"International cooperation plays an increasingly important role in tackling the major European and global challenges. The 7th Framework Programme (FP7) strongly emphasis international cooperation, increasing international collaboration is implemented by targeting Third Countries and fostering strategic Science &Technology (S&T) cooperation with key Third Countries such as the United States will be particularly needed. The BILAT-USA proposal will set up a sustainable, knowledge based, bi-regional dialogue platform between S&T key players as well as stakeholders from the EU-Member and Associated States and from the U.S. The project will strengthen S&T policies building on common interest and aiming at mutual benefit in order to strengthen the cooperation between EU and US. In line with the work programme to this call for proposals, this project will particularly focus on contributing to the implementation of the FP objectives by increasing participation of US researchers in the FP through a comprehensive approach in awareness raising, good practice sharing and effective dissemination activities. At the same time it will establish synergies with other ongoing projects and initiatives, in order to identify complementary opportunities and to contribute to the further development of the cooperation between the EU and US. The overall strategy of the work plan in this BILAT-USA proposal has been built on the following principles: - A consortium consisting of strong partners both in the EU and the US, who are key players in the field and are thus able to implement this ambitious work plan, - A comprehensive and clearly structured work plan devoted to achieve real results and impact; - A committed approach to networking at all levels: in the EU, in the US and with the actors involved in EU-US S&T cooperation; - A limited number of partners that form a complementary and comprehensive consortium - A clear and effective management structure for the implementation."