ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses and explains the emergence, forms and extent of the European Union's (EU's) external engagement in science and research. It has three objectives: it first evaluates EU actorness in science and research policy; second, it assesses the forms and extent of the EU's external engagement in science and research; and, third, it attempts to explain the emergence and evolution of that engagement. The chapter evaluates the degree of EU actorness in science and research policy in terms of opportunity, presence and capability. It shows that each component of actorness entails elements which are conducive to EU external engagement while also displaying factors which hamper it. The EU applies a 'diplomacy for science' approach, for instance, by actively contributing to global 'megascience' projects and multilateral programmes. The integration of science and research objectives and tools into EU external policies has its origins in the development cooperation with Africa.
