An ERA-NET is a coordination activity funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme. National and regional ministries and funding organisations are able to participate in ERA-NET projects. The main objective of an ERA-NET is to provide a framework to network and mutually open national or regional research programs, leading to concrete cooperations such as the development and implementation of joint transnational calls. The ERA-NET activity complements the EU research programs. The EU Commission funds the networking activities and the management of the joint calls. However, the funding of the research activities resulting from the ERA-NET calls comes from the budgets of the regional and national partners involved in the ERA-NET.