Given program is directed on assistance to development of the international cooperation in scientific and technical sphere. Within the limits of the given program support will be rendered to a number(line) of scientifically research directions focused on transnational cooperation, since joint projects and networks and finishing(stopping) coordination of national research programs. An integral part of the given program is the International cooperation of the countries-members of EU with the third countries.

For the program "Cooperation" it has been certain ten thematic directions:

Health

The objective of health research under FP7 is to improve the health of European citizens and boost the competitiveness of health-related industries and businesses, while addressing global health issues such as anti-microbial resistance, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and emerging pandemics.

Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology

The primary aim in funding food, agriculture, fisheries and biotechnology research under FP7 is to build a European Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) (food, feed, forest, fisheries, agriculture, aquaculture, chemistry, etc.) by bringing together all industries and economic sectors that produce, manage and exploit biological resources and related services, supply or consumer industries, such as food, fisheries, forestry, agriculture, etc.

Information & communication technologies (ICT)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are critical to improve the competitiveness of European industry and to meet the demands of its society and economy.

ICTs have a catalytic impact in three key areas:

• productivity and innovation, by facilitating creativity and management;
• modernisation of public services, such as health, education and transport;
• advances in science and technology, by supporting cooperation and access to information.

Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials & new production technologies (NMP)

The core objective of the Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies (NMP) 4 theme is to improve the competitiveness of European industry and generate the knowledge needed to transform it from a resource-intensive to a knowledge-intensive industry. NMP research also aims to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry by generating 'step changes' in a wide range of sectors and implementing decisive knowledge for new applications between different technologies and disciplines. Funding the NMP research theme will benefit new, high tech industries and higher-value, knowledge-based traditional industries, with a special focus to the appropriate dissemination of research results to SMEs.

Energy

The objective of energy research under FP7 is to adapt the current energy system into a more sustainable, competitive and secure one. It should also depend less on imported fuels and use a diverse mix of energy sources, in particular renewables, energy carriers and non polluting sources.

Environment (including climate change)

The main objective of environment research under FP7 is to advance our knowledge on the interactions between climate, biosphere, ecosystems and human activities and to develop new technologies, tools and services, for the sustainable development of the environment and its resources.

Transport (including aeronautics)

The central objective of transport research under FP7 is to develop safer, 'greener' and 'smarter' pan-European transport systems that will benefit all citizens, respect the environment, and increase the competitiveness of European industries in the global market.

Socio-economic sciences & the humanities (SSH)

Funding 'Socio-economic sciences and the humanities' (SSH) will contribute to an in-depth, shared understanding of the complex and interrelated socio economic challenges Europe is confronted with.

Space

The aim of the Space theme under FP7 is to support a European Space Programme focusing on applications such as 'Global monitoring for environment and security' (GMES) with benefits for citizens and for the competitiveness of the European space industry. This will contribute to the development of a European space policy, complementing efforts by Member States and by other key players, including the European Space Agency (ESA).

Security

• to develop technologies and knowledge needed to ensure the security of citizens from threats such as terrorism and (organised) crime, natural disasters and industrial accidents while respecting fundamental human rights;
• to ensure optimal and concerted use of available and evolving technologies to the benefit of civil European security;
• to stimulate the cooperation of providers and users for civil security solutions; improving the competitiveness of the European security industry and delivering mission-oriented results to reduce security gaps.

The Commission’s revised FP7 proposals provide for EUR 7 510 million for an 'Ideas' programme that aims to enhance dynamism, creativity and excellence in European research at the frontier of knowledge by supporting ’investigator-driven’ research projects across all fields by individual teams competing at a European level. Projects will be funded based on proposals presented by researchers on subjects of their choice, evaluated on scientific excellence by peer review.

ERC

The European Research Council (ERC) is the first pan-European funding body set up to support investigator-driven frontier research. The main aim of the newly-established body is to stimulate scientific excellence by supporting and encouraging the very best, truly creative scientists, engineers and scholars to be adventurous and take risks in their research. The scientists should go beyond established frontiers of knowledge and the boundaries of discipline. The ERC complements other funding activities in Europe such as those of the national research funding agencies, and is a flagship component of the 'Ideas Programme' of the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

Highly trained researchers are needed in order to advance science and underpin innovation, and to attract and sustain public and private investment in research. With growing global competition, the development of an open European labour market for researchers and the diversification of skills and career paths of researchers are crucial, and mobility, both transnational and intersectoral, is a key component of the European Research Area.

Marie Curie actions

Research is a major driving force for economic and social development. New scientific and technological discoveries are constantly changing and improving the way we live and work. Europe has an enviable reputation in the world of research thanks largely to its highly qualified research personnel and their rich intellectual capacity and know-how. The EU is responsible for producing one third of the world's scientific knowledge and boasts world-class expertise in areas such as environmental science, medical research, transport, aerospace and telecommunications. Maintaining and enhancing this reputation is essential if Europe is to continue to compete successfully at international level, and if it is to meet its target of becoming the most dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010.

The Commission’s proposals for the FP7 Capacities programme aim to enhance research and innovation capacities throughout Europe and ensure their optimal use. The Capacities programme is provided with a budget of EUR 4 097 million.

Research infrastructures

The overall objective of the "Research infrastructures" part of the FP7 Capacities programme is to optimise the use and development of the best research infrastructures existing in Europe. Furthermore, it aims to help to create new research infrastructures of pan-European interest in all fields of science and technology. The European scientific community needs these to remain at the forefront of the advancement of research, and they will help industry to strengthen its base of knowledge and technological know how.

Research for the benefit of SMEs

The aim is to strengthen the 'innovation capacity' of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and their contribution to the development of new technology based products and markets. The programme will help them outsource research, increase their research efforts, extend their networks, better exploit research results and acquire technological know how, bridging the gap between research and innovation.

Regions of knowledge

The 'Regions of knowledge' initiative aims to strengthen the research potential of European regions, in particular by encouraging and supporting the development, across Europe, of regional 'research-driven clusters', associating universities, research centres, enterprises and regional authorities.

Research potential of Convergence Regions

Stimulating the realisation of the full research potential of the enlarged European Union by unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU's 'convergence regions' and outermost regions, and helping to strengthen the capacities of their researchers to successfully participate in research activities at EU level.

Science in society

With a view to building an effective and democratic European knowledge-based society, the aim is to stimulate the harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour and associated research policies into European society.

Support to the coherent development of research policies

This action aims to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of national and European Community research policies and their articulation with other policies, improving the impact of public research and its links with industry, and strengthening public support and its leverage effect on investment by private actors.

International cooperation

To become more competitive and play a leading role globally, the European Community needs a strong and coherent international science and technology (S&T) policy with three objectives:

• support European competitiveness through strategic partnerships with non-EU countries in selected fields of science and by engaging the best scientists from such countries to work with and in Europe;
• enhance the production of knowledge and scientific excellence by enabling European universities, research institutions and firms to establish contacts with their partners in such third countries, thereby facilitating access to research environments outside Europe and promoting synergies on a global scale;
• address specific problems that third countries face, or that have a global character, on the basis of mutual interest and mutual benefit.