Science communication and the European Union - options for funding!

Dr. Enikő PatkósESO/PAD

epatkos@eso.org

EU and science communication in action…

http://www.athenaweb.org/about-athenaweb/

http://uk.youtube.com/eutube

Two good reason for discussing EU funding options

1. Complexity

2. Countries eligible for funding

Complexity - how to find the relevant EU program?

1. Science communication is a new and emerging field - no obvious policy line for it in the EU system;

2. Bits and pieces in several programs;

Need for some guidance;

EU programs - jungles of rules?• To find info: well-built

info-sites for each program, all info and documentation on the Internet, system of National Contact Points;

• If you decide to submit a proposal: choose an experienced project coordinator;

Countries involved in EU funding options

Changing from program to program:

– Member States (MS)– Associated countries (AC)– International cooperation partners– Industrialized countries

Definitions:http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/who_en.html#countries

www.cordis.lu

Two directions to find science communication funding options in the

EU structure

Research policy

1) 7th R&D Framework Program

Technology policy

2) eContentPlus

3) Media2007

1) 7th Research and Development Program (FP7)

• Main program to support research in the EU; • Budget: 50521 M ; • Time frame: 2007-2013;• Structure: Specific Programs (SP)/themes/action

lines• Science communication (and astronomy) is not an

individual theme, only appears at action line level;

Structure of FP7Cooperation SP Ideas

SPPeople

SP

Capacities SP

Health

Agriculture

ICT

Nanosciences

Energy

Environment

Transport

Socio-economic sciences

Security, Space

ERC Marie Curie

RI

SMEs

Regions of knowledge

Research Potential

Science in Society

INCO

1) FP7 Capacities SPScience in Society/SiS

(330 M )

Aim: encourage greater public engagement;

International Cooperation/INCO

(180 M );

Aim: build strategic partnerships with 3rd

countries

1) Calls in the Science in Society theme (for 2008)

• 5.2.1 Gender and research (IYA relevance)• 5.3.1.1 The provisions of reliable and timely scientific

information for the press and media• 5.3.1.2 Training actions to bridge the gap between the

media and the scientific community• 5.3.1.3 Encouraging a European dimension at science

events targeting the public (IYA relevance)• 5.3.1.4 Promoting science by audio-visual means in

European co-production and the circulation of science programs

1) Calls in the International Cooperation theme

• FP-INCO-2007-3 Activities of International Cooperation - ERA-NET and ERA-NET PLUS

• 11 M • Open for “program owners”

1) FP7 basicsWhat you need:

What you need to read and follow: 1. Call2. Work Program3. Guides

Open CallGood idea

1) More info about FP7

Open Calls

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm

FP7 main website

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html

Two directions to find science communication funding options in the

EU structure

Research policy

1) 7th R&D Framework Program

Technology policy

2) eContentPlus

3) Media2007

2) eContentPlus

Aim: “make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable”• based on proven state-of-the-art technology• geared towards innovation in organization and

deployment:- Joint projects, networks, best practice

Digital content:• Geographical information• Educational information• Digital libraries (educational, scholarly content)

2) eContentPlus

Budget: 149 M Time frame: 2005-2008

Next Call in 2008 (49 M )

Participation rules:- with funding only for MS and EFDA countries- with no funding anyone can join the projects

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/econtentplus/index_en.htm

3) MEDIA2007

• Support for the European audiovisual industry;

• No restrictions for the topic;- Training- Development of production projects (feature film,

television drama, documentation, animation, new media)

- Promotion of European audiovisual products in and outside of Europe

3) MEDIA2007

• Budget: 755 M • Time frame: 2007-2013

• One deadline every year

Web:http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/index_en.htm

Conclusions• Count with the EU-given possibilities and use

them for your advantage;• Catchphrases: FP7, eContentPlus,

MEDIA2007• Get in contact with National Contact Points of

the different programs for guidance;• Use the EU networking tools to find good

coordinators and partners for your projects;• Don’t be discouraged by the lengths of the

documentation…..and use the guides!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

IYA2009 UN SPoC-lobby coordination

PLEASE INFORM US ABOUT THE ACTIONS YOU MADE!

• Claus Madsen (ESO, Head of Public Affairs Department) cmadsen@eso.org

• Enikö Patkós (ESO, EU Affairs Officer) epatkos@eso.org