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Research and development (R&D)

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Definition

Research and development work has been defined and codified by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) responsible for ensuring the comparability of information between the member countries of the organisation (Frascati Manual, 2002).
Such work encompasses creative work systematically undertaken to increase the sum of knowledge including knowledge of mankind, culture and society, and the use of that sum of knowledge for new applications.

The work covers exclusively the following activities :

- basic research (undertaken either for its pure scientific interest - free basic research - or to make a theoretical contribution to the resolution of technical problems - oriented basic research) ;
- applied research, aimed at finding possible applications for the results of basic research or at finding new solutions making it possible to reach an objective chosen in advance ;
- experimental development, based on knowledge obtained through research or practical experience, undertaken by means of a prototype or pilot installations, in order to launch new products, establish new processes or bring about a substantial improvement in existing processes and products.