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 muscoskeletal 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.
The EU's 7th Research Framework Programmes (FP7)
The EU Research Framework Programme (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.
Throughout the whole life span of FP7 and beyond, EULAR strives to obtain optimal support for rheumatic disease research in Europe and facilitate access of the research community to the programme.
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
Research Framework Programme (FP) 7
Innovative Medicine Initiative