity  and 
competitiveness  in  industry  and  the  service 
sector. They will also create jobs and improve 
quality of life throughout Europe by facilitating 
the modernisation of public services. Research 
and  innovation  are  needed  for  the  next 
generation  of  technologies  if  Europe  is  to 
ensure  its  global  leadership  in  ICT.  Progress 
in this field will also reduce the digital divide 
and  social  exclusion  as  highlighted  in  i2010, 
the  EC’s  policy  framework  for  an  information 
society.

Areas of ICT research covered in fP7

In  order  to  ensure  that  Europe  becomes  a 
world leader in ICTs, the funding is focussed 
on  seven  key  Challenges,  plus  support 
international 
for  horizontal  actions 
cooperation. 

like 

The ICT theme also looks to the future in the 
form  of  long-term,  high-risk,  ‘purpose  driven’ 
research  known  as  Future  and  Emerging 
Technologies  (FET).  This  blue-sky  research  is 
hoped  to  develop  innovative  technologies 
that will create completely new markets.  

Three  of  the  seven  Challenges  will  promote 
industrial leadership in key ICT sectors, while 
the remaining four are led by socio-economic 
targets. SMEs are actively encouraged within 
each challenge because of their crucial role in 
innovation and economic growth. The seven 
Challenges include:

Challenge 1 - Pervasive and trusted network 
and service infrastructures;
Challenge 2 - Cognitive systems, interaction 
and robotics;
Challenge 3 - Components, systems and 
engineering;
Challenge 4 - Digital libraries and content;
Challenge 5 - Sustainable and personalised 
healthcare;
Challenge 6 - Mobility, environmental 
sustainability and energy efficiency;

NANOSCIENCES, NANOTECh-
NOLOGIES, MATERIALS ANd 
NEw PROdUCTION 
TEChNOLOGIES (NMP)

NMP  has  been  allocated  EUR  3.5 billion  by 
the EU with EUR 530 million being earmarked 
for  Call  1.  Funding  the  NMP  Theme  helps 
both  new  high-tech  as  well  as  traditional 
knowledge-based industries producing higher-
value products and services. Particular attention 
will be paid to the effective dissemination of 
research results to SMEs.

Objectives

development, 

The  objective  behind  Theme  4  is  to  fund 
research, 
demonstration 
and  coordination  projects,  which  will  help 
facilitate  the  generation  of  knowledge  and 
the competitiveness of European industry. This, 
in turn, will help transform it from a resource-
intensive to a knowledge-intensive industry.

Areas of NMP research covered in fP7

Emphasis  is  being  placed  on  the  following 
areas:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Nanoscience and nanotechnologies 
Materials 
New production
Integration of technologies and industrial 
applications

Scope of NMP research and opportunities 
in other thematic areas

The scope for NMP also includes opportunities 
under  the  other  themes  of  the  Cooperation 
programme.

Opportunities for SMEs

Nanosciences,  nanotechnologies,  materials 
and  new  production  technologies  (NMP) 
is  especially  relevant  to  SMEs  that  are 
encouraged  to  participate  in  each  Call. 
Dedicated  SME-focussed  Calls  will  be 
implemented  in  specific  areas  with  the  aim 
of reinforcing the scientific and technological 
SME  base  and  in  producing  innovative 
solutions.  The  SME-targeted  Calls  should  be 
led  by  SMEs  with  research  capacity,  with 
at  least  50  %  of  the  EU  contribution  being 
allocated to the participating SMEs.

For more information on the Nanothechnology 
theme 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/
cooperation/nanotechnology_en.html

see 

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Opportunities for SMEs

SMEs  are  crucial  to  the  energy  chain,  and 
active  SME  participation  in  research  and 
dissemination activities has been instrumental 
in  the  creation  of  new  industrial  sectors  like 
renewable energy. The participation of SMEs 
in FP7 is actively encouraged with two actions 
aimed at bringing together SMEs in the energy 
sector and follows on from FP6 ETI (Economic 
Intelligence)  projects. 
and  Technological 
These  actions  are:  SME  energy  innovation, 
and  the  role  and  impact  of  SMEs  in  energy 
research in the manufacturing industry. 

For more information on the Energy theme see 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
energy_en.html

ENERGy

Within  FP7,  the  Energy  theme  has  a  budget 
of  EUR  2.3  billion.  This  theme  is  of  major 
importance due to the fact that global energy 
demand  is  expected  to  increase  by  60  % 
over  the  next  30  years,  and  because  over 
90 % of the EU’s CO2 emissions are a result 
of  energy  usage.  Therefore,  it  is  necessary 
to develop cost - effective technologies for a 
more sustainable energy economy for Europe 
and indeed, the rest of the world, allowing the 
region to compete globally.

Objectives

Energy research under FP7 is intended to help 
adapt the present system into one that is more 
competitive,  secure  and  sustainable.  There 
should be less dependence on imported fuels 
and  a  more  diverse  mix  of  energy  sources, 
especially renewable energy sources, energy 
carriers and non-polluting sources. 

Areas of Energy research covered in fP7

The following is a summary of research areas 
proposed under FP7:

1) Hydrogen and fuel 
2) Renewable electricity generation 
3) Renewable fuel production 
4) Renewables for heating and cooling 
5) CO2 capture and storage technologies for 
zero emission power generation 
6) Clean Coal Technologies 

Scope of Energy research and 
opportunities in other thematic areas

The scope for energy research also includes 
opportunities for funding under the themes of 
Food  (biotechnology),  Nanotechnology  and 
Transport.  These  include  Food,  Agriculture, 
Information 
Fisheries  and  Biotechnology; 
and 
Technologies; 
Nanosciences.

Communication 

ENvIRONMENT (INCLUdING 
CLIMATE ChANGE)

An overall budget of EUR 1.8 billion has been 
earmarked  for  the  Environment  theme  in  the 
Seventh Framework Programme.

Objectives

to 

fund 

research 
the 

The objective of the Theme 6 work programme 
that  will  advance 
is 
knowledge  of 
relationship  between 
climate,  biosphere,  ecosystems  and  human 
activities  and  to  produce  new  technologies 
and  tools  and  services  to  ensure  sustainable 
development.

