Initiatives under Article 185 of the Lisbon Treaty

Initiatives under Article 185 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) are multi-annual programs implemented jointly by several European Union (EU) member states and associated countries. The EU participates by providing a significant financial contribution through the Framework Programme.

Article 185 TFEU states that "In implementing the multiannual framework programme, the Union may make provision, in agreement with the Member States concerned, for participation in research and development programmes undertaken by several Member States, including participation in the structures created for the execution of those programmes."

Achieving Article 185 requires participating EU Member States to integrate research efforts by defining and committing to a joint research programme. The EU is to promote the voluntary integration of scientific and management aspects as well as financial aspects for the joint implementation of parts of national research programmes rooted in a joint programme and the establishment of a dedicated implementation structure.

Ongoing initiatives under Article 185:

• Ambient Assisted Living (AAL)
• Joint Baltic Sea Research Programme (BONUS)
• European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP)
• European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
• Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Region (PRIMA)
• EUROSTARS

For more information on Article 185 initiatives, please visit the ERA-LEARN website