Seventh Framework Programme Baltic region information day and workshop has been held in Riga Technical University (RTU) at 13th September. The aim of the event is to rise the awareness and to provide information to researchers and institutions about funding opportunities provided by European Commission 7th Framework Programme (2007–2013) Transport theme. Researchers working in transport, energy and material science fields, as well as other interested in European level research projects, ha been invited.
Venue of RTU small aula has been elected for the workshop and networking. RTU rector Leonids Ribickis and head of Latvia NCP system Arnolds Ūbelis and has been addressing welcome speech. The speech on the published work programme 2012 has been given by Tiit Jürimä – head of European Commission department of research and innovation in Aeronautics transport area, informing about new EC research program in transport and JTI «Clean SKY».
Moreover the vision of the future Framework Programme «Horizon 2020» (year 2013–2020) has been introduced for the first time in Latvia and the Baltic region. In addition, round table meeting with ASD – Aerospace & Defence Association of Europe was held, where research institutions, SME had an opportunity to presenting themselves to most prominent European industrial association in Aeronautics.
The full spectrum of the transport research projects has been presented inviting speakers from Baltic region, as well as experts from Germany and UK as well as representatives from European Commission. A total of 50 participants has been participated in first Baltic region workshop and infoday dedicated to the Transport research.
Agenda and presentations of the workshop is available in RTU webpage.
EC 7th Framework Programme (7-FP) is EC science funding tool for year 2007–2013. Competitions for research and developing of technologies have been announced in July 20th. 55 competitions with overall budget of seven billions euro are included in project. At this moment this is largest EC competition for research projects, and also possibility for Latvia and RTU researchers to take part. More detailed information abut FP-7 financial tools are available: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html.
Event has been supported by FP-7 projects TransNEW and ETNA.
Additional information:
Kaspars Kalniņš,
FP-7 NCP,
RTU, Institute of Materials and Structures, leading researcher
E-mail:
Tiit JURIMAE 
