The European Parliament approves the Seventh Framework Programme -FP7, first calls to be published in 3 weeks

It’s the biggest deal in European science history:  a €53 billion, 7-year funding program aimed at integrating Europe’s fractured research scene and keeping the continent economically competitive.

The European Parliament has left its marks on FP7 over the past year; among other actions, it has increased the originally proposed funding to promote career options for young scientists and women, put more emphasis on neglected diseases, and increased participation of small and medium-sized businesses.

Formally, FP7 still needs to be approved by the Council of Ministers, in which Europe’s governments deliberate. But after intense informal discussions between the two bodies in the past few months, the version now adopted by the Parliament is certain to be approved without further discussion by the council in a meeting later this month, says commission spokesperson Antonia Mochan.

The commission expects to launch its first calls for proposals for FP7 on 22 December.

Source: ScienceNOW Daily News “Europe Adopts €53 Billion Research Plan” by Martin Enserink

See also European Parliament news: Green light for FP7