The EU is introducing a Common Strategic Framework for investment innovation and research. The public consultantion is over. The budget will be proposed at the end of 2011. Current expenditure is huge - 57 billion euros. It sits outside the structural funds (86 bn euros). The purpose of the changes are in times of recession to save money or at least not waste more. To simplify the very complex rules and systems and entry points and increase collaboration betwen the various programmes and funds. Overall the purpose of these changes are to increase the impact on: societal changes such as ageing and the environment; improve business competitiveness and rates of innovation, bring the European research area closer to market. It will take effect formally in 2014, with the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme being subsumed into the CSF by 2013. The relative independence of the new R&D Framework - FP8 with its and its priorities will be determined over 2012-13.