In 1995 the Government of Canada signed the Canada-European Union Agreement for Scientific and Technological Co-operation with the European Union, covering a range of S&T including energy. This Agreement gives Canadian companies, universities and research institutes the opportunity to join with European partners to prepare research proposals under the EU´s Framework Programmes for R&D. It allows Canadian researchers to participate in basic and applied research across many fields, including non-nuclear energy. Details on the EU 6th Framework Programme are available from the Community On-line R&D Information Service (CORDIS) at www.cordis.lu/. CORDIS also has a web site specifically for Canada-EU S&T cooperation, containing such information as key contacts and financial assistance programs: www.cordis.lu/canada/home.html
The EU considers proposals from research consortia with at least two partners from two or more EU countries. Consortia are typically large, led by major organizations with smaller partners contributing to the research. Under the terms of the Agreement, Canadian research organizations may join such European consortia. Or your organization may have linkages to European researchers with whom you could partner under the 6th Framework Programme.
Canadian researchers must arrange Canadian funding for their share of a particular project - money is not available from the EU. However, the Government of Canada has several funding programs to help finance Canadian participation in projects under the Agreement. Further information is available from the International Trade Canada Web site at: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/science/eu_home-en.htm