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 Program (2002-2006), the ERA-NETs are instruments that aim 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. In this way, ERA-NETs seek to boost the consolidation of the European Research Area, contribute to reversing the fragmentation that currently exists and promote the strengthening of transnational collaboration between researchers and scientific and technological research and management institutions.

The objectives of the ERA-NETs are achieved by carrying out tasks such as mapping, disseminating, evaluating and monitoring the activities carried out within the framework of the consortia, as well as implementing joint transnational Calls , among others. It should be noted that, although the coordination of the ERA-NETs is supported by funds from the European Commission, the funding of the research projects is provided by the funding agencies of each participating country.

THE ERA-NETS PLUS

In order to increase funding for transnational research projects, the 7th 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 the European Commission provides additional funding of up to 33% of the national funding dedicated to transnational Calls for research projects.

FCT'S PARTICIPATION IN ERA-NETS

FCT has participated in 84 ERA-NETs, many of which are ongoing. Most of these networks are thematic in scope and are spread across all scientific domains divided according to 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 have a geostrategic character and promote cooperation between EU countries and their associates with a third country or target region of 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, see the ERA-LEARN website.

You can consult the funding opportunities in the list of Calls in progress.