Alan Cross, European Commission FP7 Open Day Riga, 16 November 2010

1. EU Framework Programme: taking stock, and looking ahead Alan Cross, European Commission FP7 Open Day Riga, 16 November 2010

2. A bit of history • FP7 Snapshot • current status, and the mid-term review • Looking ahead

3. A bit of history

4. Main characteristics ofEU programmes • All funding through multi-annual “Framework Programmes” • Currently FP7 (2006-2013) • Agreed by Council (Member States) and European Parliament • Calls for proposals issued with fixed deadlines • Mostly top-down, with objectives and topics for research set out in annual “work programmes” • …but also substantial bottom-up element with the European Research Council

5. FrameworkProgramme: increased funding, but still only minor fraction of total public R&D funding in EU

6. FP7 budget (€ 50 521 million, current prices) • Note: Euratom FP: €2.7 billion over 5 years - not included above

7. Objectives of EU researchpolicy* Strengthening the scientific and technological bases of Europeanindustry, By achieving a EuropeanReseach Area in whichresearchers and scientificknowledgecirculatefreely And encouragingit to become more competitiveat international level Whilepromoting all researchdeemednecessary by otherchapters of the Treaty Researchis a competencesharedwith the Member States. [* Article 179 TFEU* Treaty on the Functioning of the EU…ie. LisbonTreaty] Since Treaty of Lisbon

8. The European Research Area

9. The European Research Area EU27 + EC

10. FP7 Snapshot

11. Headline statistics • 170 calls for proposals • 55,000 proposals have been received (2007-2009) • 235,000 applicants organisations and individuals included in evaluation procedure • Over 9000 proposals selected for funding • Involving over 50,000 participants • Requesting EU funding of €15bn • Average success rate of around 22% • About 14.5% of all participants are SMEs

12. Success rates (EU27)

13. Latest calls • The 2011 Work programme adopted on 19 July, accompanied by a major press and communication effort • 46 calls published on 20 July • 17 more calls published after the “big bang” • Strong orientation towards innovation, including special measures to promote participation of SMEs • 2012 work programmes: preparation is beginning, similar timetable envisaged.

14. FP7 Interim evaluation

15. Basics • FP7 Decision: • Interim Evaluation “no later than” 2010 • To cover FP as a whole • Specific reviews in some areas (ERC, RSFF, INFSO …) • Carried out by a group of 10 external experts • Meetings from March to October 2010 • Final Report submitted on 31 October 2010 15

16. Evaluation Report:First Key Message • FP7 is on course and is clearly making a significant contribution to European science and the development of the European Research Area • There are acknowledged difficulties in some aspects of its implementation, but it is important to applaud what is good about it 04/11/10 16

17. FP7 Interim Evaluation Ten recommendations (1) • Advance ERA and Innovation Union objectives, overcoming fragmentation in research. Concentrate resources on fewer topics (Grand Challenges) where critical mass is necessary • Develop high quality research infrastructure • Maintain level of funding, both for FP7 in its latter stages and for a successor programme. • A well-articulated innovation strategy is needed • Simplification needs a quantum leap • For FP7: implement proposed simplification measures • For FP8: Use revision of the Financial Regulations 17

18. FP7 Interim Evaluation Ten recommendations (2) • Mix of funding measures should strike a different balance between bottom-up and top-down approaches • Consider a moratorium on new instruments until the existing ones have been sufficiently developed and adequately evaluated. • Take further steps to increase female participation • Pave the way for increased participation from Member States that are under-represented • Promote opening of the FP7 to international cooperation by devoting more resources – and review the strategy 18

19. Looking ahead

20. Looking ahead to FP8 Still early days…. ….but the pieces of the policy jig-saw are falling into place: Previous evaluation studies FP7 Interim review Debate on simplification Europe 2020 and the Innovation Union flagship initiative EU Budget review …

21. Some of the key issues • Budgetary context • Increasing the impact of research • Making every euro count • Designing a programme to deliver innovation • Innovation Union Flagship initiative • Tackling societal challenges • Balance between curiosity-driven and targeted research • The role of FP8 in achieving the European Research Area • De-fragmenting the research landscape • Free movement of ideas and researchers • Financial and non-financial mechanisms • Streamlined procedures and the debate on simplification

22. Timeline • Feb 2011: “FP8” Communication • Mid 2011: Multi-annual Financial Framework • End 2011: “FP8” Proposals • 2012: Proposals for further developing ERA • 2012-2013: Debate in Council and EP • 2014: Launch of new Programme EUROPEAN COMMISSION - Research DG

23. Broad stakeholder consultation in 2011 • Triggered by a Commission Communication • Scheduled for adoption February 2011 • Views to be gathered via an open internet questionnaire • Position papers submitted spontaneously also welcome • A wrap-up event is planned, late-May • Commission will then finalise its proposals: • Framework Programme (“Lisbon” and Euratom) • Specific Programmes • Rules for Participation • Accompanied by impact assessments • And then the inter-institutional process begins

24. Thank you for your attention!