European 7th Framework program gets underway

Europe's largest R&D program has cleared its final hurdles and will issue its first call for proposals later this month. The Cdn$79-billion Seventh Framework Program runs from 2007 to 2001 and offers funding to projects in four thematic areas: cooperation, ideas, people and capacities. Canada can participate in Framework programs as long as a European company or research institute is the project leader. Final adjustments to the Framework involved several issues. These included ensuring the funding will flow to projects for children's health, respiratory diseases, neglected diseases and fisheries, as well as measures to facilitate participation by smaller companies. Of the total budget, $4 billion is earmarked for the Euratom program (fusion energy research and fission and radiation protection). A major part of the funding allocated for energy will go to renewables and end-use efficiency, with the remainder going to clean coal technologies and carbon capture and storage....