planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge, with the objective that such knowledge may be useful in developing new products, processor services, or in bringing about a significant improvement to existing products, processes or services
Subsidies for research activities conducted by firms or by higher education or research establishments on a contract basis with firms shall not be subject to countervailing measures, if the subsidies cover not more than 75% of the costs of industrial research or 50% of the costs of pre-competitive development activity ...