Researchers chase €4 billion

The European Commission will open the gates on Friday (22 December) to applications for €4 billion of EU research funding.

European researchers can apply for money under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research into topics ranging from nanotechnology to influenza.

The total €50.5bn FP7 budget will be split between several calls for proposals over the next seven years.

Friday’s call is expected to attract thousands of applicants from all member states. Researchers have until next spring to send their project ideas to Brussels but are unlikely to see a decision - or money - before the end of 2007.

Daniel Pipeleers of the Brussels Free University (VUB) was given money under the last research frame-work, FP6, for work to find a cure for diabetes using cell therapy.

He said the framework programmes were extremely important to scientists.

As well as freeing up money for projects that might otherwise never be possible, the programmes helped researchers protect their findings when necessary, he said, at the same time as improving their communication strategies.

Pipeleers said applicants had to draw up a research proposal and put a price tag on their project without knowing exactly how much money is available.

"It would be very complicated for the Commission to say how much money is on offer in every case," he explained. "Plus if everyone knew the maximum available they would probably all just apply for that amount."

His diabetes project won €12 million under FP6 - 70% of the amount it applied for.

Most FP7 money supports ‘translational research’: the phase between a discovery being made and a new therapy or treatment emerging.

Pipeleers warned this could mean European research being lost to the US when it comes to clinical trials, the final phase of research.

"I think the EU should think very seriously about the consequences of clinical trials going to the States," said the academic.

"Of course science is universal, but it is important Europe takes the necessary action to support clinical trials," he added.

The European Commission will open the gates on Friday (22 December) to applications for €4 billion of EU research funding.

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