EU launches first FP7 satellite navigation call for proposals15 November 2007Published on 15 November 2007, the first of seven planned FP7 calls represents available funding in the amount of €40 million for GNSS-related research and technological development, including work on the GALILEO and EGNOS programmes. The GNSS market has been growing at double-digit rates for the past decade, and this trend is expected to accelerate as new satellite systems with superior performance become operational and as the number of civilian applications continues to increase. Industrial revenues for the worldwide GNSS market will surpass €60 billion by 2011, with all sectors being affected. By 2020, some three billion satellite navigation receivers will be in service. Set against this backdrop, the strategic objectives for the GALILEO programme under FP7 include: • Create economic value for Europe, for the public sector, industry, SMEs, users, etc. • Ensure that EGNOS/GALILEO becomes the premier system for civil applications • Generate wider public and social benefits by supporting the development of applications that will improve the quality or efficiency of public services or become instruments for the implementation of EU policies • Involve international partners in the development of applications and in the evolution of the system, thus fostering international relations and co-operation. Solid foundations FP7 builds on the successful legacy of the Union’s previous Framework Programme, FP6. With €110 million of co-funding, 77 FP6 research initiatives have been carried out or are still ongoing. FP6 research was launched by the former GALILEO Joint Undertaking (GJU) and is currently being coordinated by the GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA). The work involves more than 300 companies, including representatives of the space and aerospace industries, research centres, universities and SMEs. Topic areas include application market development, receiver development, preparation of enablers and GALILEO mission implementation and optimisation. Following an extensive consultation process involving industry, policy makers, technical experts and many other relevant stakeholders, the GSA has now put together an unprecedented package of support, a bigger and better Framework Programme for GNSS research. FP7 promises to provide over 300% more R&D funding than FP6, with more focus on projects that are close to market, i.e. projects that will lead directly to marketable products, ready for exploitation. Other key FP7 elements include: • More focus on innovation • EGNOS as a major priority • Knowledge dissemination through a special facility (GKMF) • Industry-friendly IPR policy in line with FP7 • Capitalising on SME success. Facts and figures The total budget for the first call is €40 million. €25 million of this will be available to launch 25 projects for the following activities: • Applications - development of innovative GNSS based applications, focussing on sectors with highest current priority – 14 projects for a total budget of €9.5 million • Tools - preparing the tools and creating the appropriate environment – 4 projects for a total budget of €5.8 million • Receivers – adapting receivers to requirements and upgrading core technologies – two projects for a total budget of €4 million • Infrastructure – supporting infrastructure evolution – five projects for a total budget of €5.7 million.
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