The Sixth Framework Program for Research of the EU (2002-2006). Opportunities for biomedical research

The Framework Program for Research and Technological Development constitutes the main instrument the European Union has had for financing research since 1984. The current Sixth Framework Program (6FP), that covers the period 2002-2006, includes clinical research among the activities subsidized at the European level. Other research activities in the field of medicine, particularly genomics and research activities connecting basic knowledge generation with its applications in the field of health also receive a special emphasis. Examples of topics open to project presentation during the framework program are: research on cancer, both at the basic and applied and clinical levels, new diagnostic techniques, new drugs, and the fight against antibiotic resistances. Among the various types of projects that have room within the 6FP, the networks of excellence (NoE) and integrated projects (IP) stand out for their importance and their effect giving structure to the European research. Both try to reunite a critical mass of researchers and resources, to generate knowledge in the case of the IPs, and to interconnect experts to strengthen and extend the excellence in a specific research topic in the case of the NoE. Both these and the more modest traditional instruments require participation of groups from different countries in a consortium, mainly from the European Community countries. The process of evaluation is carried out looking at relevance criteria, scientific excellence, potential impact, and quality of the consortium, among others. Spanish researchers, among others, are wellcome to participate in the consortiums, coordinate projects and also to assist as experts in the evaluations.