AbstractNearly four years ago, the CMEA devised a programme for future R&D to act as a stimulus for economie growth. Five priority areas were selected: electronics; automation; nuclear energy; new materials and technologies; and biotechnology. Major changes in procedure will be necessary to fulfill the called for bringing together of results from member states.In an open conference in September 1988 an attempt will he made to overcome the shortcomings highlighted in 1986, by using economic incentives and instituting a system of paying for exchange of R&D results. It is hoped that this examination of CMEA science can help illuminate the universal difficulties of science policy formulation.