European Union

    European Union R&D funding is coordinated within a general Framework Programme in which a number of specific programmes address key objectives. FP6 runs from 2002 to 2006, has a total budget of €17 500 million and focuses on the following thematic priorities:

• Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health
• Information Society technologies
• Nanotechnologies and nanosciences, knowledge-based multifunctional materials and new production processes and devices
• Aeronautics and space
• Food quality and safety
• Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems
• Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society

    Based on the Treaty establishing the European Union, the Framework Programme has to serve two main strategic objectives: Strengthening the scientific and technological bases of industry and encouraging its international competitiveness while promoting research activities in support of other EU policies. These two objectives are setting the general scene for choosing priorities and instruments.

    Please find as follows important links to the European Union :

Homepage of the European Commission:

http://ec.europa.eu/

Homepage of the IST programme:

http://cordis.europa.eu/ist/

Homepage of the sixth framework programme:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp6/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP6HomePage