The European Union’s Framework Programmes: A less economic focus as a means of expansion? (ca. 1980-2002)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Kiran Patel
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 316001474

This research project examines the creation and development of European research policies by focusing on the history of the Framework Programmes (FP) of today’s European Union. Chronologically, it concentrates on the FP’s formative period from the early 1980s until the beginning of the Sixth Framework Programme in 2002. It is particularly interested in explaining the FP’s remarkable gain in importance during this period. It argues that an analysis of the mix between forms of competition and cooperation offers new insights into these dynamics. Equally helpful is an assessment of the problem of a marketisation of research policies at the time. The project underscores the role of cooperation and competition for the FP’s trajectory. Moreover, it demonstrates that the period saw a partial reduction of the instrumental orientation of EU research policies prioritising economic gains (De-Ökonomisierung in German) and that instead, it commenced to also push for other goals, such as societal stability. Having said that, the project demonstrates that even such programmes under the umbrella of the FP reflected the logic of the market. With this approach, the project will shed new light on the role on neoliberalism and marketisation in contemporary history.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2553: Cooperation and Competition in the Sciences