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.