European research program thrown open to Aussies

Australian researchers have the opportunity to participate in the Sixth Framework Program for European Research and Technological Development (FP6), but they should think hard about the value they can bring to collaborative projects and be prepared to come with their own funding, according to presenters at a special symposium held by the Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) at the Australian Health and Medical Research Congress (AHMRC) last week.

The session, which included presentations by the representatives of the European Commission and the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST), as well as from the NHMRC and ARC, outlined the opportunities available under FP6, and highlighted some of the funding programs available to Australian researchers.

FP6 is a 17.5 billion euro program that will provide the major funding for science and technology in Europe for the next five years, primarily as funding to multidisciplinary projects with participants from several countries. Under FP6, one of the seven priority areas -- life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health -- will receive 2255 million euros.

While the funding is primarily for European research, and is intended to build a "European Research Area," FP6 also allows researchers from nominated countries including Australia to participate.

"Collaboration with Europe is a high priority for Australia," noted Michael Parker, the executive manager of the Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST).

He said that 25 to 30 per cent of Australian-international collaborations in research and technology development was with European countries.

"Enormous potential exists for collaboration between Europe and Australia," Parker said.

DEST representative Graeme Rankin warned that while FP6 provided the potential for collaboration between Australia and Europe, researchers should think carefully about how to get involved.

"Just because you think it's a good idea, you won't necessarily be invited into a consortium. You need to bring value," he told the audience. "You also need to have your own source of funding before getting into a consortium -- acceptance doesn't guarantee funding."

One opportunity for Australian researchers discussed by Rankin and European Commission representative Lynne Hunter was the Marie Curie Fellowships. A number of fellowships are available, including Incoming International Fellowships offering Australians the opportunity to spend one to two years in Europe, and Outgoing International Fellowships sending European researchers to non-European countries for one to three years.

"The Marie Curie Fellowships offer significant benefits to Australia," Rankin said.

Prof Warwick Anderson, chair of the NHMRC's Research Committee, said that the NHMRC was able to provide some funding support for Australian researchers wanting to participate in FP6. Initially there will be $600,000 available per year, and demand would be monitored, he said.

Anderson reassured the audience that funding support for FP6 participation would not jeopardise eligibility for other NHMRC grants. He also said that applicants would not have to go through Australian peer review in addition to the FP6 application review.

But unlike the NHMRC, the ARC was not planning to have a specific program in support of FP6, according to Prof Sue Rowley. She highlighted other programs for European collaboration and noted that international research linkages were of high priority for the ARC.

For more information about FP6 opportunities, go to the FEAST website.