Opportunities - 7FP - the 'Call 2010' of 30 July 2009

On 30 Juli 2009, the European Commission launched a series of calls for project proposals within the 7th Framework Programme. This call is furthermore characterised by the fact that some calls are launched under three Public Private Partnerships (PPP): the Energy Efficient Buildings, Factories of the Future and Green Cars'.

Funding rates (see page 33 in the FP7 Participation Rules document )

For research and technological development activities, the Community financial contribution may reach a maximum of 50% of the total eligible costs. However, in the case of public bodies, secondary and higher education establishments, research organisations and SMEs, it may reach a maximum of 75% of the total eligible costs. For demonstration activities, the Community financial contribution may reach a maximum of 50% of the total eligible costs.

Manufuture Belgium wishes to draw the attention to the following calls:

Public-Private Partnership "Factories of the Future" - Cross thematic cooperation between NMP and ICT (FP7-2010-NMP-ICT-FoF)
The deadline for this call is 3 November 2009 (one-stage procedure).
- NMP - Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production
  (see details in the NMP work programme 2010 )
  - FoF.NMP.2010-1 : Plug and Produce components for adaptive control
  - FoF.NMP.2010-2 : Supply chain approaches for small series industrial production
  - FoF.NMP.2010-3 : Intelligent, scalable, manufacturing platforms and equipment for components with micro- and nano-scale functional features Collaborative projects
- ICT - Information and Communication Technologies
  (see details in the ICT work programme 2010 )
  - FoF.ICT.2010.10-1 : Smart Factories: ICT for agile and environmentally friendly manufacturing
    Collaborative projects (IP, STREP).
    Targeted outcomes:
    - a) Integrated process automation and optimisation for sustainable manufacturing: Highly integrated shopfloor-based platforms and systems, in seamless cooperation with enterprise software, capable of achieving operational targets, such as yield and quality increase, while ensuring energy efficiency and reduction of waste. R&D is expected to be accompanied by training measures.
    - b) Applications based on context- and user-aware ICT and scalable networks of sensors, exhibiting features such as energy autonomy, wireless connectivity, self-configuration, diagnosis and repair integrated in machines and factory-level infrastructure, supporting real-time monitoring of energy use and material flow. Work should aim at promoting standards-based approaches in conjunction with international initiatives involving industry groups and standardisation bodies35.
    - c) Robotics-enabled production processes tested and validated in real-world environments. Projects are expected to involve system integrators and manufacturers and to test and validate robotic prototypes, paving the way for large-scale operations in smart factory environments. The projects should target domains which have until now not made much use of robotics technology such as in food processing and packaging, service supply (logistics, transport and warehousing), lightweight goods industries and SMEs.
    - d) Laser applications: To integrate, test and validate novel lasers and laser systems (including for example high-power sources, new wavelengths, frequency conversion and remote processing) in energy-efficient processes, and/or for the production of environmentally friendly products.

Witin the 'classical' NMP programme:
(see details in the NMP work programme 2010 )
- NMP.2010.3.1-1 : New industrial models for a sustainable and efficient production
- NMP.2010.3.4-1 : Manufacturing systems for 3D-shaped, multilayered products based on flexible materials
- NMP.2010.4.0-4 : A new generation of multi-functional fibre-based products produced by new and flexible manufacturing concepts
Deadline for this call: first stage, 8 December 2009 at 17.00.00 (Brussels local time), indicative second stage deadline is 18 May 2010.
Witin the 'classical' ICT programme:
(see details in the ICT work programme 2010 )
- ICT-2009.3.5 : Engineering of Networked Monitoring and Control systems
Deadline for this call: 26 October 2009 (one-stage procedure).
Another call witin the 'classical' ICT programme will be published in November:
(see details in the ICT work programme 2010 )
- ICT 2009.2.1 : Cognitive Systems and Robotics
Deadline for this call: 13 April 2010 (one stage procedure).

All calls and details regarding research content, funding etc... can be found on the EC FP7 calls website

In the context of the Public Private Partnerships, the EC organised an info session and brokerage event on 13 July.

Presentations from interested parties with respect to the different PPP calls can be downloaded on the PPP event website.

The presentations that refer more particularly to the Factories of the Future calls can be downloaded directly through the following links: