EU Commission DG Research The Directorate General’s mission is evolving as work on the European Research Area (ERA) continues 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. and 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.