National Contact Points (NCPs) play a crucial role in the Framework Programme (FP) as providers of information and assistance to potential participants (applicants) of new projects and contractors in on-going projects. They reach out to the European research community in order to inform and raise awareness about the funding opportunities of the Framework Programme, to advise and assist potential applicants in the preparation, submission and follow-up of grant applications, and to offer support during the execution of projects – especially with respect to the management and administrative aspects of projects. Moreover, due to its closeness to the European research community, the European Commission understands the NCP Network as an important instrument for gathering feedback on possible problems and difficulties in the implementation of the Framework Programme.

However NCPs organised and financed nationally have led to the development of a collection of heterogeneous structures reflecting different national traditions and working methodologies which in consequence does not necessarily provide European-wide standards of services offered by them but required to the good implementation of EU Framework Programmes. Therefore maintaining a uniformly high-level of service across Europe is a challenge for NCP system as a whole regardless of the level of experience of each particular NCP expert as well as complexity of EU FPs.