At its meeting of 4 February 2011, the European Council supported the concept of the common strategic framework for Union research and innovation funding to improve the efficiency of such funding at national and Union level and called on the Union to rapidly address remaining obstacles to attracting talent and investment in order to complete the ERA by 2014 and to achieve a genuine single market for knowledge, research and innovation.
Ag an gcruinniú an 4 Feabhra 2011, thacaigh an Chomhairle Eorpach le coincheap an chomhchreata straitéisigh maidir le cistiú taighde agus nuálaíochta an Aontais d'fhonn feabhas a chur ar éifeachtúlacht cistiúcháin den sórt sin ar leibhéal náisiúnta agus ar leibhéal an Aontais agus d'iarr sé ar an Aontas tabhairt faoi na bacainní atá fós ar thallann agus infheistíocht a mhealladh go tapa d'fhonn an Limistéar Eorpach Taighde a chur i gcrích faoin mbliain 2014 agus fíormhargadh aonair a bhaint amach don eolas, don taighde agus don nuálaíocht.