In May 2010, there were Finnish participants in 586 EU-funded projects within the FP7.

Participations by Finnish partners are divided by organisation type as follows: universities 34%, research centres 31%, large companies 12%, SMEs 12%, polytechnics 1% and others 8%.

According to preliminary estimates, Finland is to receive funding from the Framework Programme about € 400 million. (31 May 2010)

EU Research Framework Programmes

The EU's long-term Research Framework Programme (FP) is the main instrument of EU science and technology policy. The goals, focus areas and volume of EU research policy are defined with the help of the five-year FP, which includes European Union (EU) and European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) programmes. The EU has its own research organisation, the Joint Research Centre (JRC). In Finland, issues related to EU research and technology policy are prepared and coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The European Union's Research Framework Programme funds R&D projects and networks that are carried out through international cooperation. Research centres, universities, small and large companies and other organisations that conduct or utilise research, such as a federation or a city, are eligible to participate in the Programme. Projects are selected for funding from among the proposals submitted to the European Commission during the given periods of application. The proposals are evaluated by external experts representing various fields and in vited by the Commission.

Additional information:
www.tekes.fi/eu/en

COST

COST, European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research, coordinates nationally funded research between its 35 Member States in Europe through its cooperation networks (COST Actions). The primary goal of this cooperation, established in 1971, is to raise the standard and competitiveness of the research carried out in Europe. Thus, it strongly supports the fulfilment of the EU's Lisbon strategy objectives. COST projects aim to coordinate and bring together research dispersed across different countries, to create long-standing researcher networks, to exchange the latest information on the research topic, to create permanent forums for the cooperation of various actors in the field and to bring new important topics to the European research agenda.

Additional information:
www.cost.eu

EUREKA

The EUREKA Initiative is a European cooperation network established in 1985, which carries out nationally funded industrial R&D. Thirty-nine countries as well as the European Union, which is represented by the European Commission, are members of EUREKA. The aim of EUREKA is to raise the competitiveness of European companies to a top level in the world. The projects are market-oriented, industry-driven high-technology R&D projects initiated by European industrial companies and intended for developing products, processes and services for global markets. Through its activities, EUREKA has since 1985 proven its importance in strengthening European technology cooperation and the competitiveness of European industry, which has increased employment and general welfare in accordance with EUREKA’s strategic plan.

Additional information:
www.eurekanetwork.org