Simplifying access to the EU research Framework Programme

Brussels, 16 June 2005

The European Commission is co-hosting a 2-day workshop “Simplifying participation in EU research – Opening up accessibility for all” to review a series of proposed new measures which look to simplify access to the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research 2007-2013. Fewer bureaucratic hurdles in research and innovation activities should allow small actors, in particular, to participate more easily. The following issues will be addressed during the workshop: legal and financial rules, Community funding schemes, intellectual property rights, and evaluation and selection processes.

On April, 6, the Commission put forward an ambitious proposal for the EU Seventh Research Framework Programme 2007-2013 (FP7). Subtitled “Building the European research area of knowledge for growth”, FP7 is designed to respond to the competitiveness and employment needs of the EU. The Commission proposed in particular to double the annual FP7 budget compared with FP6, rising to EUR 67.8 billion over the period 2007-2013. The Commission proposal also emphasizes the simplification of procedures and rules for participating in the Framework Programme and to that end was accompanied by a working paper on proposals for simplification of FP7.

Janez Potočnik, Commissioner responsible for science and research, said: “The Framework Programme attracts many participants and many parts are over-subscribed. But one of the most common complaints I hear from participants is that it is too bureaucratic and too burdensome. This criticism appears to be borne out in practice. Simplification is a major priority if we are to achieve our ambitious goals with the Seventh Framework Programme, particularly in terms of making it more relevant to the needs of industry.”

A key feature of FP7 will thus be a significant simplification of its operation compared with its predecessors. The measures envisaged in this respect are described in the Working Document on simplification and management of FP7 that accompanied the Commission proposal of 6 April. The Commission also intends to create an executive agency to handle those parts of the programme that are heavy on administration, but not particularly policy-driven, such as Marie Curie grants and fellowships and other mobility actions, support to small- and medium-size enterprises, as well as administrative tasks related to other research projects.

Simplifying the administrative and financial rules and procedures of FP7 will be a decisive factor in its success. The series of measures proposed by the Commission to address issues relating to implementation include:

• Rationalising the funding schemes – a new approach based on a simpler set of funding instruments
• Using simpler, less bureaucratic language that is user-friendly
• Reducing the number and size of documents
• Reducing the number of requests to participants and instituting a light submission procedure
• Reducing a priori controls (i.e. controls before the project is approved)
• Increasing the autonomy of consortia
• Streamlining the selection process
• Exploring new modes of funding and simplifying the cost-based funding system.

The workshop is jointly organised by the European Commission and the Luxembourg Presidency and hosted by the European Court of Auditors.

Item source: IP/05/745 Date: 16/06/2005 Previous Item Back to Titles Print Item