European Commission

The European Commission is responsible for the implementation of the European Unions policy and aims to create, amongst other, a common European research area. With this, EC wants both to strengthen the European industry and to co-ordinate the research activities of the member states. One instrument to achieve this goal is the so-called Framework Programme for Research and Technological development (FP) which goes over several years. Within this framework the co-operation between universities, research institutes and companies is supported. It is co-ordinated by the European Direcorates-General for Research which is one of  34 Directorates-General (DG) composing the EC. These departments are, amongst other, advised by the Joint Research Centre of the European Union. More information on this thinkthank you'll find on its website.

The actual Sixth Framwork Programme goes from 2002 until 2006 and has a budget of 17.5 billion EUR, allocating the money to different thematic fields. Anyone who is interested in EU funding programmes can get information at the so-called National Contact Points which are set up in the EU member states to give personalized support in proposers own language.

A more detailed overview of the main research and funding acitivies of the EU is given by the Communitiy Research and Development information service. Scientists, journalists and companies will find extensive explanations about funding opportunities, latest research news and help for applications. This service is provided in several languages.