The mission of the Directorate General for Research is:

• to develop the European Union’s policy in the field of research and technological development and thereby contribute to the international competitiveness of European industry
  
• to coordinate European research activities with those carried out at the level of the Member States
  
• to support the Union’s policies in other fields such as environment, health, energy, regional development, etc.
  
• to promote a better understanding of the role of science in modern societies and stimulate a public debate about research-related issues at European level.