The first call for proposals, Unlocking and developing the Research Potential of research entities established in the EU’s Convergence & Outermost regions has a budget of €30M and the specific aim of encouraging the research community in the convergence and outmost regions to reinforce their S&T potential. It enables the highest quality and the most promising research entities that are active in the FP7, to become more integrated in the European Research Area (ERA).

Financial support is given to successful applicants to help build capacity by investing in equipment, staff, networking and advice.

An Action Plan is funded with coherent measures including:

• Trans-national two-way secondments of research staff;
• Recruitment of incoming experienced researchers;
• Acquisition and development of research equipment;
• Organisation of workshops and conferences for knowledge transfer;
• Dissemination activities;
• Evaluation facilities by international independent experts.

All research themes of FP7 are covered and since the Funding scheme for this activity is "Coordination and Support Actions", the EC financial contribution is up to 100% of the eligible costs. The EC is also encouraging strong synergies with the Community regional policy (Structural and Cohesion funds) and/or the Competitiveness and Innovation programme.

The second call to be published on the October 24, International Cooperation (€8M) offers the unique opportunity for the Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC) to develop partnerships through twinning activities with existing or emerging centres of excellence. These centres must be established in the EU’s convergence and outermost regions and the Member States and/or the Associated Countries.

This cooperation should give rise to the fostering of strengthened scientific relationships, increased networking and the development of human potential in S&T. Exchanging of know-how and experience between the countries concerned, is a priority as is the upgrading of the S&T research capacities in the highest quality and/or promising research entities in the MPC. Improvements should be aimed at adjusting Mediterranean Partner RTD research entities' policies, boosting their scientific and technological research potential, and developing links between their scientific communities and those of Member States.

ResPotNet is a 4 year project that aims to support research institutes and industrial communities in the EU's convergence and outermost regions, to fully utilise their research potential; strengthen their capacities and increase participation in the Framework Programmes. The network offers its 16 partners from: Greece (coordinator), Poland, Romania, Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain, Malta, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Turkey, Israel, Serbia and Croatia, the means to collaborate and establish a system of mutual learning which will result in better services that will be tailored to the needs of researchers.

Source: Karen Fiorini