The Network of EU-Funded Collaborative R&D Projects

Abstract

We describe collaboration networks consisting of research projects funded by the European Union and the organizations involved in those projects. The networks are of substantial size and complexity, but are important to understand due to the significant impact they could have on research policies and national economies in the EU. In empirical determinations of the network properties, we observe characteristics similar to other collaboration networks, including scale-free degree distributions, small diameter, and high clustering. We present some plausible models for the formation and structure of networks with the observed properties.

18 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables. Moderate extensions. Added description of some simulation results, and improved theoretical models. Included new figures to illustrate additions