Funding for R & D
The Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development are the European Union's main instruments for supporting collaborative research, development and innovations in science, engineering and technology.
The seventh Framework Programme will cover a 7-year-period from 2007 until 2013 with a budget over €50 billion. There are many positive changes in FP7 to encourage and facilitate the participation of SMEs including the funding of R&D at 75%. Training activities and project management activities will be funded at 100% and a considerable flat-rate is also applied to cover overheads that arise from the project. There is a considerable reduction in the requirement for audit certificates, financial checks and bank guarantees making the Programme much more SME friendly. The extended duration of the Programme may also prove advantageous with a greater continuity of the rules and processes put in place. SMEs willing to learn these rules and processes at the early stage of the programme will be well positioned to benefit from the programme over the next seven years.
To date in FP7, Irish SMEs have been very proactive in participation in this programme. This has resulted in Irish SMEs having a fantastic success rate as compared to other European countries, with a success rate of 27.8%. The European average is 17%.
Framework Programme 7 presents fresh opportunities for SMEs, via the “Research for the benefit of SMEs” programme, to engage with other European players and form lasting relationships. This series of seminars will provide the opportunity for the attendees to hear first hand from experienced framework participants and the opportunity to network amongst their industry and third level peers.
The next call for proposals in Framework Programme 7 in the capacities programme "Research for the Benefit of SMEs" will open 30th July 2009 and will close 3rd December 2009. This call is providing funding of €136 million which will provide funding for approximately 110 projects.
To learn more about this programme, Enterprise Ireland will host a series of information seminars highlighting the opportunities and support structures for Irish SMEs to become involved in projects within the EU 7th Framework Programme.
This is a free information event.The event will be morning (half day).
To register for any of these events, please enter the weblinks provided here.
Dublin Event - weblink http://www.fp7ireland.com/Events.aspx?WCI=htmEvent&WCU=EVENT_PKEY=92