Background: Despite much discussion about the aims, purposes and conceptual, political and practical complexities of linking research evidence to educational policy making, there is little research on the nature of such links. The research reported was part of a project funded by the Directorate for Education and Culture of the European Commission. Research questions: What framework can help us investigate the range and nature of research to policy linking activities in education in Europe; (ii) What is the range and nature of research to policy linking activities in education in Europe as understood by such a framework? Methods: (i) The development of a framework for the analysis of evidence to policy activities building on work of Walters et al (2002) and Levin (2004); (ii) A survey of project partners, ministries of education, and other key informants of research to policy linking activities. Conclusions: The results will be presented in terms of: (i) A conceptual framework consisting of an overarching model, a typology of activities linking research to education policy, and a typology of mechanisms by which the activities have their effect; (ii) The classification and analysis of the 260 research to policy activities in education in Europe.