Areas of Environment research covered 
in fP7

Theme  6  is  built  around  four  main  activities 
that include:
• 

climate change and  pollution risks;
sustainable management of resources;
environmental technologies;
earth observation and assessment tools.

• 

• 

• 

Scope of Environment research and 
opportunities in other thematic areas

The scope for environment research is extremely 
broad  with  opportunities  for  environment 
research funding  arising  under  other themes. 
These include Health, Food, Information and 
Communication Technologies, Nanosciences, 
Energy, Transport and Space.

Opportunities for SMEs

The  research  calls  under  the  Environment 
theme  are  designed  to  attract  industrial 
participants but with a specific focus on SME-
relevant research topics including: sustainable 
water, soil mapping, sustainable remediation, 
waste  management  technologies,  control  of 
hazardous  chemicals  and  environmental  risk 
assessment. 

For  more  information  on  the  Environment 
theme see
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
environment_en.html

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TRANSPORT (INCLUdING 
AERONAUTICS)

The  Transport  theme  will  have  a  budget 
of  EUR  4.1  billion  over  the  duration  of  FP7. 
The  European  transport  sector  plays  a  vital 
role  in  transporting  people  and  goods  and 
is  essential  for  prosperity.  The  air  transport 
sector  contributes  2.6%  of  the  EU  GDP 
employing  3.1  million  people,  while  surface 
transport supports 16 million jobs, generating 
11% of the EU GDP. However, transport also 
produces  25%  of  all  EU  emissions  of  CO2. 
Therefore, ways need to be found to mitigate 
the  negative  impacts  and  consequences  of 
a  more  mobile  society  with  regard  to  the 
environment,  energy  usage,  and  health  and 
security.

Objectives

The main aim for transport research under the 
FP7 is to develop safer, greener and smarter 
European-wide  transport  systems  that  can 
benefit  all  citizens,  respect  the  environment 
and increase the competitiveness of European 
industry.

Areas of Transport research covered in 
fP7 

The following activities will be addressed:

• 

• 

• 

Aeronautics and air transport
Sustainable surface transport – rail, road 
and water
The European Global Navigation Satellite 
System (GNSS)

Support will be given to GNSS plus Galileo 
and  EGNOS 
(European  Geostationary 
Navigation  Overlay  Service),  which  are 
navigation  and  timing  services  and  the 
efficient use of satellite navigation.

Scope  of  Transport 
opportunities in other thematic areas

research  and 

The  Joint  Technology  Initiative  “Clean  Sky” 
has a budget of EUR 1.4 billion.

The  Single  European  Sky  Air  Traffic 
Management  (SESAR)  will  undertake  all 
air  traffic  management  activities  and  has  a 
budget of EUR 10 million for 2007. 

Opportunities for SMEs

the 
Specific  measures  will  encourage 
development  of  strong  supply  chains  where 
SMEs  are  significant  drivers  of  technological 
innovation. Emphasis is to be given to start-up 
and  the  emergence  of  new  high-tech  SMEs, 
especially in advanced transport technologies 
and service-related activities.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC SCIENCES 
ANd ThE hUMANITIES

The  EC  has  awarded  more  than  EUR  610 
million for funding this theme over the lifetime 
of FP7.

Objectives

This  theme  will  contribute  to  a  greater 
understanding  of  the  complex  interrelated 
socio-economic challenges facing Europe. 

There  will  be  five  sets  of  Calls  for  Proposals 
(2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012).

The  scope  of  Socio-economic  Sciences  and 
the Humanities (SSH) research in FP7 will help 
answer questions related to:

For more information on the Transport theme see 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
transport_en.html

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

growth, employment and competitiveness 
in a knowledge society;
combining social, economic and 
environmental objectives (sustainable 
development) within a European 
perspective;
major trends in society and their implications;
Europe in the world (trade, migration, 
poverty, crime, conflict and resolution);
the citizen in the European Union;
socio-economic and scientific indicators; 
foresight activities.

Scope of SSh research and opportunities 
in other thematic areas

There  are  opportunities  for  funding  the 
humanities in the Health, ICT and Environment 
and Security themes. 

Funding  under  ERA-NET  includes  Humanities 
in the European Research Area (HERA) which 
coordinate the activities of national humanities 
research councils (e.g. IRCHSS) – established 
under  FP6  as  well  as  planning  to  establish 
a  large-scale  European  humanities-specific 
grants during FP7. 

Opportunities for SMEs

is  no  specific  mention  of  SME 
There 
participation  in  this  theme  despite  the  fact 
that  there  are  multiple  research  areas  and 
activities,  which  mention  small  collaborative 
projects  such  as  intangible  investments  and 
innovation  in  Europe,  structural  changes, 
regional development and social trends.

For  more  information  on  the  Socio-Economic 
Sciences  and  the  Humanities  theme,  see 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
socio-economic_en.html

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EU space research websites:
http://ec.europa.eu./enterprises/space
http://www.qmes.info
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/calls/

ESA website:
http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPqmes.html

SECURITy 

The EU has set aside EUR 1.3 billion for this 
theme over the duration of FP7. Security-related 
research  is  a  cornerstone  for  supporting 
European prosperity and freedom and justice. 
In  turn,  it  will  develop  technologies  that  will 
support  other  areas  of  European  policy 
including health, energy, the environment and 
transport.

Helpdesk:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries

Objectives

For more information on the Space theme see 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
space_en.html

The  objectives  of  the  Security  theme  include 
the  development  of  technologies  required  to 
ensure the security of citizens from the threats 
of terrorism, organised crime, natural disasters 
and  industrial  accidents.  This  will  be  carried 
out  with  strict  regard  for  human  rights.  It 
will  make  sure  that  available  and  emerging 
technologies  will  be  employed  so  as  to 
benefit  civil  European  society.  The  EU  can 
best  understand  risks  in  a  world  of  constant 
change through cooperation and coordination 
on  a  pan-European  scale  of  providers  and 
users for civil security solutions. This will help 
improve the competitiveness of the European 
security industry.

