Since 1984, EU research and innovation activities have been grouped into one programme called the Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development and Demonstration (FP). Research Framework Programmes are the EU's main financial and legal instrument to implement the European Research Area (ERA). The current programme, FP7, runs from 2007 to 2013. It is due for a mid-term review on late 2010 and will be tweaked to address perceived weaknesses, notably the lower-than-intended participation of smaller businesses (SMEs). More fundamental changes will be built into the next programme, FP8 (2014 – 2020): the Commission's inital proposal for FP8 should be published in early 2011.

2020 Strategy

Even though FP8 will not start until 2014, there is already considerable debate and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring underway in Brussels. A number of changes are foreseen in the upcoming programme that must be understood in the context of the changing priorities and emerging challenges in the EU. When previous framework programmes were crafted, innovation did not have the "all roads" position it does today. FP8 will be negotiated in the context of a new 'EU 2020' strategy, the publication of an innovation action plan and at a time when Europe's first innovation commissioner is chairing a sub-group of EU executives to maintain the focus on the knowledge economy. All available funds will be tapped to deliver the growth and jobs Europe so desperately craves.
Synergies with Structural Funds
It is to be decided in the upcoming discussions how the money for FP8 will be spent. However, it is more and more clear that a more holistic approach is going to be taken to the funding system in the EU when research is concerned. Discussions and proposals are underway for using the 86 billion euro from the Structural Funds for research and innovation projects. These proposals are confirmed by the commitments of European Parliament through Lambert van Nistelrooij ‘Working Document on the implementation of the synergies of research and innovation earmarked Funds in Regulation 1080/2006 concerning the European Fund of Regional Development and FP7 for Research and Development in the cities and regions as well as in the Member States and the Union’  currently discussed at the Regional Development committees meetings; the European Commission through Communication to European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions ‘Reviewing Community innovation policy in changing world’ , currently discussed at the Industry, Research and Energy Committee;  as well as commissioner-designate for Innovation and Research, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s statements on her priorities for the next Commission. However, the method of its distribution is still unclear.

Simplification

The work is being done by the European Commission in order to simplify the Framework Programme. The open consultation closed in September last year and the Commission is about to publish the communication of its results in March 2010. By June 2010, Member States impact indicators for FP8 are expected to be published. In light of the evaluation of the current Framework Program (FP7) throughout 2010, the proposal for FP8 is expected to be issued by the end of 2011.