Name of the programme and of the thematic/horizontal area:
FP7 Information and Communication Technologies

Information on funding

Programme:
FP7 Cooperation

Specification/themes:
ICT - Future and Emerging Technologies - Open scheme

Call identifier:
FP7-ICT-2009-C

Budget for the call:
€ 30 000 000

Deadline:
31/12/2010 17:00

Short introduction to the programme / what is it about? How may WBC participate? (approx. 500 characters):

FP7 and ICT Thematic Priority

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) bundles all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment.  It acts as a key pillar for the  European Research Area (ERA).  The broad objectives of FP7 have been grouped into four programmes: Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities.   The specific programme on 'Cooperation' supports all types of research activities carried out by different research bodies in trans-national cooperation and aims to gain or consolidate leadership in key scientific and technology areas.  Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is one of the 10 key thematic priorities under FP7 Cooperation Programme.  Main objective of ICT area is to improve the competitiveness of European industry – as well as to enable Europe to master and shape the future developments of these technologies so that the demands of its society and economy are met. 

ICT FET Open Scheme

FET-Open targets foundational breakthroughs that open the way towards radically new forms and uses of information and information technologies. It flexibly accommodates the fragile or high-risk nature, may not be supported elsewhere in the ICT Workprogramme. Research under FET-Open is aimed at achieving a first proof-of-concept and at developing its supporting scientific foundation. The novelty of this research comes from new ideas rather than from the refinement of current ICT approaches. In addition, FET-Open targets support and coordination activities for high-risk and highimpact visionary research. These activities can be either thematically oriented (for example, stimulating the emergence of a new research community), or they may focus on horizontal issues in FET-type of research (for example, catalysing new visions and ideas, promoting new research modalities, attitudes and practices; or exploring new ways for achieving visibility and impact of the research). They aim at a broad and open participation from within Europe and, where relevant, beyond. 

WBC Participation

It is indicated in Work Programme 2009 of ICT that "In addition to international cooperation activities addressed in the relevant objectives within the 7 Challenges and FET, horizontal international cooperation actions will be supported. By providing support to information society policy dialogues, this will contribute to increasing the participation of third country organisations in the Programme and will facilitate the widest diffusion and local exploitation of ICT research results."; therefore the participation of third countries which are not associated to FP7 are encouraged where there are mutual benefits in the proposed R&D projects. 

More details on the call: Major information on administrative issues (e.g. type of entities which are eligible, consortium structure, budget for the call, etc. (a. 1000 characters):

ICT-2009.8.0 FET-Open: Challenging current thinking

• For STREP projects: contribution to the scientific foundations of future information and communication technologies that may be radically different from present day ICT. It may, for example, open new avenues for science and technology, or lead to a paradigm shift in the way technologies are conceived or applied. FET-Open research is not required to have direct short-term technological or societal impact but it will take concrete steps towards achieving its long-term vision, supported by a critical exploration of the potential implications for the environment and for society.

• For CSA actions: contribution to catalyse a lasting and transformative effect on the communities and practices for high-risk and high-impact research. These activities will lead to new and more dynamic, engaged and risk-taking research communities that can develop the new and non-conventional approaches that will be key to address the technological, societal and environmental challenges that Europe and the world are facing.

• All FET-Open activities should contribute to securing and strengthening the future potential for high-risk / high-impact visionary research. To achieve this, FET-Open is expected to generate new collaborations involving a broad range of disciplines, the established scientists as well as the talented young ones, and a diversity of actors in research, including small and independent research organisations and high-tech SMEs, whenever relevant in terms of the activities proposed. International collaboration should exploit synergies in the global science and technology scene, to increase impact and to raise the level of excellence world-wide.

Call info & Cut-off dates

Continuously receivable from 1 January 2009 until 31 December 2010.FET-Open applies a two-step submission scheme and FET-Open specific eligibility and evaluation criteria. 

Eligibility

There must be at least three ‘legal entities’ established in different EU Member States or Associated countries. The entities must be independent of each other.  Any legal entity established in an FP7 International Cooperation Partner Country (ICPC) may join the consortium and receive funding, once this eligibility criteria has been met.  Albania, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Crotia, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are associated countries to FP7.  Kosova is ICPC in FP7.

Further information on the programme (e.g. links to programme website, Rules for Participation, Financial Guidelines, etc.):

Detailed information on the call may be found from the following links:

Official Call Website :

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.CooperationDetailsCallPage&call_id=189

FP7 ICT Web Site:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/

FP7 Eligibility :

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/who_en.html#countries

Contact/additional support (e.g. Helpdesk, contact to NCPs in your country, partnering websites if available, further related links, etc.):

ICT National Contact Points List:

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/ict/ncps_en.html

Partnering Facility: http://www.ideal-ist.net/