EERA brings together more than 160 research centres and universities. Actively working together on 17 joint research programmes, they build on national research initiatives. In a Joint Programme a research organisation join institutions in other European countries on shared priority setting and research projects. The EERA Joint Programmes are aligned with the priorities for low carbon technologies defined in the SET-Plan. EERA works together with European industrial platforms to align research and innovation priorities. This collaboration aims to foster world-class technology and innovation in Europe’s energy sector, while helping to reduce the time it takes for this technology to reach the market.
EERA Joint Programmes are important points of contact for collaboration outside Europe. EERA representatives regularly represent the EU scientific community in collaboration with the European Commission at events in Asia, USA and Brazil.

An EERA Joint Programme is created by interested organisations that define a joint research agenda for a topic included in the SET-Plan. The EERA JPs coordinate research based on the participating institutions own resources. In addition the JP can obtain supplementary funding from national or EU sources. The EERA Joint Programmes define key priorities in Europe for the different research areas. These priorities provide an important reference point for the EU research agenda and national priorities. Projects that are part of an EERA Joint Programme can communicate their results directly to the European research community. This ensures better coordination between on going and future projects.
The EERA JPs also produce high quality scientific reports and participants gather regularly for workshops and meetings to ensure a continuous exchange of knowledge.