Research Executive Agency (REA) - (Executive Agencies)
Budget
Description Go to funding source website
Executive Agencies
Executive agencies are set up for a limited period of time by the European Commission to manage specific tasks related to EU programmes.
Research Executive Agency (REA)
The Research Executive Agency is a funding body for research and innovation. It manages EU research grants.
Responsibilities
Research and innovation
REA, mandated by the European Commission to support the EU Research and Innovation policy, funds high-quality research and innovation projects that generate knowledge for the benefit of society.
Accordingly, REA’s responsibilities are to:
- help manage parts of Horizon 2020, the EU's framework programme for research and innovation
- run research projects supported under Horizon 2020 and FP7, its predecessor
- provide support to its clients - funding applicants, beneficiaries and independent experts
- keep close contact with beneficiaries of EU funds
- manage the European Commission research enquiry service, which answers questions from grant applicants, EU-funded researchers and the public
- support independent experts evaluating project proposals competing for EU research funds, and helps with the legal and financial validation of programme participants
Research Executive Agency - Brochure English (3140 KB - PDF) Download PDF - 3140 KB
In the context of its 10th anniversary, REA analyses its evolution in terms of budget delegation and support services

Programmes
Current funding programme Horizon 2020
The agency manages
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions - funds mobility of researchers across borders and sectors
- future and emerging technologies - funds collaboration between advanced multidisciplinary science and cutting-edge engineering
- space research - supports the European space research community in developing innovative technologies
- food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy
- innovative, inclusive and reflective societies - funds research projects addressing social exclusion, and inequality
- secure societies - aims to protect freedom and security of Europe and its citizens in a time of unprecedented global threats
- spreading excellence and widening participation - aims to optimise the strengths of each EU country
- science with and for society - aims to recruit new talent for science and pair scientific excellence with social awareness and responsibility
2007-2013 (7th framework programme for research and technological development)
The Research Executive Agency is managing around 11,000 projects under the 7th framework programme for research and technological development (FP7), the predecessor of Horizon 2020, in these areas
- Marie Curie actions (people programme)
- research for the benefit of small business (SMEs) (capacities programme)
- space and security research (cooperation programme)
Governance
Legal basis and governance of the Research Executive Agency
Plans and reports
Commission work programme – overview of institution-wide deliverables for current year
Annual activity report – department achievements, resources used during previous year
Annual work programme – budget line for certain policies and funding programmes for current year
Annual budgets - overview of the annual operating budgets and accounts
Related links
Working for the Research Executive Agency
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Directorate-General for Education and Culture
Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology
Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development
Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs