Types of Research

Definitions according to the Frascati manual

Basic Research: Original analyses with the objective of adding to the current level of knowledge, not directed towards a specific goal. Applied Research: Original analyses with the objective of adding to the current level of knowledge, however in this case directed towards a specific, practical goal. Experimental Development: Systematic use of knowledge with the objective of producing new or significantly improved materials, equipment, products, processes or systems. Source

Definitions according to the EU framework for state aid

"Basic research" means experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any direct commercial application or use in view.

"Industrial research" means the planned research or critical investigation aimed at the acquisition of new knowledge and skills for developing new products, processes or services or for bringing about a significant improvement in existing products, processes or services. It comprises the creation of component parts of complex systems, and may include the construction of prototypes in a laboratory environment or in an environment with simulated interfaces to existing systems as well as of pilot lines, when necessary for the industrial research and notably for generic technology validation.

"Experimental development" means acquiring, combining, shaping and using existing scientific, technological, business and other relevant knowledge and skills with the aim of developing new or improved products, processes or services. This may also include, for example, activities aiming at the conceptual definition, planning and documentation of new products, processes or services.
Experimental development may comprise prototyping, demonstrating, piloting, testing and validation of new or improved products, processes or services in environments representative of real life operating conditions where the primary objective is to make further technical improvements to products, processes or services that are not substantially set.
This may include the development of a commercially usable prototype or pilot which is necessarily the final commercial product and which is too expensive to produce for it to be used only for demonstration and validation purposes.

Experimental development does not include routine or periodic changes made to existing products, production lines, manufacturing processes, services and other operations in progress, even if those changes may represent improvements.

Source: Framework for state aid for research and development and innovation (2014/C 198/1)


EU Definition

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