The scope of Security research in fP7

Calls under the theme of security are open to 
all  security  stakeholders  and  the  involvement 
of SMEs in consortia is actively encouraged. 
Research will be carried out in the following 
areas:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Security of citizens
Security of infrastructures and utilities
Intelligent surveillance and border security
Restoration of security and safety in a crisis 
situation
Security system integration, 
interconnectivity and interoperability
Security and society
Security research coordination and 
structuring

SPACE

The  budget  for  Space  research  over  the 
lifetime  of  FP7  is  EUR  1.4  billion,  which  is 
a  large  increase  on  FP6.  About  85%  of 
the  budget  (EUR  1.2  billion)  will  go  to  the 
Global  monitoring 
for  environment  and 
security  (GEMS)  including  dedicated  space 
infrastructures,  the  remaining  15%  will  go 
towards strengthening space foundations and 
cross-cutting issues.  

Objectives 

The  intention  of  the  Space  theme  in  FP7  is  to 
support  the  European  Space  Programme  by 
developing such applications as GMES which 
will  benefit  citizens  through  technological 
spin-offs  and  help  the  competitiveness  of 
the  European  space  industry.  GMES  will  be 
important  in  managing  the  consequences  of 
natural disasters and climate change. FP7 will 
contribute  to  the  development  of  European 
space  policy  and  complement  research  by 
Member  States  and  by  the  European  Space 
Agency.

The scope of Space research in fP7

Research during the lifetime of FP7 will focus 
on the following areas:

• 

• 

• 

Space-based applications serving 
European society
Exploration of space
Research and technological development 
for strengthening space foundations

Opportunities for SMEs

it 

research 

focuses  on  new 
Space-based 
is  a 
technological  developments  and 
strategic  industrial  sector.  There  are  many 
opportunities  for  SMEs  who  are  important 
participants  in  the  global  commercial  market 
of  satellite  manufacturing,  launch  service, 
satellite  operations  and  downstream  service 
providers.  There  are  opportunities  for  SMEs 
within  GMES  activities  including  state-of-the 
art  data  processing,  modelling,  simulations 
and image analysis as well as in the areas of 
land  management,  urban  planning,  coastal 
environment and air quality. The GMES projects 
will  actively  integrate  SMEs  along  the  entire 
service chain. Feedback from FP6 showed that 
SMEs are particularly active in the space sector 
with up to 22%  in SME participation.

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Scope of Security research and 
opportunities in other thematic areas

Further  opportunities  for  funding  appear 
under the themes of Health, ICT, Environment 
(including  Climate  Change),  Transport  and 
the cross-cutting theme of Science in Society. 
Cross-cutting open themes include the Marie-
Curie Fellowships; Research for SMEs and the 
funding of research infrastructures.

Opportunities for SMEs

research 

strengthens 

Security 
the 
competitiveness  of  the  European  security 
industry  by  encouraging  the  cooperation  of 
providers and users for civil security solutions 
and through the active involvement of SMEs. 

For more information on the Security theme see 
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/
security_en.html

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MARIE CURIE  
INdUSTRy – ACAdEMIA 
PARTNERShIPS ANd 
PAThwAyS (IAPP)

what are IAPPs?

research  organisations 

IAPPs  are  partnerships  between  public  and 
private 
(including 
universities,  large  and  small  enterprises  and 
manufacturing  industries)  which  are  based 
on  a  common  research  project  and  aim  to 
increase  skills  exchange  between  the  two 
sectors.

who can apply?

A typical consortium consists of one research 
organisation from the public sector (university, 
research  centre)  and  one  from  the  private 
sector (any size: SME, spin-off, big industry), 
but there is no pre-defined maximum number 
of participants.
Proposals  must  include  as  a  minimum  at 
least one organisation from each sector. The 
different  participating  organisations  should 
be either from at least two different Member 
States  or  an  associated  country  and  a 
Member State. 

which research topics are supported?

There  are  no  pre-defined  priority  areas. 
Research  fields  are  chosen  freely  by  the 
applicants  and  all  domains  of  research  and 
technological  development  addressed  under 
the EC-Treaty are eligible for funding (except 
areas of research covered by the EURATOM 
Treaty).

PEOPLE

The  Marie  Curie  Actions  (People  Programme  in  FP7)  are  focused  on  training,  mobility  and 
career development of  researchers. They are open to individual researchers at  all stages of 
their career and research institutions both in the public and the private sector. Applicants may 
be situated in EU Member States, associated countries and third countries. Proposals from all 
areas of research are welcome, there are no thematic priorities. 
One  of  the  Actions,  the  “Industry-Academia  Partnerships  and  Pathways”  (IAPP)  scheme  aims 
specifically at establishing long-term research cooperation between the public and the private 
sector. Funding is provided mainly for staff exchange, recruitment, and networking activities but 
there is also a contribution to research costs and equipment costs for SMEs.

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how does it work?

Proposals are submitted, evaluated against a 
series of predetermined criteria by international 
peer review and selected for funding, typically 
for four years.

what does the funding cover?

Support will be provided for:
• 

exchange of know-how and experience 
through inter-sector two-way secondments 
of research staff of the participants;
research and networking activities.

• 
Optionally:

• 

• 

recruitment of experienced researchers 
from outside the partnership, for 
involvement in transfer of knowledge 
and/or training of researchers;
organisation of workshops and 
conferences, involving the participants’ 
own research staff and external 
researchers;

• 

for SMEs: research equipment (up to 
10% of the EC contribution for each SME 
participant) on a duly justified basis.

how to apply?

Specific information:
http://ec.europa.eu./research/fp6/
mariecurie-actions

Opportunities within Marie Curie Actions: 
http://mc-opportunities.cordis.lu/home_vac.
cfm

whAT IS EUROSTARS?

The EUROSTARS programme is offered by EUREKA, an intergovernmental initiative established 
in 1985, aimed at enhancing European competitiveness through support to businesses, research 
centres  and  universities  who  carry  out  pan-European  projects  for  developing  innovative, 
products, processes and services. EUROSTARS focuses on funding for R&D-performing SMEs*. 
The programme offers combined national funding to support R&D performing SMEs leading 
international collaborative research projects. Twenty-seven countries are involved so far with an 
estimated total budget of EUR 400 million.

who can apply?

