Strengthening the research potential of European regions, in particular by encouraging and supporting regional 'research-driven clusters' associating universities, research centres, enterprises, regional authorities and other stakeholders across Europe.

The specific goals of the 'Regions of Knowledge' action therefore are:

• Fostering trans-national, including cross-border, co-operation between high potential research driven clusters in areas or topics of common interest. Projects should respond to challenges from the globalisation of markets, technological change or the evolution of the research framework in the European context and initiate mutual learning between regional actors (legal entities conducting research, business entities, regional/local authorities).
• Improving links between regional authorities, research entities and the local business community for the development of specific regional RTD policies and also partnerships in national or European initiatives.
• Developing Joint Action Plans (JAPs) at the regional and European level to increase regional economic competitiveness through research, technological development activities and innovation in traditional or emerging business sectors. JAPs will also explore opportunities for mobilising financial and other forms of support offered by national/regional authorities, private investments and by EU programmes (Research Framework Programme, CIP and the Structural Funds), in order to exploit the synergies between regional, national and EU programmes for research and economic development.
• Boosting the competitiveness of the regional research-driven clusters via dedicated internationalisation measures.
• Mentoring regions with a less developed research profile to support their capacity in setting up and developing regional research-driven clusters.
• Promoting the visibility of regional research-driven clusters by targeted dissemination actions including regional stakeholders and the wider public.

The work programme 2012-2013 will develop 'Transnational cooperation between regional research-driven clusters' by covering the following action lines

• Analysis, development and implementation of research agendas.
• Mentoring of regions with a less developed research profile by highly developed ones (optional).
• Internationalisation activities / strategies with third countries.
• Initiatives to improve integration of research actors and institutions in regional economies

REGIONS-2012-2013-1. Transnational cooperation between regional research-driven clusters

In the 2012-2013 call, proposals should address either one or both of the following domains:

• a) RTD and innovation aspects of EU digital agenda
• b) Development of technologies and services relevant for the implementation of a 'resource efficient Europe'

The Community provisional funding available for the call for proposals is:

• 17,99 Million EUR (Global Budget)

• 31 January 2012 - 7 years ago (Deadline for the presentation of proposals)

• Official page of the Call

• Call fiche FP7-REGIONS-2012-2013-1 (Other)
• Capacities Work Programme 2012 - General Introduction (Work programme)
• Annex 5 to the Decision RoK 2012 Work Programme (Work programme)
• Call for proposals for transnational cooperation between regional research-driven clusters (Legal base)

Opened to the following bodies or institutes with legal status established in the covered areas:

• Any legal organisation

Bodies or institutes must have their registered legal seat in one of the countries taking part in the Programme which are:

• European Union (EU)
• European Economic Area (EEA)
• Candidate Countries
• European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

Directorate-General for Research

• Call for proposals under the ‘Capacities’ work programme of the seventh EC framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities
• Call for proposals under the ‘Capacities’ work programme of the seventh EC framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities
• Call for Proposals - Géant
• Call for Proposals - Research potential 2013
• Call for Proposals - Regions of knowledge 2013