Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health   
Budget: 2.255 billion   
-Objective: to help Europe exploit breakthroughs achieved in decoding the genomes of living organisms, particularly for the benefit of public health and 
to increase the competitiveness of the European biotechnology industry.  
  
2) Information society technologies   
Budget: 3.625 billion   
-Objective: to stimulate the development of both hardware and software technologies and applications to allow European citizens the possibility of benefiting 
fully from the development of the knowledge-based society.  
  
3) Nanotechnologies, knowledge-based multifunctional materials, new production processes   
Budget: 1.300 billion   
-Objective: to help Europe achieve a critical mass of capacities to develop and exploit research into supramolecular architecture and macromolecules 
and their applications for chemistry, health, etc.   
  
4) Aeronautics and space   
Budget: EUR 1.075 billion   
-Objective: to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the European aeronautics and space industry with a view to improving safety and environmental 
protection.  
  
5) Food safety and risks to health   
Budget: EUR 685 million   
-Objective: to establish the scientific and technological bases needed to produce and distribute safer, healthier and varied food.  
  
6) Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems (including research in the area of energy and transport)   
Budget: EUR 2.120 billion   
-Objective: to implement sustainable development while integrating environmental, economic and social objectives, including renewable energies, 
transport and sustainable management of Europe's land and marine resources.  
  
7) Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society   
Budget: EUR 225 million   
-Objective: to mobilise European research capacities in economic, political, social sciences and humanities in order to build the knowledge-based society. 
 
  
8) Specific activities covering a wider field of research  
  
Policy support and anticipating scientific and technological needs. Budget: EUR 555 million   
-Objective: to attain the fundamental objectives of the Community by underpinning the formulation and implementation of Community policies where it will 
not be possible to satisfy requirements under the thematic priorities.   
Horizontal research activities involving small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Budget: EUR 430 million   
-Objective: to help European SMEs in traditional or new areas to boost their technological capacities and develop their ability on a European and international 
scale.   
Specific measures in support of international cooperation. Budget: EUR 315 million   
-Objective: to encourage international research cooperation in the developing countries, Mediterranean countries, including the western Balkans, 
Russia and the New Independent States (NIS).   
Non-nuclear activities of the Joint Research centre (JRC). Budget: EUR 760 million   
-Objective: to provide independent scientific and technical support in cooperation with scientific circles, national research organisations, universities 
and businesses in Europe. 
         

The European Union (EC) has been conducting a policy of research and technological development based on multiannual framework programmes since 1984. The 
sixth framework programme is now in force and like its predecessors constitutes a useful instrument which exerts a significant impact on research activities 
in the Member States.    
   
To exploit this potential to the full, however, a broader approach is necessary, requiring the creation of a real European Research Area , the goal of which 
is to create an arena to promote the development of Europe's capacity to become one of the driving forces for research worldwide.   
   
The European Research Area (ERA) is the cornerstone of the sixth framework programme. By improving greater cooperation between the various economic, social 
and scientific players, the ERA promotes scientific excellence, competitiveness and innovation.