FP6 and Co-ordination Actions

The Sixth Framework Programme
Since 1984, all research and innovation activities of the European Union have been combined in one programme- the Framework Programme. The entire content of the Programme is proposed by the European Commission and decided by Council and the European Parliament. It acts as the Union’s main instrument for the funding of research in Europe.

FP6, or the Sixth Framework Programme, began on 1st January 2003. It is geared towards creating a European Research Area to improve competitiveness and innovation through increased cooperation and coordination. One thematic area of FP6 ‘Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health’ calls for coordinated efforts that address the present fragmentation of European research.
The PRIME project was proposed by the mouse functional genomics community to answer this call.

PRIME: A Co-ordination Action
A Co-ordination Action is a networking tool, designed to co-ordinate the activities of researchers for a specific purpose. Funding is given to co-ordinate the research carried out by the participants, of which there must be at least three from different countries. The research itself is funded from other sources- often within the Framework Programme.

The PRIME project involves five partners- each a leading centre of mouse genetics in Europe. By its very nature PRIME is also open to participants from any relevant and interested bodies- those affected by, and influential to the future of mouse functional genomics in Europe. The Open Meetings are intended to encourage these contributions and promote common goals within the field.