FP7 Science in Society

Call for Proposals Science in Society in the framework of FP7 Capacities

In the framework of the European Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the Call for Proposals FP7 Science in Society 2011-1 was published by the Community Research and Development Information Service of the European Commission.

The aim of the Call for Proposals FP7 Capacities - Science in Society is to "stimulate, with a view to building an open, effective and democratic European knowledge-based society, the harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour, and associated research policies in the European social web, by encouraging pan-European reflection and debate on science and technology and their relationship with the whole spectrum of society and culture".

The specific objective of FP7 Capacities Science in Society is to create mechanisms for effectively tackling the scientific and technology related challenges faced by society by proactively bringing together different actors with complementary knowledge and experiences.

The activities that can be funded within the Call for Proposals FP7 Capacities - Science in Society are organized in three main Action Lines:

ACTION LINE 1: A more dynamic governance of the science and society relationship
Indicative Budget: EUR 16.40 m

ACTIVITY 1) Better understanding of the place of science and technology (S & T) in
society (Indicative budget: EUR 5.50 million)

Area 1) Relationships between science, democracy and law

Topic 1) Involvement of civil society organisations in research
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 1 500 000
It is envisaged that 1 proposal will be financed
Topic 2) Regulating emerging scientific and technological developments
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 1 500 000
It is envisaged that 1 proposal will be financed
Topic 3) Integrated assessment methods for measuring societal impacts of emerging scientific
and technological developments
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 1 500 000
It is envisaged that 1 proposal will be financed
Topic 4) A Forward Look at new ways of doing and organising research in our knowledge
Societies
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 1 000 000
It is envisaged that 1 proposal will be financed

ACTIVITY 2) Strengthening and improving the European Science system
(Indicative budget: EUR 5.00 million)

Area 1) Encouraging the debate on information dissemination, including access to scientific results
and the future of scientific publications, taking also into account measures to improve access by the public.

Topic 1) Reinforcing European strategies on access, dissemination and preservation of scientific information in the digital age
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 750 000
It is envisaged that 2 proposals will be financed
Area 2) The reciprocal influence of science and culture
Topic 1) Clusters of cities of scientific culture for innovation
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 2 000 000
It is envisaged that 2 proposals will be financed

ACTION LINE 2: Strengthening potential, broadening horizons

ACTIVITY 1) Gender and Research (indicative budget: EUR 6.00 million)
Area 1) Strengthening the role of women in scientific research and scientific decision-making bodies
Topic 1) Implementing structural change in research organisations/universities
It is envisaged that 2 proposals will be financed

ACTIVITY 2) Young people and science (indicative budget: EUR 8.00 million)
Area 1) Supporting formal and informal science education in schools as well as through science centres and museums and other relevant means
Topic 1) Supporting and coordinating actions on innovative methods in science education: teacher training on inquiry based teaching methods on a large scale in Europe
Each proposal must have a minimum requested EU contribution of EUR 2 000 000
It is envisaged that 3 proposals will be financed

Area 2) Research and coordination actions on new methods in science education
Topic 1) Science and mathematics-related activities carried out in pre-school and in the first years of primary school: their link to the development of creative skills.
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 1 500 000
It is envisaged that 1 proposal will be financed

ACTION LINE 3: Science and Society Communicate (indicative budget 1.50
million)
Area 1) Research aimed at enhancing intercommunication concerning science, both in its methods
and its products, to raise mutual understanding between the scientific world, and the wider audience of
policy-makers, the media and the general public.
Topic 1) European events to bring together young researchers with distinguished scientists as role models.
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 300 000
It is envisaged that 1 proposal will be financed

Topic 2) Science-Society interaction in the digital technologies era
The maximum requested EU contribution shall not exceed EUR 1 500 000
It is envisaged that 1 proposal will be financed

In order to be eligible applicants for the award of a cooperation grant of Science in Society in the framework of the FP7 Capacities programme, the project partners should include research organisations and civil society organisations (CSOs) as well as other types of actors from different perspectives as relevant for the selected Specific Challenge such as:

- Cities and local / regional or national authorities
- National or regional parliamentary advisory offices for science and technology
- Research funding agencies
- Private organisations conducting research
- Education establishments
- Science academies
- Museums, science centres and science festivals
- Media organisations,
- Professional organisations
- Businesses.

The indicative budget for the co-financing of Science in Society projects under this call amounts to 43 million euro.

The deadline for submitting proposals under this call for proposals Science in Society in the framework of FP7 Capacities programme is 20 January 2011

Further information on the call for proposals Science in Society published in the framework of the FP7 Capacities programme can be found on the Cordis FP7 Capacities web site.