Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and the United States

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America

Decision 98/591/EC – conclusion of the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America

Decision 2004/756/EC – conclusion of an agreement renewing the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America

Decision 2009/306/EC – extension and amendment of the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America

Decision 2014/240/EU – extension of the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America

Decision (EU) 2018/1578 – extension of the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America

Decision (EU) 2023/2073 – extension of the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISIONS?

The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation aiming at encouraging, developing and facilitating activities in the areas of science and technology.

By Decision 98/591/EC, the Council of the European Union approved the conclusion of the agreement on behalf of the European Community (now the European Union (EU)).

The Council approved successive extensions in 2004 (Decision 2004/756/EC), 2009 (Decision 2009/306/EC – including an amendment of the agreement), 2014 (Decision 2014/240/EU), 2018 (Decision (EU) 2018/1578) and 2023 (Decision (EU) 2023/2073).

KEY POINTS

Activities conducted under the agreement are based on the following principles:

mutual benefit;
reciprocal opportunities to engage in cooperative activities;
equitable and fair treatment;
timely exchange of information.

Cooperation

The areas of cooperative activities are:

environment (including climate research);
biomedicine and health (including AIDS, infectious diseases and drug abuse);
agriculture;
fisheries science;
engineering research;
non-nuclear energy;
natural resources;
materials sciences (including nanotechnology) and metrology;
information and communication technologies;
telematics;
biotechnology;
marine sciences and technologies;
social sciences research;
transportation;
security research;
space research;
science and technology policy, management, training and mobility of scientists.

Activities

Cooperative activities may include:

coordinated research projects and joint research projects;
joint task forces;
joint studies;
joint organisation of scientific seminars, conferences, symposia and workshops;
training of scientists and technical experts;
exchange or sharing of equipment and materials;
visits and exchanges of scientists, engineers or other appropriate personnel;
exchanges of scientific and technological information and of information on practices, laws, regulations and programmes relevant to cooperation under this agreement.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 14 October 1998 for an initial period of 5 years and can be extended with possible amendments for additional periods of 5 years.

The agreement has been extended 5 times, last time in 2023, for an additional period of 5 years each time. The second extension included an amendment – adding research on security and space to the list of sectors for cooperative activities.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

The European Union and the United States (European External Action Service)

For more information about research and innovation cooperation with the United States, see:

Roadmap for EU–USA S&T cooperation (European Commission)
Research and innovation – United States (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (OJ L 284, 22.10.1998, pp. 37–44).

Council Decision 98/591/EC of 13 October 1998 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (OJ L 284, 22.10.1998, pp. 35–36).

Council Decision 2004/756/EC of 4 October 2004 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement renewing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (OJ L 335, 11.11.2004, pp. 5–6).

Council Decision 2009/306/EC of 30 March 2009 concerning the extension and amendment of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (OJ L 90, 2.4.2009, pp. 20–21).

Council Decision 2014/240/EU of 14 April 2014 concerning the extension of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (OJ L 128, 30.4.2014, pp. 43–44).

Council Decision (EU) 2018/1578 of 18 September 2018 concerning the extension of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (OJ L 263, 22.10.2018, pp. 1–2).

Council Decision (EU) 2023/2073 of 25 September 2023 concerning the extension of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America (OJ L 239, 28.9.2023, pp. 26–27).