The Sixth Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities was the single public source of research funding in Europe in the period from 2002 to 2006. It included two instruments, the "Networks of excellence" and the "Integrated Projects” aiming at creating a substantial and lasting integration of the research activities in the EU.

Projects carried out under NoEs and IPs received almost 50% of FP6 funds. Around 167 projects were funded as NoEs with an average EU contribution of 7 million euro per contract whilst 700 projects were funded as ‘IPs’ with an average EU contribution of 9,5 million euro per contract.

On 14 October, the European Court of Auditors published a report entitled “'Networks of excellence' and 'Integrated projects' in Community Research policy: did they achieve their objectives?” The purpose of the audit was to assess whether ‘Networks of Excellence’ and ‘Integrated projects’ had contributed to achieve the EU research policy objectives as well as their own specific objectives.

According to the Court “these instruments have operated in the absence of an explicit intervention logic, as well as of SMART objectives and performance indicators.”

The Court found that the instruments have promoted research collaboration and projects of reasonable quality nevertheless their specific objectives were only partially achieved.

According to the Court none of the NoEs achieved “lasting integration among networked partners”, consequently “making future collaboration subject to continued public support.” Massimo Vari, Member of the European Court of Auditors, has pointed out that “Only a minority of networks moved towards self-sustainable integration of the partners’ research capacities after the ending of Community funding.” Since the majority of NoEs funded under FP6 have not reached durable integration, the Court has doubts whether “it is justified to continue their financing beyond the initial duration, under the ongoing Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).”

Moreover, according to the report, the IPs have failed to attract additional public and private funding.

The Court has therefore recommended the Commission to “(…) consider whether NoEs and IP-like collaborative projects have realistic objectives and provide significant advantages (…)" as well as to “(…) assess on a case-by-case basis whether past achievements, potential EU added value and prospects of self-sustainability justify further funding under the current Framework Programme (covering the period 2007 to 2013).”

As regards the Commission’s management of the instruments the Court has found several weaknesses such as uncertainty about the specific role of the new instruments, insufficient guidance, negotiation process long and untransparent and weak project monitoring.