'Zevende kaderprogramma onderzoek en technologische ontwikkeling (KP7) moet aantrekkelijker worden' (en)

PRESS RELEASE

R&D into higher gears

The Seventh Framework Programme i , the EU’s greatest R&D programme of outstanding global importance should be made more attractive and provide easy access to European researcher communities, businesses as well as to applicants from the Member States underrepresented in FP7. This could be a good one-sentence summary of results of the Conference “Half time – Highway – Interim Evaluation of FP7 from different perspectives” held under the auspices of Hungary’s EU Presidency i . The event, at the same time, is considered as a significant stage of the consultation process announced for the next framework programme to be prepared.

In the two-day Conference in Budapest, organized by the Ministry for National Economy and the National Innovation Office, high-ranking officials of EU Members States, Associated Countries and of the European Commission, leading experts of R&D&I, relevant stakeholders from industry as well as renowned researchers participated. Speakers included Prof. Zoltán Cséfalvay, Minister of State for National Economy responsible for Parliamentary representation and economic strategy, President of the Competitiveness Council i during the Hungarian EU Presidency, Wolfgang Burtscher, Deputy Director General, DG Research and Innovation i, European Commission, Prof. Rolf Annerberg, Chair of the expert panel on the interim evaluation of FP7, Prof. Iain Begg, Rapporteur of the expert panel on the interim evaluation of FP7 and Prof. Norbert Kroó, Vice-President, Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The two-day Conference’s goal was, by discussing the interim evaluation of FP7 from different perspectives, to draw up recommendations for further implementation of the framework programme as well as for the “Common Strategic Framework”, starting in 2014, to be prepared as to continue the framework programme underway. The results of the Conference and recommendations drawn up are to support successful discussions of 2011 March Competitiveness Council.

There were three highlighted issues in the Conference. In particular, discussed were the problems of new Member States’ (EU12) involvement in the framework programme; strengthening participation in the framework programme of industrial players, especially of SMEs; and efficient implementation of the FP7 focussing on simplification of the administrative procedures.

High-level participants of EU-12 panel discussions agreed that the new Member States are underrepresented in the framework programme, both in terms of population size and GDP weight. The same applies to the number of successful applicants and the amount of EC funding received. Therefore,

efforts should be made to change the situation. Participants were on the view that strengthening national strategies is indispensable for better results to be achieved with special regard to the participation in large-scale projects of international cooperation as well as for better use of synergies between the framework programmes and Structural Funds. It was emphasized that the next framework should follow the Europe 2020 Strategy i and meet great social challenges in terms of relevant issues, based on excellence while taking account of differences between Member States. The participants of industrial round-table discussions – experts of small and big companies, representatives from European Technology Platforms and officials of the European Commission – welcomed the efforts of strengthening industrial involvement as well as enhanced support for innovation and market-oriented approach, in addition to sealing research policy.

The participants of the Conference underlined that significant results have already been achieved during the Seventh Framework Programme. In particular, the number of ex-ante evaluations or financial documents to be submitted was reduced. However, further steps are necessary, such as more flexible financial and administrative rules, transparent IT tools and support to be established, etc., for the programme to be more attractive and for application procedures to be facilitated for potential applicants.

Budapest, 25. February, 2011.

Ministry for National Economy