Seeking fund synergy

The EU says a synergy between research and regional development is the key to increasing innovation in Europe. The European Commission has devoted its Seventh Framework Program (FP7) to that goal, by finding ways to coordinate the payout of research funds with structural funding. Last week at a conference organized by the National Contact Point for Research Programs of the EU and the Polish Academy of Sciences' Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, experts discussed ways Poland could benefit from the program.

"According to the data Poland is not well placed, but the EU funds should enhance Poland's position. We are introducing the regional component in our activities and aiming at synergy." said Janez Potocnik, EU Commissioner for Research.

FP7 will focus on forward-looking exercises to identify roadmaps for cluster development, partnerships between technologically advanced and less advanced regions and transregional partnerships of public and private research centers.

"Infrastructure, human resources and technology transfer are the areas where the money can go," said Danuta Huebner, EU Commissioner for Regions. "Now our activities are directed to prepare Poland to absorb the funds," she said.

PM Kazimierz Marcinkie-wicz promised to increase the subsidy for research by 16 percent in next year's budget. Huebner and Potocnik agree that now is the time for good projects. "Poland has two tasks, to keep up with the developed parts of Europe, and then as an EU member, to keep up with the US," said MEP Jerzy Buzek.