An evaluation of the 7th Framework Programme (FP7), the EU’s research funding programme between 2007 and 2013, was released by the European Commission on 25 January 2016.
The main findings, based on a report by an independent group of high level experts, reveal that the EU funding programme was effective in boosting scientific excellence and strengthening Europe’s industrial innovation and competitiveness, contributing to growth and jobs in Europe. The evaluation also identified room for improvement, namely with regard to administrative procedures and funding flexibility, better integration of different parts of the programme and synergies with other research and innovation funding schemes.
The Commission is already addressing these shortcomings and other recommendations in Horizon 2020.
More information in the European Commission press release and fact sheet