The European Commission (EC) will invest 16% of the €55 billion ($76.3 billion) research and innovation budget for its Seventh Framework Program (FP7) on the final call for research proposals. Allocations include €4.8 billion for “thematic research,” including €155 million for the Oceans of the Future Program, €147 million to fight antimicrobial resistance, €98 million for water concerns, and up to €1.2 billion to benefit small- and medium-size businesses. Grants from the European Research Council and Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions will total €1.75 billion and €963 million, respectively. A new European Research Area Chairs initiative to expand research in five regions will be created with €12 million. The call constitutes 75% of the EU’s 2013 proposed research budget. So far, FP7 has given €25.3 billion to 19,000 research projects.

Source: EC