The importance of public procurement as a driver of innovation has been clearly recognised in EU innovation policy. In the context of the development of a new European Research and Innovation policy under the Europe 2020 strategy, the Commission is considering possible new approaches to strengthening public procurement of innovation. The feasibility study should examine: the potential barriers and benefits for procurement authorities to undertake procurements of innovative solutions, including pre?commercial procurements; how such barriers could be overcome and benefits enhanced through EU support; and how an EU support scheme could be designed to maximise benefits and EU added value.