Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme

The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) of the European Commission is meant to improve the competitiveness of European companies facing the challenges of globalization. The programme is mainly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which will receive support for innovation activities, better access to finance and business support services. It will run from 2007 to 2013.

The programme wants to encourage the usage of information and communications technologies (ICT), renewable energies and to promote energy efficiency.

The CIP is based on Decision No 1639/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (2007 to 2013).

CIP is complementary to the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) and is supposed to be "mutually-reinforcing [..], each designed to contribute to the success of the other."

The program COSME followed up CIP and runs 2014 to 2020.

The CIP consists of three programmes:

All three programmes are managed by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI), a EU government body established by the European Commission to operate and oversee the various activities of CIP.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP)

The European Commission indicates that EIP focuses to facilitate access to finance for the start-up and growth of SMEs and encourage investment in innovation activities and to create an environment favourable to SME cooperation, particularly in the field of cross-border cooperation, thereby promoting and assisting in all forms of innovation in enterprises. The EIP will specifically support innovation efforts in the ecological sector. It also has the broader ambition to promote an entrepreneurship and innovation culture and related economic and administrative reform.

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