EU to invest €6.4bn in 'research and innovation'

ICT calls for research proposals to offer €1.2bn

The EU is investing heavily in research

The EU has said it will plough €6.4bn (£5.4bn) of funding into "research and innovation" today.

The package, described by the EU as the biggest ever, is part of its Seventh Framework Programme, the largest research programme in the world.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, commissioner for research, innovation and science, said that investment in research and innovation is the only smart and lasting way out of the financial crisis and towards sustainable and socially equitable growth.

"We are offering researchers and innovators €6.4bn to fund cutting-edge projects looking at big economic and societal challenges such as climate change, energy and food security, health and an ageing population," said Geoghegan-Quinn.

Most of the calls for proposals will be announced tomorrow, according to the Community Research and Development Information Service web site.

ICT research will get a boost of €1.2bn, which will help to deliver the Commission's commitment outlined in the Digital Agenda for Europe to maintain the pace of yearly increases in ICT funding.

About €600m of the ICT cash is earmarked for next-generation network and service infrastructures, robotic systems, electronic and photonic components and digital content technologies.

An additional €400m will support research into how ICTs can address challenges such as a lower-carbon economy, an ageing society, and adaptable and sustainable factories.

The Future Internet Public-Private Partnership, an initiative that will examine societal and economic developments with the internet and mobile technologies, is also likely to receive €90m aimed at making key European infrastructures " smart."

However, priority will be given to small and medium-sized enterprises, which represent 99 per cent of all European businesses. They will get almost €800m in funding.

There will also be ring-fenced funds for certain key technology areas such as health, knowledge-based bioeconomy, environment and nanotechnologies.