EU OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCH IN THE HEALTH FIELD. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE ROMANIAN PARTICIPATION?
Abstract:
Background: Research and technological development (RTD) is a high priority topic in the European Union (EU), being an obligation stipulated by the European treaty, but also a key factor for the humanity progress. Aim: describing the main EU RTD opportunities in the field of health and analysing the degree of Romanian researchers’ involvement in the EU initiatives. Methods: A review of main EU relevant documents related to research was done, considering the key priorities, the investment (in EUR) and the countries involvement (measured in the number of projects, total budget and budget per inhabitant). Results: the Framework Programmes (FP) have been the main tools for financing RTD activities in the EU. Launched in 1984, this mechanism has been continuously developed in terms of financing, number of projects and number of entities and member states involved. However, the capacity to access research funds varies among the member states in terms of total budget or budget by inhabitant. Germany, UK, France, Italy and Netherlands absorbed the highest amount of funds from FP 6 and FP 7 (partial data), but Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Netherlands and Belgium succeeded in reaching the highest budget per inhabitant. Lowest budgets and budgets per inhabitant were found in the new comers. Romania absorbed the lowest amount of money per inhabitant, both from FP 6 and FP 7 (in FP 7, the situation seemed to improve - from 1.3 to 1.9 EUR/inhabitant). In the health field, Romania is member in 39 projects. Conclusion: The Romanian participation in the Framework Research EU programmes, in general, but also in the health issues is still weak and needs to be developed in the future. Identifying interested parties, exploring and disseminating the opportunities at national level, understanding the challenges for the national stakeholders and taking appropriate actions could help in increasing the visibility of Romania in these programmes.
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