NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 Towards FP 7: Preliminary principles and orientations… Nicholas Hartley European Commission DG Research DG Research - NMP Priority Nanotechnologies, knowledge-based Materials & new Production

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 “Policy challenges and budgetary means of the Enlarged Union ”  Three priorities for the next financial perspectives: - Sustainable development (competitiveness, cohesion and sustainable management and protection of natural resources) - EU citizenship (completion of an area of freedom, justice, security and access to basic public goods) - The EU as a global partner: its external relations Proposals for the next budgetary period : COM(2004) 101 – 26 February 2004

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 Commission Communication on future research policy Commission Communication on future research policy COM (2004) 353 – June 16, 2004 “Science and technology, the key to Europe’s future ”  Focusing future research support on 6 key challenges for Europe  Continuing and reinforcing existing activities  Developing new approaches and ensuring effective management  Launching a debate on the way forward for the 7th Framework Programme. Contributions are welcome!

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 Six major objectives: 1.Creating EU centres of excellence through collaboration between labs 2.Launching EU technological initiatives 3.Stimulating the creativity of basic research through competition between teams at EU level 4.Making EU more attractive for the best researchers 5.Developing research infrastructures 6.Improving the coordination of national research programmes Commission Communication on future research policy COM (2004) 353 – June 16, 2004

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 Commission RTD policy proposals – “key axes” Collaborative research Basic research, competitive funding Technology initiatives Human resources Research infrastructures Coordination of national programmes Six axes and two new research fields: space and security new

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 New approaches for FP7 European TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES Launching public private partnerships for research in key technologies – strong industrial lead & impact  Formation of “technology platforms” with key stakeholders (e.g. Sustainable Chemistry)  Definition of strategic research agendas  Implementation of research agendas (“Technology Initiative”) through :  Support to collaborative research (e.g. Integrated Projects); or…  …a limited number based on Article 171 ( “joint undertakings” - Council decision)

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 New approaches for FP 7 BASIC RESEARCH & COMPETITIVE FUNDING European Research Council A funding body with full autonomy, fully accountable  Support top EU teams against strong competition  “Investigator-driven” research (no pre-determined topics)  All fields of science & the humanities  Strict peer review – will drive up quality of EU science First proposed in 2002; the debate continues (via EURAB, ALLEA, EUROHORCS,…); now needs political commitment. Structure & organisation …to be agreed and decided.

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 Continuing and reinforcing activities in FP7 COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH Creating European centres of excellence through collaboration between laboratories (universities, research centres and industries)  Continuity with FP6, but with improvements,  e.g. regarding instruments, procedures etc.  Focused priorities  Where European value added is greatest  To support EU policy objectives

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 COORDINATION of PROGRAMMES Improving the coordination of national and regional research programmes  Reinforce ERA-Net scheme and extend funding to research activities  Use of Article 169 ( … Member States can “go it alone” – but “Co-decision” needed, therefore potentially slow)  Reinforce links with other European research organisations Continuing and reinforcing activities in FP7

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES Developing research infrastructure in the European interest  Continued support for transnational access, networking and improved performance  Support to construction and operation of new infrastructures  Role for “European Strategic Forum for Research Infrastructures” (ESFRI) Continuing and reinforcing activities in FP7

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 HUMAN RESOURCES Making Europe more attractive for the best researchers  Build on success of Marie Curie actions  Trans-national, trans-sectoral, and industry-academia mobility  Research careers and life-long learning  International dimension Continuing and reinforcing activities in FP7

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 FP7- institutional debate: where are we?  Transnational collaborative research remains the core activity of the FP and priority research topics identified on the basis of competitiveness and other Community policy objectives  Emphasis on industry-driven character of Technology Initiatives  Overall support to Basic research activities and to a possible new management mechanism to be set up (ERC?)  Importance of attracting researchers to Europe  Explore complementary funding mechanisms to support new infrastructures (not only up-grading/access)  Improved procedures and management … Budget issue: still open….

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005 June 2004 Communication on the future of EU research policy Oct 2004Open consultation on the Communicationhttp://europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/index_en.html Development work in consultation with the onwards community (e.g. research topics, instruments, procedures, management) National (and regional) debates on FP7 Spring Council 2005Adoption of the financial perspectives Early 2005 FP7 proposal, Extended Impact Assessment 2006 Decision on FP7 Timetable

NMP-NCP meeting - Brussels, 27 Jan 2005