Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)

Details of current funding deadlines of interest to marine researchers are detailed below.

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) is the EU’s main RTD funding programme for the period 2007-2013. With a total budget of more than €50 billion, and marine science and technology identified as a priority cross-cutting theme, FP7 offers major opportunities for Irish marine researchers.

FP7 is made up of four Specific Programmes:

• Cooperation (€32.4bn)
• Capacities (€4.1bn)
• People (€4.75bn)
• Ideas (€7.5bn)

Further details of these Programmes and the opportunities they provide for marine researchers can be found on the FP7 Programmes page. Specific calls of interest to marine researchers are regularly posted on the FP7 Calls page.

Both Ireland's Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation and Sea Change Strategy recognise and stress the importance of international research collaboration. To underpin this goal, there are a range of dedicated and proactive support services to help both new and experienced Framework Programme applicants. Further details are provided on our FP7 Support Services page.

EU Launches 4th Call for proposals for its €50bn 7th Framework Research Programme (2007-2013)

On the 30th July the European Union launched the 4th call for proposals for its €50billion 7th Framework Research Programme (2007-2013).  The call announces a suite of collaborative research funding opportunities under a number of Thematic Programmes. Full details of the call are available on the EU’s Cordis website.

Deadlines of interest to marine researchers:

• Theme 9: Security: 26th November 2009
  
• Research for the Benefit of SMEs: 3rd December 2009
• Capacities Programme: Infrastructures-1: 3rd December 2009
  
• Theme 10: Space: 8th December 2009
  
• Theme 6: Environment including Climate Change: 5th January 2010
  
• Theme 2: Food, Agriculture, Fisheries & Biotechnology: 14th January 2010
  
• Theme 7: Transport: 14th January 2010
  
• The Ocean of Tomorrow Programme: 14th January 2010
  
• Regions of Knowledge: 14th January 2010
  
• International Co-operation Activities (INCO): 19th January 2010
  
• Theme 5: Energy: 4th March 2010

For further information on any of the above Programmes, please contact the National Contact Point: http://www.fp7ireland.com/contacts.aspx

Irish Researchers involvement in FP7 Marine Projects (2007-2008)

Some FP7 Facts and Figures:

• Irish researchers are involved in 22 collaborative marine research projects worth over €163 million in project costs and are in direct receipt of €8.8 million of grant-aid.  
• Irish researchers are performing particularly well in four of the FP7 Specific Themes: Environment (7 projects); Transport (4 projects); Food (3 projects); Energy (2 projects).     
• Two public research institutes (Marine Institute, Central Fisheries Board), four third level institutes (University College Cork, National University of Ireland-Galway, University of Limerick Dundalk Institute of Technology), two representative bodies (Irish Exporters Association, Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport) and eleven Irish SMEs are currently participating in FP7 marine projects and co-operating with over 290 foreign research centres and SMEs.  
• Three projects (CORES, CORALFISH and MABFUEL), all led by Ireland, are each in receipt of grant-aid of €1 million or over. One of these projects, MABFUEL (Marine Algae as Biomass for Biofuel), is led by an SME the Daithi O’Murchu Marine Research Station Ltd., illustrating that a small innovative SME can compete successfully at the European level    
• The Irish drawdown of EU grant-aid for marine research represents an impressive 8% of the Irish total drawdown over the period 2007-2008.  

In 2009, a further 8 marine projects with Irish participation (grant-aid €2.7 million) have been approved for funding.

Frther information on the 22 projects with Irish participation can be found in the Marine Institute's Directory of FP7 Marine Projects (2007-2008).