This book provides an introduction to the history‎,‎ founding principles‎,‎ institutions‎,‎ and activities of the EU and an overview of the 25 member States‎.‎ It includes a detailed description of the EU policies on research‎,‎ innovation and technology by emphasizing common objectives of greater competitiveness and sustained ‎(‎and sustainable‎)‎ growth‎.‎ It also includes an analysis of EU policies that most closely govern research and innovation‎:‎ rules and initiatives concerning the creation of an internal market‎,‎ competitive policies‎,‎ and economic and monetary policies‎.‎ The text originates from courses taught at Georgia Technical Institute ‎(‎US‎)‎‎,‎ the University of Bologna ‎(‎Italy‎)‎‎,‎ and the University of Ferrara ‎(‎Italy‎)‎‎.‎ An Appendix includes distance‎-learning materials and a rich CD‎-ROM includes extended readings‎,‎ country‎-specific data‎,‎ and other materials for producing course notes and visuals‎.‎