Research
The Lisbon Treaty 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).
See Art. 4.3 TFEU and 179-190 TFEU for "Research and technological development and space" establishing a joint research area for both research, researchersand universities.
An EU multi-annual framework programme sets out the respective research activities and is implemented through more specific annual programmes.
The EU's power 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.
Links
See also European research area.
European Commission Research website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm
The sixth Framework Programme: http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/index_en.cfm?p=0