The EU is making around €7bn available in its latest call for research proposals focuses on innovation and getting good ideas to market. The funding is part of the €53bn available through the current research funding programme for 2007 to 2013.
Research teams from the EU and beyond can apply for the funds, which are helping Europe to develop world-class research and close the innovation gap between the EU and its main competitors, the US and Japan.
To build up science and innovation, the EU wants to increase spending on research to 3% of gross domestic product by 2020 (from 2% in 2009). Achieving that target could create 3.7 million jobs and boost annual growth by about €800bn. The call for research proposals also addresses the aims of the EU's "innovation union" policy. The flagship initiative of the Europe 2020 growth and job strategy is intended to stimulate and speed up innovation in Europe, while removing bottlenecks that prevent good ideas from reaching the market.
The esearch grants will target such areas as
collaborative projects among European researchers and help to commercialise discoveries
supporting researchers - about 10 000 will receive funding through the Marie Curie programme, under which a pilot project is being launched to encourage entrepreneurship and cooperation among universities, research bodies and private companies
environmental challenges - climate change, biodiversity loss, achieving resource efficiency
About 16 000 recipients will receive grants for research projects this year, with about €1bn being used to help small and medium-sized businesses innovate. The majority of the invitations to bid for funds were published on 20 July.
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