EU Research Funding
In the context of the Lisbon-Strategy from the year 2000, the European Research Policy was granted new stimulus and guidelines for the 21st Century. This is because research and innovation are mainsprings, with which one can track the ambitious goal of the Council of the European Union: to make Europe into the most competitive, most growth-acclaimed and knowledge-based economic area in the world.
A further cornerstone from the year 2000 is the creation of a “European Research Area” (ERA), which is meant to consolidate the research and economic area of Europe. An attempt is made in this context to clear the way for a “common market for research” – a market in which scientists, know-how individuals and technologies can move freely and in which a sufficient European research and technology policy can be implemented.
In order to achieve this goal, instruments are being put in place such as the Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration, in which national research capacities at the European level are bundled and supported by European financial instruments.
As a complementary measure, subsidies from other financial sources within the EU may not be disregarded, such as those from environment policies (LIFE+), regional policies (EFRE) or from cohesion policies (social and cohesion funds). Only through concentrated campaigns with the various political areas, can Europe thus be successful in participating in global competition.
