Materials in the knowledge-society and the role of the EU 7th framework programme

The European Union (EU) is striving to create a single European Research Area that encourages knowledge transfer through networks of world-class European researchers. The most important policy is the 7th Framework Program for Research and Technological Development 2007-2013 (FP7), which has a budget of more than 50 billion€. It bundles all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment, along with a new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Program (CIP), Education and Training programs, and Structural and Cohesion Funds for regional convergence and competitiveness. The broad objectives of FP7 have been grouped into four categories, including cooperation, ideas, people and capacities. For each type of objective, there is a specific program corresponding to the main areas of EU research policy. FP7 is open to a wide range of organizations, and even individuals.