This course aims at giving a very basic overview of the European Union to newly nominated NCPs from Member States, Associated countries or Third countries. This onboarding should suit the three different backgrounds. For this the formation of the EU together with its 8 institutions is described. In a next step four most relevant institutions for Research and innovation, together with the respective intersections to the Framework programme, are outlined.

In a second part the 7-year cycle of the EU is explained by indicating relevant links to the R&I programme.

In a last part, the European Union and those contact persons relevant for NCPs are indicated and their roles explained.

Similarly, the EU jargon which an NCP may encounter and which is specific for the R&I programme, will be explained and illustrated.

Overall this course comes in 9 lectures which different test-your-knowledge section.

Course overview

1. Welcome
2. The EU institution: an overview
3. The European integration: a short intro
4. Focus on the European Parliament
5. Focus on the European Council
6. Focus on the Council of the EU
7. Focus on the European Commission
8. The legal acts of the EU
9. To finish