The British government launched a new initiative on Tuesday (November 4), designed to help universities and companies more easily get their hands on EU funds under the 6th Framework Programme (FP6).

As the European Union's main way of providing cash for collaborative research and innovation, FP6 has an overall budget of €17.5 billion and will run until the end of 2006. In an effort to help British groups enjoy some of that research and development largesse, the government has set up “FP6UK,” which gives one-point access to the range of experts in its network of national contact points.

Undersecretary of State for Science and Innovation David Sainsbury said the EU funding was a “vital resource” for universities and businesses.

“Our new service will provide seamless support for applicants from their initial enquiry through to, hopefully successful, final awards,” he said. FP6UK can be contacted through a central...

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