First Calls for proposals under the EU's FP7 are expected at the end of 2006. Technical scope, participation rules and administrative procedures are all currently under discussion and negotiation between the Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Member States.

This four-day event will gather clinicians, administrators, health information users and buyers, as well as relevant public authorities and policy makers from across Europe and the Middle East in an effort to bridge the gap between public policy and the realities of day-to-day implementation of healthcare through information and communication technologies (ICT).

The vision of a universal clinical terminology, covering a broad range of health-related domains and meeting the needs of all health professionals has stimulated numerous health informatics research activities in the last two decades.

The training courses will detail and describe the objectives, instruments, rationale and calendar for the adoption of FP7 and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP). The aim is to help would-be participants prepare successful proposals.

The workshop will provide a practical approach and tools to help formalise applications and design budgets. The full implications of the contract with the Commission will be discussed, and attendees will also be offered tips on how best to manage their partnerships and optimise their initiatives.

The course is aimed at preparing those interested in participating in an FP7 project. It will provide an overview of the structure, content and instruments of the research programme, as well strategies for successful participation.

The event will provide an early opportunity to gain an understanding of the current status of FP7 in the ICT context and the crucial differences which are emerging between it and FP6.