EU-Programmes & Services
The European Commission also sees the life sciences as a key focal point of its activities. In the 7th Framework Programme (from 2007 to 2013) the total available funds of approx. Euro 50 billion are allocated to four specific programmes. Euro 32 billion is reserved for the programme “cooperation” and will be used to specifically promote cooperation projects among academia and industry. For projects from the life science sector, the main areas of interest are those falling within the subdivisions of “ Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Biotechnology” and “Health”. Biotechnology companies are, however, also eligible for funding in the three other categories of “Ideas”, “People” and “Capacities”.
The information platform Cordis (http://cordis.europa.eu) gives a detailed insight into the research and support activities of the European Union. The 7th Framework Programme has its own website, on which the funding schemes are explained in detail and tips are given on how to apply for funding:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_de.html
The National Contact Point Life Sciences (NKS-L) (www.nks-lebenswissenschaften.de) is an advisory service set up on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to cover the thematic fields relating to the life sciences in the 7th Framework Programme. It informs scientists about how they can take part in the EU Framework Programme and gives them advice on application formalities.
KoWi (http://www.kowi.de), the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations, provides information and advice on research funding in the European Union to scientists working at publicly funded research institutions.
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