Canadian participation in EU projects increasing

By Debbie Lawes

The globalization of science is fueling an increase in the number of Canadian researchers participating in large European-funded projects, according to data released by the European Research Area-Canada Project (ERA-CAN), a joint initiative of the European Commission and seven Canadian research organizations. But with just 225 Canadian researchers currently participating in Europe's €53-billion Framework Programme 7 (FP7), ERA-CAN's director says there is significant room for growth.

"European scientists often aren't even aware that these programs exist so Canadian scientists should be proactive in telling them about these opportunities," says ERA-CAN director Dr. Garth Williams.

FP7, which continues until 2013, primarily funds European researchers, though some of its programs do award grant money to non-Europeans (see article above). Funding is also provided for international fellowships, training networks and in cases where there is no equivalent expertise in Europe.

There are currently 225 Canadian researchers participating in FP7, which is significantly more than the 95 who collaborated in FP6 (2002-06), or the 75 in FP5 (1998-2002) or 37 in FP4 (1994-98). Williams says those numbers could be much higher if more Canadian and European scientists knew that funding is available to support international collaborations, particularly on big global challenges like health and the environment.

"Canadian researchers stand a better chance than many other countries in participating in FP7 projects," he told RE$EARCH MONEY, following a presentation to delegates at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Vancouver last month. "Their success rate is 28%. The norm in the framework program is 21%."

Canadian researchers currently contribute about €25 million (Cdn $32.7 million) in personnel costs or from their existing grants to participate in FP7 projects — an amount that is leveraged 25:1.

"For that investment, you are able to share data, costs and risks, and leverage your Canadian funds into much larger projects with international impact," says Williams. The next framework program, Horizons 2020, could see a doubling of funding available, including more opportunities to contract out research to small- and medium-sized companies.

"It will integrate support for companies that focus on the innovation side with projects that are geared to more university type research," says Williams. "That's something we'd like to see Canadian companies of all sizes taking advantage of."

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