*The Decision to allocate Community funding to the 
Eurostars Programme is not expected before 2008.

SMEs from participating countries will be able to apply for funding following the launch of the first 
Call expected in the second half of 2007. The target is for 600 projects over the next six years. The 
countries taking part include Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, 
France,  Germany,  Greece,  Hungary,  Iceland,  Ireland,  Israel,  Italy,  Lithuania,  the  Netherlands, 
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

what activities are supported?

EUROSTARS supports research executed by SMEs by offering funding for their activities, allowing 
them to compete internationally and become leaders in their particular area of business.

how does it work?

EUROSTARS  is  aimed  at  R&D  performing  SMEs  that  wish  to  collaborate  internationally.  The 
projects should be initiated and led by one of these SMEs. The projects should involve at least 
one  other  partner  from  another  EUROSTARS  member  country  and  last  no  longer  than  three 
years. Within two years of completion the product of the research should be ready for market 
introduction. 

how to apply? 
Specific information:
http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu

RESEARCh PERfORMING SMES / 19

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RESEARCh ACqUIRING 
SMES

CAPACITIES

The Capacities programme is divided into six broad areas. One of these “Research for the 
benefit of SMEs” is aimed specifically at small- to medium-sized enterprises and their associations 
who wish to outsource their research. It is intended to strengthen the innovation capacities of 
SMEs and help develop new products and markets. Outsourcing will allow SMEs to increase 
their research efforts, acquire technological know-how, extend business networks and improve 
the exploitation of research results.

Research-acquiring  SMEs  can  receive  support  as  individual  SMEs  through  the  “Research  for 
SMEs” scheme or as SME associations through the “Research for SME Associations” scheme. 
In addition, individual SMEs can also receive support through national funding programmes via 
the EraSME project and SME associations via the CORNET project; both projects are under 
the ERA-NET scheme.

Individual SMEs

SME Associations

Research 
for SMEs

EraSME

Research 
for SME 
Associations

CORNET

(Capacities)

(ERA-NET)

(Capacities)

(ERA-NET)

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whAT IS “RESEARCh fOR 
SMES”?

“Research  for  SMEs”  supports  small  groups 
of  innovative  SMEs  in  solving  technological 
problems and acquiring technological know-
how. Projects must fit into the overall business 
and  innovation  needs  of  the  SMEs,  which 
are  given  the  opportunity  to  subcontract 
(outsource)  research  to  RTD  performers  in 
order to acquire the necessary technological 
knowledge.  Projects  must 
render  clear 
exploitation  potential  and  economic  benefits 
for the SMEs involved.

who can apply?

‘acquire’ 

that  need 

research 
to 
SMEs 
by  outsourcing,  such  as  low-  to  medium- 
technology  SMEs  with  little  or  no  research 
capacity, or research intensive SMEs that need 
to outsource in order to complement their core 
research  capability.  Projects  are  intended  to 
create  new  knowledge  or  produce  results 
with  clear  potential  to  improve  or  develop 
new  products,  processes  or  services  for  the 
SMEs taking part.

which activities are supported?

Within  the  framework  of  each  project,  the 
“Research  for  SMEs”  scheme  will  support 
SMEs in:

• 

• 

• 

• 

research and technical development 
activities: Research undertaken by RTD 
performers will form the bulk of each 
funded project. SMEs will focus on the 
testing and validation of project results, and 
the preparatory stages for applied use.
demonstration activities:
These are intended to demonstrate the 
viability of new technologies produced 
through the research, offering a potential 
economic advantage, but which are 
unable to be commercialised directly 
(e.g. testing of product-like prototypes). 
This is the last development stage before 
products or processes enter production.
other activities that facilitate the take-
up of results by the SMEs, in particular 
training and dissemination activities;
RTD performers will train technical and 
managerial staff from participating SMEs, 
focusing on best-practice utilisation of 
results and technologies generated by 
project research. Dissemination to third 
parties will be accomplished through 
conferences, publications, workshops, 

• 

web-based initiatives etc.
management activities;
Over and above the technical 
management of individual work 
packages, these activities will provide 
an appropriate framework for bringing 
together all components of the project 
and maintaining regular communication 
with the Commission. 

how does it work?

Under  FP7,  the  funding  model  used  for 
“Research  for  SMEs”  (formerly  Cooperative 
Research)  maintains  its  guiding  principle  to 
strengthen the innovation capacities of SMEs 
to develop new products and markets through 
the acquisition of new knowledge from those 
institutions best suited to carry out research.

The  SME  participants  are 
the  direct 
beneficiaries  of  the  project.  They  invest  in 
the  RTD  project  and  outsource  most  of  the 
research  and  demonstration  activities  to 
RTD  performers.  In  return  they  receive  the 
technological  know-how  needed  to  develop 
new or to improve existing products, systems, 
processes or services.
The  relationship  between  the  SMEs  and 
the  RTD  performers  under  this  programme  is 
therefore  a  “customer-provider”  relationship. 
The idea is to allow SMEs to further develop 
their  activities  by  buying  knowledge  from 
RTD performers  who sell their expertise and 
work.  Research  and  development  activities 
undertaken  by  the  SMEs  themselves  with 
their own resources essentially focus on initial 
specifications  and,  later,  on  validation  and 
testing  of  the  acquired  knowledge.  In  this 
context, the real investment or cost incurred by 
the SMEs includes the price they pay for the 
know-how they wish to acquire: the Intellectual 
Property  Rights  and  knowledge  developed 
during the project. 
It is important to note that “Research for SMEs” 
is  a  bottom-up  scheme:  the  projects  may 
address  any  research  topic  across  the  entire 
field of science and technology.

what does the funding cover?

The European Community will provide financial 
support to the project which covers only part 
of  the  total  costs.  The  SME  participants  will 
therefore  have  to  contribute  with  their  own 
resources,  in  cash  or  in  kind,  to  the  project. 
The EC contribution is based on upper funding 
limits for individual activities:

• 

• 

• 

Research and technological development 
activities: maximum of 50 % of the 
eligible costs.
However, for SMEs, non-profit public 
bodies, secondary and higher 
education establishments, and research 
organisations: a maximum of 75 %.
Demonstration activities: maximum of 50%
Management and other activities: 
maximum of 100%

One important rule for the calculation of the 
EC contribution applies: 
In accordance with the rules of participation 
and in order to achieve the aim of promoting 
the outsourcing of research and demonstration 
activities,  the  financial  support  to  the  project 
will  be  limited  to  110%  of  the  total  amount 
of  the  subcontracting  to  the  RTD  performers 
(price  to  be  invoiced  by  RTD  performers  to 
SMEs). 

how do you form a “Research for SMEs” 
consortium?

