FP7 Instruments

Collaborative Projects - STREP and IP

Collaborative Projects (CP) can be either Small or Medium Scale Focused Research Actions (STREP) or Large Scale Integrating Projects (IP), with the participation of research organisations, industry players and SMMEs. Public bodies (non-profit), Secondary and higher education establishments, Research organisations, non-profit & Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMMEs) typically can request 75% of eligible costs, with 100% possible for certain cost categories. A contribution towards overhead costs is additional.

STREPs are typically focused on specific objective-driven research, 2 - 3 years in duration with 6 - 15 (minimum 3) partners and € 1 - € 4 million budget (average € 2 million), based on the experience of FP6. Designed to produce new knowledge in a specific thematic area, STREPs have clearly defined scientific and technological objectives directed at obtaining specific results, which could be applicable in terms of development or improvement of products, processes, services or policy.

IPs are typically focused on producing new knowledge in a specific thematic area and achieving ambitious objectives through integration and critical mass. Project activities can include STD, demonstrations, technology transfer or take up activities, training and dissemination. IPs are typically of 3 - 5 year duration, 10 - 20 partners and an EU contribution of € 4 - € 20 million (average € 10 million), based on the experience of FP6.

Networks of Excellence

Networks of Excellence (NoE) provide support to a Joint Programme of Activities implemented by a number of research organisations integrating their activities in a given field, carried out by research teams in the framework of longer term co-operation. NoEs typically include 6 - 12 partners (primarily research organisations), of 4 - 5 years duration and an EU contribution under FP6 of €4 - €10 (average €5 m). The total budget cannot be more than a quarter of the sum of the overall budgets of the participants.

Coordination and Support Actions

Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) provide support to activities aimed at coordinating or supporting research activities and policies (networking, exchanges, trans-national access to research infrastructures, studies, conferences, etc). Neither Coordination Actions (CAs) nor Support Actions (SAs) can undertake research and technological development activities. While both CAs and SAs are eligible for 100% costs, overheads are limited to 7%.

CAs are focused on coordination of research or the creation of a network and under FP6 typically had 13 - 26 partners, 1 - 2 years duration and an EU contribution of € 0.5 - € 2 million (average € 1 million). SAs are designed to underpin the implementation of the Programme, help prepare for future Community RTD policy activities. Activities can include conferences, studies, feasibility studies and development of research or innovation strategies. SAs are unique in that they can have only one partner. Under FP6, there were 1 - 15 partners, 1 - 3 years duration, and EU contribution of € 0.3 - € 3 million (average € 0.5 million) .