This aim will be achieved through:

• Optimising the use and development of research infrastructures
• Strengthening innovative capacities of SMEs and their ability to benefit from research
• Supporting the development of regional research-driven clusters
• Unlocking the research potential in the EU’s convergence and outermost regions
• Bringing science and society closer together for the harmonious integration of science and technology in European society
• Horizontal actions and measures in support of international cooperation.

This specific programme also aims to support the Coherent Development of Policies, complementing the coordination activities under the Cooperation programme, and contributing to Community policies and initiatives that aim to improve the impact of Member States Policies. This includes:

• Monitoring and analysis or research related public policies and industrial strategies;
• Coordination of research policies, including trans-national cooperation initiatives.    

Research Infrastructures

Research Infrastructures are facilities, resources and services that are needed by the research community to conduct research in all scientific and technological fields. Support will be given to:

• Optimise the use of existing research infrastructures and improving their performance;
• Foster the development of new research infrastructures;
• Specific measures, including support to emerging needs in research infrastructures.

Research for the benefits of SMEs

The objective is to strengthen the innovation capacity of European SMEs and their contribution to the development of new technology based products and markets by helping them outscore research, increase their research efforts, extend their networks, better exploit research results and acquire technological know how.

Regions of Knowledge

The new Regions of Knowledge initiative will strengthen the research potential of European regions by encouraging and supporting ‘research-driven clusters’, and bring together universities, research centres, industry and public authorities.

Research Potential

The aim is to stimulate the realisation of the full research potential of the enlarged European Union by unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU’s convergence and outermost regions. Activities will cover:

• Two-way secondments
• Recruitment of researchers
• Acquisition or development of research equipment
• Workshops/conferences
• Dissemination/promotional activities
• Evaluation facilities

Science in Society

The Science in Society initiative is intended to stimulate a harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour and associated research policies in the European social structure. It will encourage a Europe-wide reflection and debate on science and technology and their relation with society and culture.

The initiative undertaken in this field will provide support to:

• Strengthening and improving the European science system, including "self regulation";
• Broader engagement of researchers and the general public in science-related questions;
• Reflection and debate on science and technology and their place in society;
• Gender research, including the integration of the gender dimension in all areas of  research
• An environment that triggers curiosity for science in young people, reinforcing science education at all levels;
• Development of a policy on the role of universities;
• Improved communication between the scientific world and the wider audience of policy-makers, the media and the general public.

International Cooperation

International Cooperation aims to support European competitiveness through strategic partnerships with third countries in selected fields of science and by engaging the best third country scientists to work in and with Europe. It also aims to address specific problems that third countries face or that have a global character, on the basis of mutual interest and mutual benefit.

Targeted countries are:

• Candidate countries
• Mediterranean partner countries (MPC), Western Balkans countries (WBC) as well as the Eastern European, Caucasus and Central Asian countries (EECCA)
• Developing countries.

For further information about the Capacities Programme visit: http://www.mcst.gov.mt or email mcst.info@gov.mt

The official European Commission website for the Specific programme of Capacities is: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/capacities/home_en.html