New FP7 Funding Call

On July 20th the European Commission launched a series of calls for research proposals under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7).

There are a number of differences from previous calls:

  • They are the biggest ever calls for proposals;

  • There is a much stronger focus on innovation and on tackling the toughest challenges of our era, in particular climate change, energy and food security, the need for greater resource efficiency, health and our ageing population;

  • The calls focus more than ever before on SMEs, including a package close to €1 billion;

  • There will be more support for building the European Research Area (a single market for knowledge, with free movement of ideas and researchers);

There will be more support for getting ideas to market by putting emphasis on better market take-up of the research findings.

Within the Call, there are specific marine research opportunities under the Ocean of Tomorrow programme and a number of Thematic Areas of the Co-operation programme.

Ocean of Tomorrow 2012

The focus of the Ocean of Tomorrow 2012 Call for Proposals is on supporting the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MFSD 2008/56/EC), addressing the research gaps regarding the definition and monitoring of good environmental status (GES) and to give special attention to mitigation measures and to SME participation. Ten topics are included in the call which has a budget of €42 million and has various deadlines between 20th October and 1st December 2011.

Theme 2: Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Biotechnology (€25 million, Deadline: 15th November 2011)     

  1. Integrating the role of marine benthic ecosystems in fisheries management (€6m – 15% SME);
  2. Providing molecular tools for assessing and monitoring the potential genetic impact of aquaculture on native populations (€3m – 15%  SME); 
  3. Contaminants in seafood and their impact on public health (€4m - 10% SME); 
  4. Innovative biotechnologies for tackling oil spill disasters (€9m – 25% SME); 
  5. Biotechnological solutions for the degradation of synthetic polymeric materials (€3m - 25% SME).  

DOWNLOAD - Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Biotechnology Work Programme, PDF 322KB

Theme 5: Energy (€1million, Deadline – 25th October 2011)

6.   Study of the environmental impacts of noise, vibrations and electromagnetic
       emissions from marine renewables (€1m).

DOWNLOAD - Energy Work Programme, PDF 251KB

Theme 6:  Environment including Climate Change (€13 million, Deadline 20th October 2011)

7.    Innovative tools for understanding and integrated assessment of Good
       Environmental Status (GES) of Marine Waters  (€9m, - 15% SME);
8.    Management and potential impacts of litter in the marine and coastal
       environment  (€3m, - 15% SME);
9.    Improve scientific knowledge base to support the implementation of the Marine
       Strategy Framework Directive (€1m);

DOWNLOAD - Environment (including Climate Change) Work Programme, PDF 196KB 

Theme 7: Transport (€3 million, Deadline 1st December 2011)

10.   Assessment and mitigation of noise impacts of maritime transport on the
       marine environment (€3m).  

DOWNLOAD – Transport Work Programme

 

Further information:

For full details, including description of the individual topics and application details go to the Commission’s Research Participant Portal.

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