Various European programmes for research and technological development (R&D) aim to address challenges that cannot be tackled exclusively at national level. These programmes pursue diverse objectives and respond to clearly defined strategic priorities. Their common aim is to promote transnational cooperation in order to strengthen Europe's potential in a number of key research areas.

The programmes are open to a broad range of stakeholders, such as research organisations, individual researchers, businesses and management authorities. They cover many topics and provide different types of assistance (financial aid, attribution of a label, support for mobility or advanced training, for example).

This section presents the main European R&D programmes of which Luxembourg is a member and to which it contributes.

The Seventh European Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) is the European Union's main financial instrument for the implementation of its policy of support to research.

The European Space Agency (ESA) aims to strengthen Europe's potential in the space sector.

The European intergovernmental initiative EUREKA encourages the implementation of transnational collaborative R&D projects in all technology areas.

The intergovernmental network COST stimulates European cooperation in scientific and technical research by improving research coordination at the European level.

The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) aims to boost the competitiveness and the innovation capacity of European businesses. The programme is primarily intended for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The European programme Eurostars supports transnational collaborative R&D projects implemented by SMEs in any technology area.

The objective of the joint research programme Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is to enhance the quality of life of older people through the use of information and communication technologies.

The Fit4Europe measure proposed by the Ministry of the Economy and Foreign Trade supports companies in their preparation of a European research project.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is a financial instrument of the EU offering subsidies to projects designed to stimulate growth and employment.