Legal Eye: EU funding for IT

Known as the Seventh Framework Program for Research, the funding is intended to help achieve one of the basic tenets of the Lisbon Strategy, which is the development of a seamless knowledge-based economy throughout the EU. Funding for the research and development of information and communication technologies, as well as nano- and biotechnologies, is expected to take up at least 50 percent of the total budget. The proposed budget, if adopted, would represent a more than two-fold increase in the amount previously made available for research and development by the EU. Depending on the nature of the research, the EU is prepared to provide funding of up to 100 percent of the cost of the project.

History of the program Dating back to 1984, the EU has funded research in technological development in a series of successive multiannual programs. Following the adoption of the Lisbon Strategy in 2000, funding for information and communication technologies took on increased importance as the EU identified the need to develop more user-friendly technologies, especially those technologies applicable to teaching, training, tele-working, e-commerce, administration, healthcare and providing greater mobility to the elderly and disabled. In 2002, the European Research Area was created specifically for the purpose of promoting cooperation among the various stakeholders throughout the EU, including participants from the economic, social and scientific sectors. A new European Research Council will be created to support and coordinate EU-funded research as part of the Seventh Framework Program for Research.

Four goals The Seventh Framework Program for Research identifies four main goals to be achieved between now and 2013. The first goal, referred to as the Cooperation Program, is intended to improve the links between industry and research across the EU, and, in particular, to identify and support leadership in priority areas, including healthcare, IT, nano-sciences, agriculture, environmental protection, energy, transport, security and space.

The second goal is to promote and support scientific inquiry, including IT research. To help achieve this goal, the new European Research Council will be created to support and coordinate research projects across the EU.

Furthermore, funding will be available to educate and train researchers and, especially, to encourage more highly qualified young researchers.

The final goal, and perhaps the one that offers the most immediate benefit to Poland, is the creation and expansion of research centers of excellence. Specifically, funding will be available to develop new research centers in the poorest areas of the EU. Poland stands to gain significant benefits in the form of funding for investment in research infrastructure projects.

How to apply? Just about anybody can apply. Funding is available to both individuals and corporations, in addition to universities, international organizations and research institutes.

Funding requests may be submitted in response to specific tenders published in the Official Journal of the EU, which may also be found on the Commission's web page. A tender will almost always be announced at least three months in advance of selecting the winning application(s). The selection process will usually be divided into two stages, first, the submission of a summary proposal, followed by the submission of a more detailed proposal if chosen for consideration.  

Paul Fogo is a senior attorney with Miller, Canfield,W Babicki & Partners; fogo@pl.millercanfield.com