Introducing FRENZ

FRENZ (Facilitating Research co-operation between Europe and New Zealand) is a joint initiative between the New Zealand Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) and the European Commission (EC) to enhance the engagement of the New Zealand research, science and technology community with the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7).

This morning I met Carole Glynn, its Director to discuss FP7 from a New Zealand perspective. It was a great meeting since Carole really understands this space. FRENZ offers a range of support services to NZ organisations wishing to participate in FP7 activities. We will be talking again.

It's CORDIS, stupid

Engaging with Europe

I've blogged about CORDIS before. And I will again.... and again..... and again. OK. So you get the picture.

It's all about the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme. It is something that people concerned about the state of R&D in New Zealand should learn about. Like now.

I am spending tomorrow in Hamilton at the Waikato Innovation Park. My meeting includes lunch. As well as soup, I expect FP7 to be on the menu.

Geographically, Hamilton may be a long way from Europe. In NZ's desire to be at the forefront of global research and innovation however, distance means nothing. Engagement and collaboration with Europe does.

Improving CORDIS

I received an email overnight from CORDIS, the official information service of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Commission.

I have been a registered user of CORDIS for some time now. The email advised that I had been selected as a relevant contact to help improve the CORDIS service. I am happy to do this.

I would encourage all NZ based research-focused companies, universities and organisations to register. CORDIS provides an excellent overview of the Seventh Framework Program which in turn provides great opportunities for both funding and European collaboration. It is time that NZ engaged.

FP7 Anyone?

My UK-based Pingar partner, John Beer is once again in Brussels, contracted to the European Commission as a Technology Expert, Rapporteur and Assessor for requests for funding of R&D and commercialisation projects in the European ICT sector. We spoke this morning via Skype.

I have blogged BEFORE about FP7 funding. Following the Skype call, I had a look at the Cordis funding portal to check out NZ engagement. Under 'Partners', I found 5 references to New Zealand; Under News, I found 39; Under Events, 3, Under Programmes, 0.

Digging deeper, it became clear that New Zealand was referenced in many cases only as a cluster of other country names. The key measure laid in participation in actual funded Programmes. Here, the cupboard appears to be bare.

NZ economists often comment on New Zealand's supposed disengagement from the global economy in terms of OECD reports. Perhaps they, and business leaders, should check out the Cordis Funding portal to find out how this process could be reversed.

Understanding FP7

John, my Pingar partner based in the UK, is contracted to the European Commission as Technology Expert, Rapporteur and Assessor for requests for funding of R&D and commercialisation projects in the European ICT sector.

John’s work includes working with the Sixth & Seventh Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (FP7 & FP7). FP7 is the European Union’s chief instrument for funding research over the period 2007 to 2013.

This week, he is on duty in Brussels carrying out this task.

I have been trying to work out where New Zealand and New Zealand business fits into all this. To help, I have been accessing the main FP7 portal. I have found a list of International Co-operation Partner Countries. It makes interesting reading.

There is another interesting list of ‘other’ countries missing. They are Associated Countries – countries with science and technology cooperation agreements that involved contributing to the framework programme budget. Is New Zealand one of these? I don’t know. It is important that I should.

I am presently working my way through a number of ‘Guides’ provided by the European Commission to help me understand how FP7 works. They can be accessed here. They are reasonably technical, but they are covering off some of the questions I have about how to co-operate with others in this Programme. Its scope is wide, its budget is massive. And at € 54 billion over the next seven years, I mean massive. It’s important for research and development here that New Zealand is involved. You can view the FP7 launch Press Release here to start understanding what it is all about.