EULAR and European research policy
One of the aims of EULAR is to raise awareness of the European decision-makers of the burden of rheumatic diseases, and to attract greater attention to the need for better positioning of rheumatic diseases at the European level. As the umbrella organisation for rheumatic diseases and musculoskeletal diseases, EULAR is actively engaged in the EU research arena on various levels and topics. EULAR is strongly committed to increasing funding opportunities for research in the areas it represents.
Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 is the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, succeeding the current 7th Framework Programme for Research. Running from 2014 to 2020 with an ¬80 billion budget, the EUs new programme for research and innovation is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe. EULAR is actively advocating for the interests and needs of the RMD community to be adequately represented in Horizon 2020.
The EU's 7th Framework Programme for Research (FP7)
The EU Framework Programme for Research (FP) is the main financial tool to support research at the European level. FP7, which applies to the years 2007-2013, is the result of years of consultation with the scientific community, research and policy-making institutions and other interested parties. Thanks to the intensive awareness-raising and political presence of EULAR at the European level, rheumatic diseases have received an explicit mentioning in the programme's section on major diseases.
Researchers can benefit from the programme's different funding mechanisms for collaborative projects, networks of excellence, coordination and support actions, individual projects, support for training and career development of researchers or SME research. Every year new work programmes and calls with changing thematic focus provide opportunities for participating in cross-border projects. EULAR supports its members in accessing European funds.
Biomedical Research Alliance
The Biomedical Research Alliance was founded in 2010. Its principal goals and objectives are to promote the best interests and values of research across all medical disciplines in Europe, in those general areas where common interest is identified. The alliance particularly seeks to facilitate and improve biomedical research in Europe, develop a framework for better training and mobility of young researchers in Europe and improve public understanding of medical science in Europe. EULAR joined the alliance in 2011.
Innovative Medicine Initiative (IMI)
The IMI represents a new approach to research funding at European level. Such Joint Technology Initiatives (JTI) and European Technology Platforms were designed to create private-public partnerships (PPP) for research and development. In the case of the IMI, both the European Union through its 7th Research Framework Programme and the pharmaceutical industry through its umbrella organisation EFPIA provide funding for projects in selected areas.
Together with other leading medical societies, EULAR contributed to the establishment of IMI. The IMI research agenda includes an overall section on inflammatory diseases which includes arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
RELATED INFORMATION
Horizon 2020
Research Framework Programme (FP) 7
Biomedical Research Alliance
Innovative Medicine Initiative