After the EU's 7th research framework programme (FP7) officially entered into force on 1 January 2007, the first national kick-off event to present the new programme is being held in Germany, the current holder of the Council presidency, on 15-16 January 2007.
As to the Prsidency R&D priorities, Germany is set to highlight the importance of intellectual property to protect knowledge. With this regard, it will launch an initiative for a charter on intellectual property rights at public research institutions and institutions of higher education.
Other Presidency priorities include both discussing the necessity of developing the European Research Area (ERA) further and debating the long-term development of the EU research budget. In addition, it will aim to successfully kick-off the European Research Council (ERC) and to promote the large scale Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) between member states.
The first FP7 calls for proposals were published on 22 December 2006, days only after FP7 was adopted by the Council on 18 December. The calls cover all four specific programmes of FP7: Co-operation, Ideas, People and Capacities. The deadline for most calls is beginning of May 2007. After evaluations and contract negotiations, first FP7 projects could be launched end of 2007 or early 2008.