Projects require participants from the following 
categories:

• 

• 

SME participants: At least three inde-
pendent SMEs, established in three 
different Member States or associated 
countries. 
RTD performers: At least two RTD 
performers who must be independent 
from any other participant and who can 
come from any country. Examples of 
RTD performers are universities, research 
organisations and industrial companies, 
including research performing SMEs. 
In  addition,  other  enterprises  and  end-users 
may  participate  by  making  a  particular 
contribution to the project. They must also be 
independent from any other participant. 

Recommendations for resources and 
duration 

The  size  of  the  consortium  should  typically 
be  between  five  and  10  participants.  The 

RESEARCh ACqUIRING SMES / 21

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Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

Already at the proposal stage, the consortium 
has  to  provide  a  clear  and  adequate 
description of how the participants will organise 
IPR  ownership  and  user  rights  (e.g.  licences, 
royalties)  among  themselves.  The  consortium 
may  decide  to  follow  the  default  regime, 
which gives full ownership of all project results 
(“foreground”) and IPR to the SMEs.

The  consortium  may,  however,  reach  a 
different  agreement  in  its  own  best  interest, 
as  long  as  the  SMEs  are  provided  with  all 
the Rights that are required for their intended 
use and exploitation of the project results. In 
practice, this can, for example, mean that the 
RTD performers keep ownership of the entire 
foreground (or parts of it) and that the SMEs 
acquire licences only.

how to participate in “Research for SMEs” 

Calls  are  published  on  http://cordis.europa.
eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm  under  the  CAPACITIES 
Programme / Research for the benefit of SMEs 
section.

For  further  information  on  how  to  submit  a 
proposal and related detail, please visit DG 
Research’s SME TechWeb at
http://ec.europa.eu/research/sme-techweb 

Helpdesk:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries

whAT IS “RESEARCh fOR 
SME ASSOCIATIONS” 
(SME-AGS)?

“Research  for  SME  Associations”  aims  at 
developing  technical  solutions  to  problems 
common  to  a  large  number  of  SMEs  in 
specific  industrial  sectors  or  segments  of  the 
value  chain  through  research  that  could  not 
be  addressed  under  “Research  for  SMEs”. 
Projects can, for example, aim to develop or 
conform  to  European  norms  and  standards, 
and to meet regulatory requirements in areas 
such  as  health,  safety  and  environmental 
protection. Projects must be driven by the SME 
associations, which are given the opportunity 
to  subcontract  research  to  RTD  performers  in 
order to acquire the necessary technological 
knowledge for their members.

Projects must render clear exploitation potential 
and economic benefits for the SME members 
of the associations involved.

who can apply? 

SME  associations  that  are  normally  best 
placed to appreciate or identify the common 
technical problems of their members.

which activities are supported?

The  focus  should  be  on  strengthening  the 
competitiveness  of  SMEs  and  improving 
industrial competitiveness across the European 
Union. Therefore, particular emphasis will be 
given  to  the  economic  impact  of  the  results 
for  participating  SMEs.  A  consortium’s  plan 
for  disseminating  the  project’s  results  will  be 
central to the evaluation process.

It  takes  a  multifaceted  approach  to  enhance 
participants’  competitiveness.  Within 
the 
framework  of  each  project,  this  scheme  will 
support SME-AGs in the following ways: 

• 

Research and technical development 
activities form the core of the project 
with a major contribution from the RTD 
performers. SME associations, their 
members and the SMEs directly involved 
in the project focus on specifications, 
testing and validation of project results 
and the preparatory stages for further 
use.

• 

Demonstration activities are designed to 
prove the viability of new technologies 
that offer a potential economic 
advantage but which cannot be 

overall budget of the project should typically 
be  between  EUR  0.5  million  to  EUR  1.5 
million and the duration of the project should 
normally be between one  and two years. If a 
project deviates from these recommendations, 
a justification is required.

decision-making, coordination of the 
project and consortium agreement

The  management  and  decision-making 
approach of the project should be tailored to 
the real needs in terms of scale and complexity. 
The consortium has to ensure that no decision 
can be taken against the collective interest of 
the SME participants.

• 

• 

The coordination of the project is a demanding 
and complex management task which requires a 
well qualified and experienced coordinator. The 
SME participants may entrust the coordination to 
a RTD performer or a partner in the consortium 
specialised in professional project management. 
The coordinator carries out the following tasks: 
monitors the compliance by the partners 
with their obligations;
verifies that all partners have access to 
the grant agreement;
receives the Community financial 
contribution and distributes it in 
accordance with the consortium and 
grant agreement;
keeps the records and financial accounts 
and informs the Commission of its 
distribution;
acts as an intermediary for efficient and 
correct communication between the 
participants and reports regularly to the 
participants and to the Commission on 
the progress of the project.

• 

• 

• 

Once  a  project  has  been  selected  and 
negotiations are finalised the participants have 
to  submit  a  signed  consortium  agreement  to 
further  detail  information  already  reflected  in 
the Technical Annex to the contract. It addresses 
issues  such  as  the  internal  organisation  of 
the  consortium,  the  management  of  the 
Community  financial  contribution,  rules  on 
dissemination  and  use,  including  Intellectual 
Property Rights management or the settlement 
of internal disputes. 

22 / SMES IN fP7: A hANdS-ON GUIdE

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commercialised directly (e.g. testing of 
product-like prototypes). This is the last 
development stage before products or 
processes enter production.

• 

Other activities, in particular training and 
dissemination activities, facilitate the take-
up of results by the SME associations 
and their members. RTD performers 
will train technical and managerial 
staff from participating SMEs, focusing 
on best-practice utilisation of results 
and technologies generated by 
project research. Dissemination to third 
parties will be accomplished through 
conferences, publications, workshops, 
web-based initiatives, etc.

