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FP6: Introduction

At the Lisbon summit in March 2000, EU governments called for a better use of European research efforts through the creation of an internal market for science and technology - a 'European Research Area' (ERA).
FP6 is the financial instrument to help make ERA a reality.
The Framework Programme has to serve two main strategic objectives:
  • Strengthening the scientific and technological bases of industry.
  • Encourage international competitiveness while promoting research activities in support of other EU policies.
These two objectives have set the scene in which FP6 was drafted.

Thematic Areas

  • Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health
  • Information society technologies
  • Nanotechnologies and nano-sciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices
  • Aeronautics and space
  • Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health
  • Food quality and safety
  • Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems
  • Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society
The funding of research and development by the European Union has been implemented through four year 'Framework Programmes' since 1984 that are proposed and implemented by the European Commission, but must be approved and adopted by the Council and the European Parliament.
Historically, EU research funding draws its mandate from the Treaty establishing the European Union, which provides for measures that support the scientific and technological bases of industry and encourage its international competitiveness, and also for measures such as research activities in support of other EU policies. This support for research has increased in the area of life sciences and biotechnology, as is vital to maintain the economic dynamism of Europe.
The current, Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006), was conceived and approved in the light of the Lisbon Summit of March 2000, when European heads of state and governments set the ambitious objective of Europe becoming the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world.
In this context, Commissioner Philippe Busquin emphasised the strategic importance of creating a European Research Area (ERA) with a co-ordinated research policy and better integration of research capabilities.
Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health has been chosen as one of seven thematic priorities in the FP6
It is hoped that the FP6 programme will act as a catalyst to help achieve these objectives. It does not fund activities that can be better conducted at a national or regional level, but focuses on topics of European or global significance, and supports projects involving co-operation between partners from different European countries.
Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health has been chosen as one of seven thematic priorities in the FP6 programme for 'Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area'.