Up until 2007, there were two main ways for non-EU countries to participate in framework research projects. Candidate countries and European Economic Area countries such as Norway made a contribution to the programme, calculated according to their gross domestic product, so that their scientists could compete for funding on the same footing as those from the EU. Other countries, for instance South Africa and Switzerland, could sign a science and technology agreement with the EU, that would allow them to apply for ring-fenced EU funding in specific research areas, such as the environment.

From 2007 onwards, these ring-fenced budgets have been dropped and participation has opened up. Now, 139 low- to middle-income countries can compete for all funding from the seventh framework programme for research (FP7) on equal terms with member states. While the scope for participation has increased, there is now no concession on research excellence.

“There’s a lot of money available if they make the grade,” said an official in the European Commission’s research department.

The advantage for the EU is that policy objectives such as combating climate change and developing energy security require international responses. “These objectives do not stop at EU borders,” the official says. “The EU was aware that it had to further increase and improve international research co-operation to more effectively address these areas.”

Participants appreciate the change. “There are brilliant brains outside of the EU as well,” says Rami Nissila, science and research counsellor for the Academy of Finland. “We benefit from their new ideas.”

Emphasis on excellence

South Africa has had a science and technology agreement with the EU since 1997, so the chance to participate in framework projects is not new. But the emphasis on research excellence is attractive.

Daan du Toit, minister counsellor on science and technology at the South African mission to the EU, says that if researchers have the chance to participate in framework projects, at the cutting edge of development, while still being able to stay affiliated to their own institutions in South Africa, then they are more likely to stay. “Otherwise we run the risk of losing people looking to further their careers.”

Similarly, research collaboration brings direct foreign investment into the country and helps shape other areas of political discourse. “Science collaboration helps build relations between people, build networks and develop common understanding for each others’ positions,” du Toit says. “It has been instrumental in the overall political and economic relationship between South Africa and the EU.”

A competitive arena

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Norway continues to contribute to FP7. It does not get research grants back equivalent to its contribution, but Gudrun Langthaler, head of the Norwegian research liaison office in Brussels, sees other benefits.

“The access to knowledge and visibility of research lead to increased international and bilateral networking and collaboration,” she says. “In terms of population, Norway is a small country and it’s essential that we participate [in FP7]. It’s a competitive arena and we need it to keep the quality of our research high.”

Even for a country as wealthy as Switzerland, there are economic benefits. “For every participation, two jobs can be created, even if they are positions limited to a project,” says Maryline Maillard, head of the Swiss research liaison office in Brussels. “And you can see a positive impact of the research from an economic perspective.”