ERA is described as “The development, at European level, of an area for the coherent and co-ordinated pursuit of research activities and policies, and an area in which researchers and knowledge move freely will encourage the expression of European excellence in several ways: First, by making it possible to establish a 'critical mass' of potential excellence, by networking the capacities present in different Member States, particularly through intensive use of information and communication technologies. Second, by releasing people and teams from the protection of national barriers, thus introducing competition and increasing the general level of excellence. Third, by attracting to Europe the best researchers from the rest of the world, in the same way that American campuses are currently attracting researchers.”

	The objective of the European Research Area initiative combines three related and complementary concepts:
		The creation of an "internal market" in research, an area of free movement of knowledge, researchers and technology, with the aim of increasing cooperation, stimulating competition and achieving a better allocation of resources;
		A restructuring of the European research fabric, particularly through improved coordination of national research activities and policies, which account for most of the research carried out and financed in Europe;
		The development of a European research policy which not only addresses the funding of research activities, but also takes account of all relevant aspects of other EU and national policies.

For more information about ERA, please visit www.cordis.lu/era