European Research Area

Cutting-edge research has a long tradition in Europe. European research teams are leading in many areas of science and technology. However, as centres of excellence are scattered right across Europe without being networked in a suitable manner, their potential cannot be fully exploited in many cases. Even though joint actions have already been launched at European and EU level, it is now time to promote a future-oriented research and innovation policy and establish a European Research Area as an equivalent to the Common Market for goods and services.

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The European Research Area (ERA)

On 18 January 2000, EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin presented the communication entitled "Towards a European research area". This triggered a broad discussion aimed at creating a "borderless space" for European science. The main objectives of this political initiative are to make better use of scientific resources for securing jobs in Europe, to increase competitiveness, improve coordination of research activities at national and European level, develop human resources and increase the attractiveness of the European research environment for the best researchers in the world. The most important instrument for establishing a European Research Area is the EU Research Framework Programme.

Another goal is to increase the overall expenditure on research and development (R&D) and to ensure that innovations will account for 3% of the gross domestic product in the EU by the year 2010. The German Federal Government also pursues this 3 per cent of GDP target.   Cooperation between the member states is based on the open method of coordination, which was formally introduced as a new, supplementary political instrument in the EU with the Conclusions of the Lisbon European Council in March 2000 and of the Gothenburg Council in June 2001.

The main feature of the open method of coordination is voluntary cooperation between individual member states and the exchange of experience and best practice.   Within the framework of the EU, in European organisations and research establishments and in multilateral organisations, the Federal Republic of Germany is contributing substantially to the design and implementation of European and international science, research and technology policy.  

Further information:

• EU Research Framework Programme 
• EUREKA / COST 
• European organisations
• Bilateral cooperation.
  

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