The National Science Council (NSC) yesterday announced it would expand the scope of the nation’s involvement in the EU’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7).
FP7 is the EU’s main instrument for funding research projects, with a budget of more than 53 billion euros (US$77 billion) over its seven-year lifespan.
In addition to EU member states, the program also accepts applications from other nations, including Taiwan.
Speaking at a ceremony held in Taipei yesterday, NSC Minister Lee Lou-chuang (李羅權) and European Economic and Trade Office director Guy Ledoux said involvement in the world’s largest publicly funded research program was important for both scientific collaboration and international cooperation.
The NSC established its first EU FP7 National Contact Point (NCP) in September 2008 to help assist and coordinate domestic research institutions looking to participate in FP7 projects.
The expansion includes the creation of another eight NCPs that would each be responsible for different fields of research, including the environment and security. NSC officials said the thematic NCPs would help provide more detailed information to researchers and institutions.
EU trade officials said Taiwan’s involvement in the program was indispensable on critical research into global health and climate issues.
“New technology through international cooperation is essential in our [struggle against] global warming and other issues, like the (A)H1N1 [pandemic] ... the NCPs fully showcase our common priorities,” Ledoux said.
The thematic NCPs would help simplify the process researchers must go through to participate in FP7 projects, said Chang Ching-ray (張慶瑞), director-general of information cooperation at the NSC.
“It will help break down barriers to access and aid our researchers, increasing our nation’s international exposure,” he said.
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