ERA-NETS - European Research Area Networks

ERA-NET - European Research Area networks

Coordination of National Programs in the European Research Area

Created during the 6th Framework Programme (2002-2006), ERA-NETs are instruments to promote cooperation between scientific research funding agencies, ministries and/or research institutes (acting as program managers) of the Member States and associated countries of the European Union (EU), as well as third countries. Thus, ERA-NETs seek to boost the consolidation of the European Research Area, contribute to reverse the fragmentation currently existing and promote the strengthening of transnational collaboration between researchers and research institutions and scientific and technological management.

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

THE ERA-NETS PLUS

In order to increase funding for transnational research projects, the 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013) introduced an alternative instrument to the ERA-NETs scheme: ERA-NETs Plus. This facility differs from traditional ERA-NETs by the additional funding of up to 33% by the European Commission of the national funding dedicated to Calls transnational research projects.

FCT PARTICIPATION IN ERA-NETS

FCT participated in 84 ERA-NETs, many of which are ongoing. Most of these networks are thematic in scope and are distributed across all scientific domains divided according to FCT 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 have a geostrategic character 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 about ERA-NETs, see the ERA-LEARN website.

You can check out the funding opportunities on the list of Calls .