Research RTD, 7th EC Framework Programme 2007-2013: People specific programme for supporting the training and the career development of researchers
PURPOSE: to adopt the Specific Programme “People” under the 7th Framework Programme.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2006/0973/EC concerning the specific programme “People” implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 – 2013).
CONTENT: the adoption of the Specific Programme “People” stems from Council Decision 1982/2006/EC concerning the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013). See: COD/2005/0043. The new 7th Framework Programme is centred on four research pillars: Co-operation; Ideas; People; and Capacity.
The overall strategic aim of this programme is to create a genuine European research labour market by making Europe more attractive to researchers. Funding stemming from the “People” programme, therefore, will focus on encouraging people to enter research as a profession and to strengthen both quantitatively and qualitatively the human potential in European RT&D, and for women in particular. Not only will the policies of this programme seek to retain talented European researchers in Europe it will attempt to make Europe one of the most attractive destinations for overseas researchers, by consolidating its training capacity and offering financial incentives. The Programme has been awarded a EUR 4 750 million budget to help realise these objectives.
The route to implement these ambitions will be the Marie Curie Actions, which will take account of the “European added value” in terms of their structuring and effect on the European Research Area. The Marie Curie Actions will be open to all domains of research and the research field will be chosen freely by the applicants. A further feature of the People programme is gender mainstreaming and gender benchmarking – a target of 40% female participation has been set.
The Marie Curie Actions have been sub-divided into five headings:
Initial training: Under this heading, focus is given to the first four years of a researchers’ career, plus one additional year if deemed necessary for the completion of the initial training. In cases where all of the requirements have been met, the Community will offer support by recruiting early-stage researchers, setting up academic chairs, organising short training events such as summer schools and organising specialised training courses.
Life-long training and career development: The focus of this heading, on the other hand, will be to target experienced researchers who are seeking to enhance their career prospects. Outstanding researchers will be offered a leading and independent position either as a principal investigator, professor or else a senior position in the private sector.
Industry/academia partnership: The industry/academia partnership route, will seek to foster synergies between public research organisations, on the one hand, and private commercial enterprises on the other. Particular attention will be given to the integration of SME’s. Community support will focus on staff secondments, temporary hosting of experienced researchers, the organisation of workshops and conferences and, where necessary, offering SME’s equipment needed for their participation in the scheme.
International Dimension: Action will focus on the career development of researchers from Member States and associated countries by supporting outgoing international fellowships, with a mandatory return policy, return and international re-integration grants for experienced researchers, offering fellowships to international researchers and seeking partnerships between European research organisations and one or more organisation in countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy or with which the EU has a Science and Technology Agreement.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 2 January 2007.