FP7 is the short name for the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, the European Union’s main instrument for funding research in Europe.
For a pocket guide for newcomers, please visit FP7 in brief - How to get involved in the EU 7th Framework Programme for research
|
|
|
2. The ‘FIRE’ project aims to help small, medium enterprises (SMEs). How does the EC define an SME? |
|
The following summary is a useful initial guideline.
| Enterprise category |
Headcount Annual Work Unit |
Annual Turnover |
Annual Balance sheet total |
| medium-sized |
< 250 |
≤ € 50 million |
≤ € 43 million |
| small |
< 50 |
≤ € 10 million |
≤ € 10 million |
| micro |
< 10 |
≤ € 2 million |
≤ € 2 million |
For a complete definition, please visit
SME definition User guide and model declaration - Enterprise and Industry Publications |
|
|
3. Do I have to be an SME to access EC funding? |
|
No, organizations of all sizes can participate however the ‘FIRE’ Project is funded by the European Commission specifically to facilitate the involvement of SMEs in the Energy Work Programme. |
|
|
4. How much will it cost to become involved in FIRE? |
|
FIRE is sponsored by the EC and there is no cost to participating SMEs. |
|
|
5. How can I find out if my company is suitable to join an EC funded project? |
|
One way ‘FIRE’ can help you is to ask you to complete an Innovation Survey. The results of this questionnaire will enable the FIRE project team to give you feedback about your innovation capacity, innovation needs and RTD expertise relative to other SMEs. To obtain an Innovation Survey questionnaire please contact your local FIRE SME coordinator Regional Contacts. |
|
|
6. How much funding can I expect to receive? |
|
An SME participating in FP7 receives 75% of total eligible costs (before profit) plus 60% overheads. |
|
|
7. I have an idea for a project proposal, what should I do next? |
- Firstly, we ask you to complete a ‘Proposal Ideas’ template including a brief description of your proposal, the stage of development, partners you’ve already identified and those you are seeking, and how your idea progresses the state of the art.
- Secondly, your idea would be reviewed by Energy experts on the FIRE project team who will give you feedback to help you decide whether to proceed with a full proposal, and advice on which part of the FP7 program would best fit.
- If you then decide to go ahead with a full proposal we’d help you to put together a strong consortium, by carrying out a partner search for you from our extensive database
|
|
|
8. What about confidentiality of my idea? |
- Your ‘proposal idea’ will initially only be made available to the Energy experts within the FIRE consortium. Any future dissemination to a wider audience as part of a partner search would only be carried out with your prior approval.
- Non Disclosure Agreements (NDA) are available and can be put into place upon request before the in-depth sharing of proposal ideas
|
|
|
9. How can ‘FIRE’ help me to find a partner? |
|
400 SMEs registered from all over Europe have completed a detailed questionnaire which includes their specific areas of interest and expertise. Our partner searches can therefore be very focused both geographically and technologically, to provide the best possible partner matches. |
|
|
All participants in collaborative projects - FIRE is a collaborative project - contribute to research, however much or little that is, and everyone shares the IPR by agreement. Please visit Intellectual Property Rights Helpdesk for further help on IPR issues related to EU funded projects. |
|
|
11. What is a ‘Working Group’ and how can I join? |
|
Nine international working groups - each tailored to a specific renewable energy area - have been created to increase the chance of success of proposals, provide you with more focussed FP7 opportunities in your sector, and facilitate meaningful relationships between SMEs. When you register on the FIRE website you are automatically assigned to a group/s. |
|
|
12. How can I find a suitable call for my proposal idea? |
|
CORDIS the Community Research and Development Information Service for Science, Research and Development, is the official source of information on the seventh framework programme (FP7) calls for proposals; it offers interactive web facilities that link together researchers, policymakers, managers and key players in the field of research. |
|
|
13. What different funding instruments are available? |
There are 2 different funding instruments within FP7:
- Collaborative
Eg FIRE. In a collaborative project EVERYONE (including SMEs) contributes to research however much/little it is. Everyone gets paid for their contribution, and everyone shares the IPR by agreement
- Research for the benefit of SMEs (used to be called CRAFT)
In this situation the SME has no research capability and all the research is carried out by the university/RTO who gets 90% of the funding. However, the IPR goes to the SMEs for further exploitation
|
|
FAQs