• 

Projects include activities to effectively 
disseminate the results of research 
to members of the SME-AGs, and if 
appropriate, more widely. Furthermore, 
dissemination to policy makers, including 
standardisation bodies, is encouraged 
to facilitate the use of policy-relevant 
results by the appropriate bodies at 
international, European, national or 
regional level. 

how does it work?

what does the funding cover?

to 

Under  FP7,  the  funding  scheme  “Research 
for  SME  Associations”  maintains  its  guiding 
principles 
innovation 
strengthen 
capacities of SMEs to develop new products 
and  markets  through  the  acquisition  of  new 
knowledge  from  those  institutions  best  suited 
to carry out research.

the 

The SME associations and their members are 
the  direct  beneficiaries  of  the  project:  they 
invest in the RTD project and outsource most 
of  the  research  and  demonstration  activities 
to  RTD  performers  and  receive  in  return  the 
technological know-how they need.

The relationship between the SME associations, 
who act on behalf of their members and the 
RTD-performers  under  this  programme,  is 
therefore  a  “customer-provider”  relationship. 
The  intention  is  to  allow  SME  associations 
to  assist  their  members  in  further  developing 
their  activities  by  purchasing  knowledge 
from RTD performers, who sell their expertise 
and  work.  Research  and  development 
activities undertaken by the SME associations 
themselves (and their members) with their own 
resources  are  essentially  focussed  on  initial 
specifications  and,  later,  on  validation  and 
testing of the acquired knowledge. Therefore, 
the real investment or cost incurred by the SME 
associations includes the price they pay for the 
know-how they wish to acquire on behalf or for 
their  members:  the  Intellectual  Property  Rights 
and knowledge developed during the project. 

From  the  perspective  of  the  associations 
and  their  members,  but  also  for  a  positive 
evaluation of the proposal, it is important that it 
is well verified and justified how the proposed 
research  investment  addresses  the  needs  of 
large  communities  of  SMEs.  Furthermore,  it 
is  crucial  to  demonstrate  how  the  activities 
for  dissemination  and  use  will  ensure  that 
indeed large communities of SMEs will benefit 
economically  from  the  project  results.  The 
associations and their members have to keep 
in mind that, even if the level of public funding 
provided  is  substantial,  it  will  never  cover  all 
the costs. Shortfalls will have to be covered by 
the participating associations themselves.
It is important to note that “Research for SME 
Associations”  is  a  bottom-up  scheme:  the 
projects may address any research topic across 
the entire field of science and technology.

The European Community will provide financial 
support to the project which covers only part 
of  the  total  costs.  The  SME  associations  will 
therefore  have  to  contribute  with  their  own 
or financial resources to  the project. The EC 
contribution is based on upper funding limits 
for individual activities:

• 

• 

• 

Research and technological development 
activities: maximum of 50 % of the 
eligible costs.
However, SMEs, non-profit public 
bodies, secondary and higher 
education establishments, and research 
organisations may receive up to 75 %.
SME associations, which fulfil any of the 
above mentioned conditions, qualify for 
the higher funding rate.
Demonstration activities: maximum of 
50%
Management and other activities: 
maximum of 100%

One important rule for the calculation of the 
EC contribution applies: 
In accordance with the rules for participation 
and in order to achieve the aim of promoting 
the outsourcing of research and demonstration 
activities,  the  financial  support  to  the  project 
will  be  limited  to  110%  of  the  total  amount 
of  the  subcontracting  to  the  RTD  performers 
(price  to  be  invoiced  by  RTD  performers  to 
SMEs). 

how do you form a “Research for SME 
Associations” consortium?

Projects under “Research for SME Associations” 
require  participants 
following 
categories:

from 

the 

• 

• 

At least three independent SME 
association/groupings (SME-AGs), 
established in three different Member 
States or associated countries, or one 
European SME association/grouping. 
SME associations/groupings are 
legal persons, composed mostly of 
and representing the interests of SMEs 
(e.g. industrial associations, national 
or regional industrial associations and 
chambers of industry and commerce).
RTD performers: At least two RTD 
performers which must be independent 

RESEARCh ACqUIRING SMES / 23

SME_guide_06.indd   23

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• 

from any other participant and which 
can come from any country. Examples of 
RTD performers are universities, research 
organisations and industrial companies, 
including research performing SMEs. 
In addition, other enterprises and end-
users (including SMEs) may participate 
by making a particular contribution to the 
project. They must also be independent 
from any other participant. 
A limited number of individual SMEs (2-5) 
must participate to ensure that the results of 
the project address SME needs and can 
be used by a large number of SMEs.

Recommendations for resources and 
duration 

The size of the consortium should typically be 
between 10 and 15 participants. In addition, 
the SME end users group should be limited to 
two  to  five  members.  The  overall  budget  of 
the project should typically be between EUR 
1.5 million to EUR 4.0 million and the duration 
of  the  project  should  normally  be  between 
two    and  three  years.  If  a  project  deviates 
from these recommendations, a justification is 
required.

decision-making, coordination of the 
project and consortium agreement

The  management  and  decision-making 
approach of the project should be tailored to 
real needs in terms of scale and complexity. 
The consortium has to ensure that no decision 
can be taken against the collective interest of 
the SME associations.

The coordination of the project is a demanding 
and complex management task which requires 
a well qualified and experienced coordinator. 
The  SME  associations  may  entrust 
the 
coordination to a RTD performer or a partner 
in  the  consortium  specialised  in  professional 
project management. The coordinator carries 
out the following tasks: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

monitors the compliance of the partners 
with their obligations;
verifies that all partners have access to 
the grant agreement;
receives the Community financial 
contribution and distributes it in 
accordance with the consortium and 
grant agreement;

24 / SMES IN fP7: A hANdS-ON GUIdE

• 

• 

keeps the records and financial accounts 
and informs the Commission of its 
distribution;
acts as an intermediary for efficient and 
correct communication between the 
participants and reports regularly to the 
participants and to the Commission on 
the progress of the project.

agreed  between  RTD  performers  and  SME 
associations  should  reflect  the  value  of  the 
Intellectual  Property  Rights  and  knowledge 
acquired,  meaning,  for  example,  that  the 
price  of  licences  should  be  lower  than  the 
price for ownership of all results. 

how to participate in Research for SME 
Associations: 

Calls:

Calls  are  published  on  http://cordis.europa.
eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm  under  the  CAPACITIES 
Programme  /  Research  for  the  benefit  of 
SMEs section.

