The Framework Programme (FP) is the European Union's main means of funding research and technological development (RTD). FP7 commenced on 1 January 2007 and will run for seven years, superceding FP6.

There are a number of themes relevant to the automotive sector in FP7. The most important is Sustainable Surface Transport. The research scope will consider the surface transport system embracing all its constituents: products (vehicles, vessels and infrastructures), services, operations and users integrating organisation, legal and policy frameworks.

The EU FP7 Transport Work Programme for 2009/10 has now been announced. The deadline for submission is January 2010. The document describing this programme can be downloaded here.

This programme includes the EU Green Car Initiative which has specific focus on:

• Electrical machines
• Integrated electric auxiliaries and on-board systems
• Optimised thermal engine development and integration
• Smart storage integration
• Advanced electric vehicle concepts
• Implementing Public-Private Partnership in the ‘European Green Cars Initiative’
• Raising awareness of potential job opportunities related to the electrification of road transport
• Green Cars - Integrated EU demonstration project on electromobility
• Materials, technologies and processes for sustainable automotive electrochemical storage applications

In addition the programme includes areas such as ‘Alternative fuels in transport’, and points on intermodal shift.

FP7 Transport Information Days will be held on 28/29 September 2009 in Brussels. For more information please click here.

Presentations from previous information days are available by clicking here.

FP7UK is a service provided by UK Government to help prospective applicants access funding under FP7. Its aim is to provide a single, centralised, one-stop-shop for information and advice, covering all aspects of FP7.

The FP7UK team can provide telephone support, send you information, direct you to a large number of web-based information sources and advise you of Calls, events, news and best practice.

If you are interested in receiving regular updates on FP7UK news, initiatives, calls and events, register your details at http://www.fp7uk.org. The FP7UK helpline is at 0870 600 6080 (calls charged at the national rate) and by email at help@fp7uk.co.uk

To download a copy of the FP7UK Automotive Briefing document, please click here.

To find out more about FP7UK, please click here.

For more details of the EU FP7 Cooperation Work Programme for Transport 2010 please click here.

MATERA+

MATERA+ is an ERA-NET+ Action focusing on material science and engineering. ERA-NET+ Actions are an initiative of the European Commission [EC] aimed at providing additional EC financial support to those national and regional programmes that pool resources to organise a joint call for proposals.

There is an allocated and indicative budget of 1.5M euro to support UK industry and associated S&T organisations within MATERA+.

Opening of the Call, 16th March 2009

The Call is open to industry, universities, institutes and research centres. The goal is to launch transnational, interdisciplinary, innovative projects and to narrow the gap between basic materials research and industrial applications in the following areas: Multi-functional Materials, Engineering Structural Materials, Bio-based and Bio-inspired Materials.

Call documents

1. MATERA Call 2009 Flyer
2. Guidelines
3. FAQ
4. ESS Guidelines
5. Pre-proposal form (example not for submission)
6. Pre-proposal evaluation form

MATERA Pre-proposal and Full proposal will be submitted via the on-line submission system (ESS)

Important dates

1. 15th May 2009 Pre-Proposal deadline
2. 15th October 2009 Invitation to submit Full Proposal
3. 15th Jan 2010 Full Proposal deadline
4. March/April 2010 Funding decisions

‘Solutions for Business – funded by government’ is a package of business support to help companies start, grow and succeed.
BERR are streamlining the thousands of public funded support products into a package of 30 products and services with a common look and feel that can be accessed via Business Link.

Products will help businesses with common problems such as starting, growing, innovation, finance, skills and the environment. They will be in place by March 2009.

This guide gives a summary of the ‘Solutions for Business’ products. It outlines the business support available in England, with some schemes available across Great Britain. The programme will not affect business support funded by the Devolved Administrations.

Please click here to download full BERR document

Businesses looking for support can contact Business Link by phone (0845 600 9006), online (www.businesslink.gov.uk) or face-to-face by contacting their local branch.

The RCUK Knowledge Transfer Portal offers a single point of access for those in, e.g., academia, business, public, private and/or third sectors, who want to find out about Research Council knowledge transfer schemes and activities, and how to get involved. You will find links to Research Council funding opportunities, current events, networks, and training courses.

For more information click here