European Commission published Work Programme "People" 2009 on 22 August 2008.

The WP is to be read in association with the Framework Programme and People Specific Programme decisions,
and with the relevant Guides for Applicants. The most current Guides and other documents are available on
CORDIS under www.cordis.europa.eu/fp7/PEOPLE.

The People Specific Programme of the 7th Framework Programme (2007 to 2013) acknowledges that one of the main competitive edges in science and technology is the quantity and quality of its human resources. To support the further development and consolidation of the European Research Area (ERA), this Specific Programme's overall strategic objective is to make Europe more attractive for researchers. It aims to strengthen, quantitatively and qualitatively, the human potential in research and technology in Europe, by stimulating people to take up the profession of a researcher , encouraging European researchers to stay in Europe, and attracting to Europe the best researchers from the entire world. Built on the experiences of the Marie Curie actions under previous Framework Programmes, it is implemented through a coherent set of actions, particularly taking into account the European added value in terms of their structuring effect on the European Research Area. These actions address researchers at all stages of their careers, in the public and private sectors, from initial research training, specifically intended for researchers at the early stages of their career, to life-long learning and career development, as well as for knowledge transfer between sectors andwith the rest of the world.

The People Specific Programme has an overall budget of over EUR 4.7 billion over the seven years of FP7. The Marie Curie actions will be implemented under five headings, with the following indicative budget breakdown:

1. Initial Training of Researchers around 40 % of the budget share

2. Life-long Training and Career Development (including Co-funding) between 25% and 30%of the budget share

3. Industry-Academia Pathways and Partnerships 5 to 10% of the budget share

4. International Dimension – World Fellowships 25% to 30% of the budget share

5. Specific Policy Actions around 1%