EU framework programme processes: Adoption, implementation, evaluation

Over the past 35 years, the European Union (EU) institutions have adopted eight framework programmes for research. The lifecycles of these framework programmes have been progressively streamlined and aligned with the general guidelines for the adoption of EU programmes.

These lifecycles unfold in four key phases: adoption, implementation, execution, and evaluation, with the EU institutions being in charge of all phases except execution.

The adoption of a new framework programme includes the preparation of an impact assessment, the preparation of the European Commission proposals and the adoption of the various legislative acts by the European Parliament and the Council to establish the programme.

The implementation phase covers the adoption of the work programmes and the selection of the projects to be funded.

Following the execution of the research and innovation activities, the evaluation phase aims to assess the outcomes of the programmes and whether the initial objectives have been met.

In 2018, a new cycle is expected to start for the adoption of the ninth framework programme for research and innovation (FP9) to be effective by 2020.

Understanding the processes that take place under each phase of this cycle is important for the preparation and adoption of the key legislative acts, establishing (1) the framework programme itself, (2) the specific programmes for implementation, and (3) the rules for participation, and for dissemination of the programme's results.

Author: Vincent Reillon