In the framework of the Innovation Impact study a large scale survey aiming to reach the majority of the participants in the 5th and 6th Framework Programmes has been launched.

Innovation, as one of the key drivers of competitiveness and economic development, has become one of the cornerstones of EU policy, especially in a context where he strong European science base is not matched by a sufficient high innovation performance. Therefore, understanding the interface between research, technological advancement and innovation becomes crucial.

The EU has been running successive Framework Programmes[1] for the last two decades (Check dates) and at present it envisages to double the funding of FP7 vis-à-vis FP6, and therefore, it seems mandatory to assess the contributions that these Programmes have on innovation and identify those factors that contribute or hinder to it. 

In this context, the objective of this survey will be to gain valuable insights from participants about the design and management of the Framework Programmes in order to draw concrete recommendations aimed at increasing the impact on innovation of FP6 and FP7.  

The current survey structures in three main sections:

• Section 1 asks general information about the organization, e.g. sector, year of establishment, technological intensity, etc., and it inquires about the general research and innovation activity of the organization.
• Section 2 studies the incentives to participate and the governance of the FP project
• Section 3 analyses the results in terms of innovation outputs and impacts deriving from the participation on the specific FP project

Despite a certain survey fatigue amongst FP participants, thie survey method has been chosen because it is the most accurate source of direct information related to the subject matter. The survey allows the study team to analyse the different elements that impact the innovative performance of an FP project and its participants, such as the motivation to participate, the project management and communication, the Commission rules, the innovation outputs, the additionality of the FP funding etc.

It is important to collect a high number of quality responses to the survey. This will make the results of the study more robust and increase the effects the recommendations of the study will have. 

Your participation would be highly appreciated. Benefits for the respondents include making a contribution and influencing (however small) the development of the innovation policies related to the Framework Programmes, highlighting certain aspects of a project, and for some elements, a benchmark against the entire FP’s, similar organisations and the different research areas.

The survey is entirely online, but the invitation is being sent by normal mail, this to avoid spam regulations in various Member States and to ensure the request to participate physically lands on a desk.

If you would like to participate but have not received an invitation please follow this link to submit a request. (link to be added)

[1] The Framework Programme is the main EU publicly funded research programme