The European Union has given its support to plans to boost funding for key areas of research, including for fuel cells and the development of hydrogen technology.

The seventh research framework programme (FP7) includes proposal to increase research in a number of important industry sectors and among them will be a focus on the creation of a hydrogen economy.

Under the proposals, the European Union will co-fund the schemes at European level and all the initiatives will run until 2017.

It is the first time that public-private finance initiatives have been used in this way on a pan-European level.

The European Commission is to present its plans for the fuel cells and hydrogen joint undertaking on December 19th, the Parliament reports.

Sources:

EU parliament backs key research proposals, 11/12/07
http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200712/825b0385-0df4-47b1-a0cf-9f30bf76eeda.htm

Several FP7 calls launched, 6/12/07
http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=FP7_NEWS&ACTION=D&RCN=28785

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