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 Presidency's R&D priorities, Germany is set to highlight the importance of intellectual property rights, and will launch a charter at public-research and higher- education institutions.
Other presidency priorities include the developing of the European Research Area (ERA) and debating the long-term development of the EU research budget. In addition, it will start the European Research Council (ERC) and to promote large-scale Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) between member states.
The first FP7 calls for proposals were published on 22 December 2006, only days after the FP7 was adopted by the Council on 18 December. The proposal demands cover all four of the FP7's specific programmes: Co-operation, Ideas, People and Capacities. Following evaluations and contract negotiations, the first FP7 projects could be launched at the end of 2007 or early in 2008.
