TRANS REG NCP, the trans-national network of the National Contact Points for the FP7 "Regions of Knowledge" programme, supports all research organizations, enterprises and regional authorities to utilize the opportunities offered by the 7th Framework Programme for the development of research-driven-clusters. 

The Network consists of 11 partners form the EU Member States and Associated countries, and is co-funded by the EU Commission under FP7 Specific Programme Capacities. It provides high quality services, specialized on the FP7 programme "Regions of Knowledge": information on the open calls, tips for successful participation, dissemination of best practices from experienced practitioners to newcomers, assistance in finding appropriate research and development partners, information on complementary funding for regional development.

The website of the Network (htttp://www.transregncp.eu) provides access to information on research-driven-clusters policies and initiatives, open calls and past funded project, news, events, useful links, etc. The Partner Search Facility is under construction and will be soon online to facilitate the emergence, operation and benchmarking of research-driven clusters. Validated proposal ideas will be disseminated through the Network for highly competitive and successful projects to the EU calls. A full report on mapping European research-driven clusters will be also available in December.

The "Regions of knowledge" programme aims to strengthen the research potential of European regions, by encouraging and supporting the development, across Europe, of regional "research-driven clusters", associating universities, research centres, enterprises and regional authorities. The actions undertaken in this area will enable European regions to increase their investments and develop their commitment in research which contributes to economic development.

The current call for proposals “Transnational cooperation between regional research-driven clusters” was announced in September, with budget of 16,15 Meuro and deadline on 27 January 2009.

TRANS REG NCP is presented in “Paris Region Innovation tour – Intercluster 2008”, the European event organised by the French EU Presidency, which takes place in November, in Paris.

More information: http://www.transregncp.eu