The deadline for the FP7 3rd call for proposals in the area of satellite navigation passed on 16 December with a record number of applications received.
The EU’s GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA), which coordinates the call, received a total of 74 proposals. This is in addition to 73 proposals received for the topic focused on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) which had an earlier deadline under a two-step procedure introduced this year to reduce administrative burden.
Boris Kennes, GSA Market Development officer estimated that there was a 60% increase compared to previous calls. “We are very pleased with the response,” he said.
He added that this was despite a reduction in the proportion of public funding to the projects. “It shows clearly that there is still a lot of interest in GNSS research,” said Kennes.
FP7 is providing support to R&D and innovation in GNSS, to accelerate the European market for satellite navigation applications and create opportunities for European industry. Up to 50% of the budget will support applications development, with emphasis on mature and commercially-viable research.
The call makes a total of €30 million in funding available, covering eight topics:
- Professional applications, including using PRS;
- Safety Of Life applications (SoL) for all transport modes;
- Scientific applications and innovative applications in new domains;
- International activities;
- Networks for universities and research institutes, and user fora;
- Technologies for PRS receivers;
- Receivers.
The GSA will work with 40 independent experts in January to assess which proposals will receive funding. The GSA should announce the final results in February 2011.
Meanwhile the second stage for the topic on Innovative applications/for mass market and in niche sectors [including PRS applications] – which is aimed primarily at SMEs – is open until January 13th at 17:00.
More information
New R&D Funding for GNSS focuses on applications and market development – Growing Galileo 2010 conference report (September 2010)
SMEs show high interest in R&D funding for GNSS applications (October 2010)