The Seventh EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7 2007-2013) will have a budget of over €50 billion - substantially larger than the FP6 budget. There is greater potential for participation by Ireland's researchers.

FP7 covers four Specific Research Programmes:

1. Cooperation (€32.202 billion)
2. Ideas (€7.460 billion)
3. People (€4.577 billion)
4. Capacities (€4.193 billion)

Click here to see the pocket guide to FP7

Seventy five percent of the activities are a continuation of FP6. Twenty five percent of the FP7 activities are new - these include the Ideas (European Research Council) Programme that is closer to the Science Foundation Ireland model than to the other parts of FP7. Ireland's researchers have already demonstrated their ability to achieve research excellence. 

An enhanced national support structure has been put in place for FP7, headed by a National Director and supported by a core unit and dedicated teams - see Contacts for details. The National Delegates and National Contact Points are already reviewing the relevant Work Programmes and content of the First Calls and they have commenced interactions with potential participants. 

The first FP7 Calls for Proposals were launched in December 2006. 

Ireland's researchers drew down almost €200 million from the sixth EU Framework Programme (FP6 2002-2006)*

Higher Education researchers are the primary beneficiaries accounting for 70% of funding.  Private industry accounts for 20%, with two thirds associated with SMEs and one third with MNCs.

Four Thematic Priorities with Human Resources and Mobility account for 72% of the funding.  The Thematic Priorities are:

1. Life Sciences, Genomics & Biotechnology for Health
2. Information Society Technologies
3. Nanotechnologies, Nanosciences, Materials & Production Technologies
4. Food Quality & Safety

*Source: Forfás database on Irish participation in FP6 (October 2006: €198,152,365 provisional)