The Work Programme for 2012 with about €7 billion is the European Commission's biggest ever funding package under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7). It is expected to create around 174 000 jobs in the short-term and nearly 450 000 jobs and nearly €80 billion in GDP growth over 15 years.

Grants will promote research to tackle the biggest societal challenges facing Europe and the world. One of the areas of interest specified is healthy and active ageing. Universities, research organisations and industry will be among more than 16.000 funding recipients. Special attention will be given to SMEs, including a package close to €1 billion. There will also be a new EU Prize for Women Innovators whose work has been funded by FP7 or earlier programmes.

Find out more about:

• Work Programmes 2012
• Information about the Women Innovators Prize
• Selected success stories per country
• Budget of 7th Framework Programme for Research and Work Programmes' comparison
• Country participation in FP7
• FP7 funding per country

Source: EU Commission

For more information on FP7 please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/index_en.cfm?pg=understanding