Article 185 Initiatives

Art. 185 of the Treaty of Lisbon (ex Art. 169 of the EC Treaty) enables the Community to participate in new joint research programmes undertaken by several member states, as well as to participate in the dedicated implementation structures:

“In implementing the multiannual framework programme, the Community 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.”

The aim of using this instrument is to support strongly the integration of national research activities that goes beyond coordination, and to achieve critical mass. The Community provides financial support to Art. 169 Initiatives out of the Framework Programme funds.

The basic criteria for the selection of proposals according to Article 169 are as follows:

• involvement of a sufficient number of Member States to obtain a significant structuring effect and critical mass;
• topic of great interest to the Community and fitting in with the thematic priorities of the Framework Programme;
• principle of co-funding by the Member States and the Community, and principle of additionality are respected; significant European added value;
• Article 169 is the only way the project could be implemented.

A first Article 169 action, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials
Partnership (EDCTP), was launched in June 2003. Under FP6, particular efforts
were made to activate this mechanism as a means of reinforcing European
research collaboration. Under FP7, two initiatives, Ambient Assisted Living and EUROSTARS, followed.  In December 2008 the launch of a European metrology research and development programme (EMRP) was proposed by the Commission and announced under the FP7 Cooperation Specific Programme. The proposal for a Joint Baltic Sea Research Programme (BONUS) is currently being prepared.

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