FP7 Health Research Service Unveiled by CORDIS

An 'About Health' page gives comprehensive details of the three pillars of the health research focus. Emphasis on biotechnology and ensuring that research is specifically geared towards the improvement of human health are the first two themes. Maximising the delivery of the fruits of research to the relevant recipients, including healthcare officials, practitioners and patients is the third.

Following the 'Get Support' link is a list of National Contact Points (NCPs), which forms the main basis for obtaining further information. Users will also fine support for research applicants, proposal negotiation, project management and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Funding schemes are outlined, as well as training, from business skills at Bioentrepeneur Boot Camps to courses for scientists in project and innovation management.

A page dedicated to 'International cooperation', an integral part of Health research, explains the strategies involved in the realisation of this prominent theme throughout FP7. Any country can participate, and programme-level cooperation with industrialised countries is encouraged.

Reflecting the increasing prominence of SMEs, FP7 has increased the provision of means of participation. In particular, funding is more generous and constitutes 15% of the overall budget of the Health programme. Intellectual property, always an important factor for commercial enterprises, has been given more protection.

For essential information, a 'Library' page lists all relevant documents on Health Research under FP7 and, for further facts and figures, the 'Useful Links' page outlines all areas relating to Health within FP7. These include current health research in FP7 as well as details of 'Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health', the FP7 theme's forerunner from FP6. Also listed are EU institutions and services, research policies and initiatives.

For further information, please visit:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/health/home_en.html