The European Commission budgeted a total of €8.1 billion for
investments into research and innovation for 2013, according to its
press release today. The final budget
represents a €1 billion increase over this year's funds.
Knowledge is key
Research institutes may get financing from the FP7 funds if they
focus on key areas. These include "human health, protecting the
environment and finding new solutions to growing challenges linked
to urbanisation and managing waste."
"Knowledge is the currency of the global economy. If Europe
wants to continue to compete in the 21st century, we must support
the research and innovation that will generate growth and jobs, now
and in the future. The high level of competition for EU funding
makes sure that taxpayers' money goes to the best projects that
tackle issues that concern all of us," European Research,
Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
commented.
Which area gets how much
"In total €4.8 billion is dedicated to thematic research
priorities. Industrial innovation will be supported through
close-to-market activities such as piloting, demonstration,
standardisation and technology transfer," the European Commission
stated.
"Special attention will be given to Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises (SMEs) in a package worth up to €1.2 billion. Around
€2.7 billion will help cement Europe's place as a world class
destination for researchers, mainly through individual grants from
the European Research Council (€1.75 billion), and Marie
Sklodowska-Curie Actions (€963 million) for research training and
mobility."
For the full press release, click here. For a dynamic overview of the budget,
click here.