Research

(Photo: Notat)
The EU’s power (competence) in the area of research is designed to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of industry in the EU, and to promote research activities in general. This power (competence) is limited to complementing, promoting, and co-ordinating the national activities.

The future

The EU Constitution classifies research as a special category of competence allowing the EU to carry out common actions and implement programmes, but not to prevent Member States from exercising their own powers (competences) (Art. 13.3). An EU multi-annual programme sets out the respective research activities.

Links

Research programme: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/index_en.html
See also European research area.