- On 21 September 2005 the European Commission approved its proposals for a Council decision concerning the Specific Programmes implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities: Cooperation, Ideas, People, Capacities and by the JRC, as well as research under the Euratom treaty including by the JRC.
 - The Commission identified six potential themes around which Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) could be established.
 - On 6 April 2005 the European Commission announced its proposals for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) 
for EU research, accompanied by a Communication, 'Building the ERA of  knowledge for growth' 
setting out the policy objectives.