KT&I Gateway

 

Directorate General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD)

Institution overall role: Implements EU research and innovation policy to help achieve the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for growth and sustainability and the Innovation Union.

Role in research, knowledge transfer & innovation: DG RTD supports research and innovation through European Framework Programmes (FPs). Through the successor programme Horizon 2020 (2014-2020), it coordinates and supports national and regional research and innovation programmes and contributes to the creation of the European Research Area (ERA). Thematic areas of DG research of most relevance to rural development are:

1. agriculture, fisheries and forestry;
2. environment;
3. small business;
4. sustainable development;
5. water.

Priorities/objectives of rural development research, knowledge transfer & innovation: The sector specific priority areas are agriculture and food development, CAP support and socio-economic development.

Other relevant information: Between 2007 and 2013, EU Cohesion Policy instruments are providing €86.4 billion (almost 25% of the total) to R&D and innovation, including the mainstreaming of innovative actions and experimentation. Areas of particular interest to rural development include SME development, entrepreneurship, ICT and investment in human capital.

Institutional networking linkages: There are numerous inter-connections, functional networks and initiatives associated with DG Research and Innovation. Horizon 2020 is the principle strategic document for research, and a range of networks and initiatives are in place to support the achievement of the strategic objectives.

Research & innovation links: Accessible through homepage below.

Homepage: https://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?lg=en

Contact details:
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
European Commission
SDME 2/2
B-1049 Brussels - Belgium