Final evaluation of security research under the seventh framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration : executive summary

In 2014 the European Commission, Directorate-General Enterprise and Industry1 commissioned a study on the final evaluation of Security Research2 under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (FP7). This evaluation study was conducted by a consortium led by Technopolis Group and including VVA, as well as the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research. The research methodology included desk research, statistical analysis of data from the CORDA database, surveys of participants and end-users, stakeholder interviews, a series of case studies, and a stakeholder workshop. The FP7 Security Research Programme was one of ten thematic areas within the Cooperation Specific Programme of FP7. The FP7 Security Research Actions represent the first, fully-fledged EU security research programme, building on a series of European strategic and policy initiatives that were launched during the early 2000s and responding also to the events of 9/11. While the central objectives of the programme focused on increasing the security of European citizens, a major effort was also directed towards improving industrial competitiveness, with a research agenda reflecting the needs of users across Europe. The Security theme of FP7 had an exclusively civil orientation. It was conceived as a mission-driven programme, addressing four main security missions - 'Security of citizens', 'Security of infrastructures and utilities', 'Intelligent surveillance and border security', 'Restoring security and safety in case of crisis' - and three cross-cutting domains - 'Security and society', 'Systems integration, interconnectivity & interoperability', as well as 'Security research coordination and structuring'.