For  further  information  on  how  to  submit  a 
proposal and related detail, please visit DG 
Research’s SME TechWeb at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/sme-techweb 

Helpdesk:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/enquiries

Once  a  project  has  been  selected  and 
negotiations  are  finalised,  the  participants 
have to submit a signed consortium agreement 
to further detail information already reflected in 
the Technical Annex to the contract. It addresses 
issues  such  as  the  internal  organisation  of 
the  consortium,  the  management  of  the 
Community’s  financial  contribution,  rules  on 
dissemination  and  use,  including  Intellectual 
Property Rights management or the settlement 
of internal disputes. 

Intellectual Property Rights

Already at the proposal stage the consortium 
must  provide  a  clear  and  adequate 
description  of  how  the  participants  will 
organise  IPR  ownership  and  user  rights  (e.g. 
licences,  royalties)  among  themselves.  The 
consortium may choose to follow the default 
regime,  giving  full  ownership  of  all  project 
results  (“foreground”)  and  IPR  to  the  SME 
associations.

SME associations have the opportunity to find 
tailor-made solutions to organise the ownership 
of project results and its dissemination and use 
them in a way that takes into account the needs, 
interests and capabilities of the SME-AGs and 
their  members,  of  the  other  enterprises  and 
end-users  involved  in  the  project  as  well  as 
the RTD performers. The arrangement should 
address transfer of ownership, licences or any 
other form of rights for the dissemination and 
use of results generated by the project. It must 
ensure  that  SME  associations  are  provided 
with  all  the  Rights  that  are  required  for  the 
intended  use  and  exploitation  of  the  project 
results by their members. In reality, this can, for 
example, mean that the RTD performers keep 
ownership  of  the  entire  foreground  (or  parts 
of it) and that the SME associations and their 
members acquire licences only.

In  exchange,  the  RTD  performers  co-invest 
employing their own resources in the project. 
Therefore  the  price  and  payment  modalities 

SME_guide_06.indd   24

11/7/07   2:26:23 PM

SUPPORT fOR INdIvIdUAL 
SMES - whAT IS EraSME?

EraSME  is  a  network  of  19  national  and 
regional  research  programmes  supporting 
SMEs,  currently  supported  under  the  Sixth 
Framework  Programme*.  Although  most 
national governments have set up national and 
regional  schemes  to  encourage  cooperation 
between  SMEs  and  research  organisations, 
the  EraSME  project  was  the  first  to  take  an 
integrated transnational approach and make 
cross-border 
cooperation 
SME-research 
possible.  Even innovative SMEs with winning 
concepts  frequently  lack  the  equipment  and 
ability  to  perform  the  necessary  research 
in  order  to  develop  and  test  their  ideas.  In 
research 
contrast,  universities  and  other 
bodies  often  have  excellent  resources  and 
skills  but  lack  the  entrepreneurial  expertise 
and  business  experience  that  resides  within 
SMEs. EraSME offers an operational platform 
for  programme  owners  and  managers  to 
exchange best practice, execute joint activities 
and launch joint Calls for Proposals. EraSME 
will therefore:

activities is much broader than the funding of 
R&D in itself.  The R&D programmes work in 
the following key areas:

how to apply?

For further information visit:
http://www.era-sme.net/public 

• 

facilitation of transnational partnerships 
between national research programmes 
to support innovative ideas, giving SMEs 
the research competence needed for 
their initial ideas to lead to practical and 
commercially exploitable innovations;

• 

promotion of joint actions to enable 
partnerships that will benefit Europe’s 
national and regional programmes in this 
field;

• 

creation of a common transnational 
framework for action that will enhance 
complementarities between programmes 
at regional, national and European level;

• 

creation of the conditions for sustained, 
long-term cooperation between national 
and regional programmes.

• 

facilitate transnational partnerships 
between SMEs and research 
organisations; 

how does it work? 

• 

reduce programme administration costs 
by joint actions and shared expenses;

• 

enhance complementarity between 
programmes at regional, national and 
European level by creating a common 
framework for actions; 

• 

create the conditions for sustained, long-
term cooperation between programmes.

EraSME  is  based  on  the  national  and 
regional  participating  programmes  and 
regularly  proposes  joint  Calls  for  Proposals. 
Projects must be transnational, close-to-market 
and  innovative.  They  must  aim  to  develop 
new products, processes or services. Funded 
projects  must  be  driven  by  SMEs,  who  must 
be able to demonstrate that they will be the 
main recipients or beneficiaries of the results 
from the project. 

who can apply?

what does the funding cover?

SMEs established in one of the participating 
counties/regions,  who  wish  to  engage  in 
a  transnational  R&D  project  with  research 
organisations  (universities,  research  centers). 
Specific conditions should be checked in the 
Calls for Proposals.  

which activities are supported?

EraSME is organising joint Calls for Proposals 
in which project consortia may apply. Unless 
specified  in  the  Call  for  Proposals,  there  is 
no thematic focus, meaning that projects can 
come out of any S&T field. 
As  EraSME  is  an  ERA-NET,  its  scope  of 

Funding is available for the activities executed 
in the frame of the transnational R&D projects 
by  the  SMEs  and  their  partners.  However, 
as  it  is  based  on  the  national/regional 
programmes, national funding rules apply.
The  coordinating  activities  of  EraSME  are 
supported  by  the  EU  funding.  This  includes 
the  exchange  of  best  practice  between 
participating  programmes  and  organisations 
in  key  aspects  of  programme  design  and 
management,  in  order  to  raise  programme 
efficiency and effectiveness.  

*The possibility to continue the activities of EraSME 
in FP7 are currently under discussion with the 
Commission.

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SUPPORT fOR SME 
ASSOCIATIONS - whAT IS 
CORNET? 

