Did Framework Programme 6 and 7 contribute to the development of human research capacity in Europe?

IDEA Consult managed the study of the contribution of the framework programmes to the development of human research capacity for the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation.

The aim of the study was to provide a detailed and robust assessment of how and to what extent the different Specific Programmes of FP6-7 impacted on the development of human research capacity in Europe. It will continue to be the reference for analysing impacts on skills, expertise and career paths of individual participants and on the organisation, recruitment and sustainable job creation in participating teams.

To collect new data and information, two surveys and ten case studies were designed. Through the surveys we collected representative information on individual researchers and on participating teams. We also performed a counterfactual analysis to attribute the identified effects directly to the FP participation of individual researchers. The ten case studies included in-depth interviews with project participants and aimed to study all aspects of the impact of FP participation on human research capacity in Europe, within its context, and to explore in more detail the nuances and mechanisms behind these impacts.

The conclusions and recommendations of the project now inform and support decision-making processes in research and technology policy, and more in particular in tailoring the EC's funding instruments (Horizon2020 programme) to reach maximal impact on human research capacity in the future.