ERA-NETS – European Research Area Networks

ERA-NET – European Research Area networks

Coordination of National Programs in the European Research Area

Created during the Sixth Framework Program (2002-2006), ERA-NETs are instruments that aim to promote cooperation between scientific research funding agencies, ministries, and/or research institutes (acting as program managers) in Member States and associated countries of the European Union (EU), as well as third countries. In this way, ERA-NETs seek to boost the consolidation of the European Research Area, contribute to reversing the current fragmentation, and promote the strengthening of transnational collaboration between researchers and research and scientific and technological management institutions.

The objectives of ERA-NETs are achieved through the execution of tasks such as mapping, dissemination, evaluation, and monitoring of activities carried out within the consortia, as well as the implementation of joint Calls , among others. It should be noted that, although the coordination of ERA-NETs is supported by European Commission funds, the financing of research projects is provided by funding agencies in each participating country.

ERA-NETS PLUS

With the aim of increasing funding for transnational research projects, the Seventh Framework Program (2007-2013) introduced an alternative instrument to the ERA-NETs scheme: ERA-NETs Plus. This mechanism differs from traditional ERA-NETs in that it provides additional funding of up to 33% from the European Commission for national funding dedicated to Calls for research project funding.

FCT PARTICIPATION IN ERA-NETS

The FCT has participated in 84 ERA-NETs, many of which are still ongoing. Most of these networks are thematic in scope and cover all scientific fields divided according to the FCT's Scientific Councils: Exact and Engineering Sciences, Life and Health Sciences, Natural and Environmental Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities. The only non-thematic ERA-NETs are geostrategic in nature and promote cooperation between EU countries and their associates with a third country or target region in the world. FCT participates in this type of ERA-NET with India, Latin America, and Africa in different scientific areas.

For more information on ERA-NETs, please visit theERA-LEARN website.

You can consult the funding opportunities inthe list of Calls .