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The
Directorate General’s mission is evolving as work on the European
Research Area (ERA) continues. It can be summarised as follows:
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to develop the European Union’s
policy in the field of research and technological development
and thereby contribute to the international competitiveness
of European industry;
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to coordinate European research
activities with those carried out at the level of the Member
States;
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to support the Union’s policies
in other fields such as environment, health, energy, regional
development etc;
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to promote a better understanding
of the role of science in modern societies and stimulate a public
debate about research-related issues at European level.
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The Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7)
is the European Union’s main instrument for funding research in Europe. FP7, which applies
to the years 2007-2013, is the natural successor to the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6),
and is the result of years of consultation with the scientific community, research and policy
making institutions, and other interested parties.
Since their launch in 1984, the Framework Programmes have played a lead role in multidisciplinary
research and cooperative activities in Europe and beyond. FP7 continues that task,
and is both larger and more comprehensive than earlier Framework Programmes.
Running from 2007 to 2013, the programme has a budget of 53.2 billion euros over
its seven-year lifespan, the largest funding allocation yet for such programmes.
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