Four main objectives have been identified and correspond to four specific programmes that must structure the European research effort: the Cooperation Programme, the Ideas Programme, the People Programme and the Capacity Programme.
Au fost identificate patru obiective principale care corespund la patru programe specifice care trebuie să structureze efortul european de cercetare: programul "Cooperare”, programul "Idei”, programul "Oameni” şi programul "Capacitate”.