CORNET - ‘COllective Research NETworking’ 
is  an  ERA-NET  in  the  field  of  Collective 
Research.  Collective  Research  programmes 
benefit  all  or  most  of  the  SMEs  working  in 
the  same  sector  or  branch  of  industry.  Any 
Intellectual Property Rights generated through 
the project are typically distributed throughout 
the firms in the target sector. 

to 

improve 

The  CORNET  Consortium  consists  of  23 
partners managing 18 research programmes 
involving 17 countries and regions. Originally 
appearing in the Sixth Framework Programme 
(FP6)*,  CORNET  seeks 
the 
efficiency  of  collective  research  policy  and 
activities in Europe. It is aimed at reinforcing 
the  European  Research  Area 
(ERA)  by 
improving  cooperation  between  national/
regional  ministries  and  government  agencies 
and  creating  opportunities  for  establishing 
collective research sourcing national/regional 
funding  that  crosses  national  borders.  The 
programmes  involved  in  CORNET  plan  and 
execute  joint  Calls  for  Proposals  and  other 
joint activities.

what does the funding cover?

Funding  supports  research  and  development 
carried  out  by  specialised  centers  for  SME 
associations  on  behalf  of  their  members,  to 
address their ‘pre-competitive needs’ within a 
specific  business  sector.  The  results  are  then 
disseminated  for  effective  exploitation.  An 
example of collective research could be used 
to  improve  health  and  safety  standards  or 
optimise the industrial process. As it is based 
on  national/regional  programmes,  national 
funding rules apply. The coordinating activities 
of CORNET are supported by EU funding. 

how to apply?

Please consult the CORNET website:
www.cornet-era.net

who can apply?

Eligible  partners  in  the  Calls  for  Proposals 
launched  by  CORNET  are  associations, 
federations, 
trade  associations  or  other 
groups of enterprises with common objectives, 
typically  subcontracting  research  work  to 
relevant  (collective)  research  centres  and 
universities. 

which research topics are supported?

Calls have no thematic focus, and associations, 
federations  and  trade  associations  in  all 
industrial  sectors  who  are  interested  in 
establishing 
trans-national  consortia  and 
submitting  collective  research  proposals  can 
apply.

how does it work? 

The  project  consortium  must  be  composed 
of  eligible  partners  from  countries  or  regions 
participating  in  CORNET.  The  dissemination 
activities  are  essential  within  the  project 
and  should  be  Europe  wide  and  include 
information activities in English.

26 / SMES IN fP7: A hANdS-ON GUIdE

*The possibility to continue the activities of 
CORNET in FP7 are currently under discussion with 
the Commission.

AddITIONAL EUROPEAN 
ACTIvITIES 

CIP – Competitiveness and Innovation 
Programme, 2007-2013 (Nb: CIP is not 
a Research framework programme)  

complemented  by 

FP7  will  be 
the 
“Competitiveness and Innovation Programme” 
is  aimed  at 
(CIP)  2007-2013,  which 
encouraging the competitiveness of European 
enterprises  by  improving  SME  access  to 
alternative sources of finance. This is a coherent 
and  integrated  response  to  the  objectives  of 
the  reinvigorated  “Lisbon”  growth  and  jobs 
strategy.  CIP  will  help  enterprises  grow  and 
innovate by:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

supporting private equity and loan 
guarantee schemes;
providing SMEs with clear and efficient 
information and advice via the business 
support networks building on today’s 
EICs (Euro Info Centers) and IRCs 
(Innovation Relay Centers); 
improving the conditions for innovation 
by supporting exchanges of best 
practices, networking and analysis, with 
particular emphasis on eco-innovation; 
stimulating the new converging markets 
for electronic networks, media content 
and digital technologies;
encouraging the wider uptake of new 
and renewable energies and promoting 
energy efficiency.

CIP  will  therefore  support  actions  to  reduce 
obstacles  to  innovation  and  growth,  and  to 
boost  entrepreneurship  and  productivity.  It  is 
specifically targeted to SMEs. CIP comprises 
three specific programmes: 

• 

• 

• 

Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
Programme (EIP)
ICT Policy Support Programme (ICTP)
Intelligent Energy Europe Programme (IEEP) 

These three programmes receive respectively 
a  60/20/20  share  of  the  total  CIP  budget 
of EUR 3.6 billion. This budget is significantly 
smaller  than  that  of    FP7  and  cohesion 
funding,  but  by  acting  closer  to  the  market, 
CIP  will  have  a  significant  leverage  effect. 
Community Financial Instruments under CIP will 
be  coordinated  by  the  European  Investment 
Fund (http://eif.eu.int/) and delivered through 
existing  banks,  financial 
institutions  and 
equity  funds  in  the  participating  countries. 
Therefore,  individual  enterprises  should  not 
address requests for support to the European 
Commission or EIF directly.

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together 

It  brings 

CIP  will  provide  SMEs  with  a  local  access 
point for information and advice on European 
programmes  (especially  FP7),  single  market 
issues,  European  regulations  and  innovation 
actions. 
the  services 
previously  provided  by  the  Euro  Info  Centre 
(EIC) network and the Innovation Relay Centre 
(IRC) network into a single network for services 
in support of business and innovation. These 
will  be  hosted  by  organisations  that  are 
already providing similar services for SMEs in 
their regions.

EICs: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/
networks/eic/eic.html

IRCs: http://www.innovationrelay.net/

The  CIP  and  FP7  complement  one  another 
with  mutually  reinforcing  actions  and  are 
designed to run side by side in support of the 
Lisbon objectives. CIP is open to the Member 
States  of  the  European  Union.  Subject  to 
bilateral agreements it is likely to be opened 
to  the  members  of  the  European  Economic 
Area,  and  candidate  countries.  Participation 
of  other  third  countries,  especially  Western 
Balkan,  European  Neighbourhood  or  MED 
Partner countries may also be negotiated.

More information http://ec.europa.eu/
enterprise/enterprise_policy/cip/index_
en.htm

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RESEARCh ACqUIRING SMES / 27

European Commission

SMES IN fP7: A hANdS-ON GUIdE 

Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

2007 — 32 pp. — format 21.0 x 29.7 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-04792-3

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