Guide to EU R&D funding opportunities

Earlier this month, the European Commission launched a "Practical Guide to EU funding opportunities for Research and Innovation," aimed at helping all stakeholders to find their way into the different existing European Union funding.

It points out that, central to the realization of the research goals of the Lisbon Agenda (Marketletters passim) is the need to promote the knowledge economy, in particular through research, technological development and innovation. EU support for RTDI is provided mainly through the 7th Research Framework Program, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Program and the Structural & Cohesion Funds. If their impact is to be maximized, it is essential that these sources of funding are used in a coherent way, it stresses.

When operating individually, these three funding sources already act as effective tools in support of RTDI. However, the Commission notes, their value can be further enhanced by combining them.