The Seventh Framework Programme for Research for the period 2007-2013, approved by the European Parliament last week, is subdivided into four specific programmes, with an overall endowment of approximately 54 billion euros. The Cooperation programme “shall promote cooperation between industry and academic research throughout Europe, to achieve leadership in key sectors of technology”. This sphere is in turn subdivided into various priority sectors: health; food products, agriculture and fishing; information technologies; nanosciences and nanotechnologies; energy; environment; transport; socio-economic sciences; security; and space: The Ideas Programme, to be realized under the guidance of the European Council for Research, is aimed at “incentivising the drive, creativity and excellence of European research on the frontiers of knowledge”. The Persons programme will offer “significant support to the mobility and career development of researchers, both in Europe and at the world level”. The EU intends to attract scientists from all over the world and prevent the brain drain that has been going on for decades. Lastly the Skills programme is aimed at “optimising the use and development of the best infrastructures of research existing in Europe” and “contributing to the creation of new infrastructures of research of pan-European interest”.
