The European Research Area (ERA) is composed of all research and development
activities, programmes and policies in Europe which involve a transnational perspective.
The Framework Programme contributes to the further development of ERA and its
initiatives. The
Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) runs from 2007 to 2013 and has a total budget
of over € 50 billion. FP7 is formed of five Specific Programmes: Cooperation, Ideas,
People, Capacities and Nuclear Research and calls for proposals in support of these
programmes are issued throughout the year.
Further information about the Framework Programme and current calls can be found
on the European Commission
CORDIS website where comprehensive information about EU research can be found.
The Framework Programme includes the European Research Council (ERC) and the
ERA-NET Programme.
RCUK participates in a number of
ERA-NET programmes which were introduced as part of FP6 and are a mechanism
that fosters collaborative is working among national or regional agencies and research
programmes.
The
European Research Council (ERC) falls under the ‘Ideas’ Scientific Programme
of FP7. ERC grants are awarded on a competitive basis to researchers who are working
or moving to work in Europe. Further information about the ERC and current calls
can be found on their website
Other European organisations include European Science Foundation (ESF) and EUROHORCs.
RCUK have been closely engaged with discussions surrounding the qualified merger of ESF and EUROHORCs leading to the creation of ScienceEurope.
RCUK are members
European Science Foundation (ESF) an association of 79 member organisations
devoted to research in 30 European countries, committed to facilitating cooperation
and collaboration in European research on behalf of its principal stakeholders (Member
Organisations and Europe's scientific community).
The Research Councils are members of Science Europe, which is an association of European Research Funding Organisations (RFO) and Research Performing Organisations (RPO), based in Brussels. It supports its member organisations in their efforts to foster European research.