The Framework Programmes are the European Union's (EU) main instruments for supporting collaborative research and innovations in science, engineering and technology.

	7th Framework Programme (FP7) The 7th Framework Programme (FP7) proposes a budget of €73 billion for the years 2006 to 2013. The FP7 structure is based on four specific programmes: cooperation, ideas, people and capacities.
	6th Framework Programme (FP6) The 6th Framework Programme (FP6) for Research and Technological Development has a budget of €19 billion for the years 2002 to 2006. The Framework Programme is open to EU public and private entitities of all sizes and incorporates provision for the participaton of non-EU countries.
	Marie Curie Mobility Marie Curie Mobility provides broad support for the development of abundant and dynamic world-class human resources in the European research system, taking into account the inherent international dimension of research.
	South African participation South Africa's participation in the Framework Programmes dates from the signing of an agreement on scientific and technological (S&T) co-operation between the European Union and South Africa in 1996.
	Assistance To support and aid potential South African Framework Programme participants, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has created a number of dedicated support instruments.