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7th Framework Programme

“Ideas”

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Basic research has an important impact on economic performance

Europe is not making the most of its research capabilities

A new funding mechanism is needed at European level

to reinforce excellencebased on competitive support to individual teamssole criterion for selection should be scientific excellence

European added value through impact of Europe-scale funding

*Europe and Basic Research, January 2004, COM(2004)9; following Mayor Expert Group Report

The background*

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Investigator-driven research

All areas of science and technology

Excellence through competition

Scientific autonomy

Minimal bureaucracy

The basic concepts

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Cooperation - thematic research areas

Ideas - frontier research (ERC)

People - human resources

Capacities:

Infrastructures SMEs Regions of knowledge Research potential Science in society

FP7 (2007-13) – Building the Europe of knowledge

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Key principles for FP7 implementation:

Flexibility (with continuity)

Rationalisation (better balance between risks and controls)

Coherence, consistency and user-friendliness

Simplification

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Financial Perspectives 2007-13: Commission proposal for new budget structure for growth

A necessary precondition to meet the ambitions of FP7

Research to grow from € 5 bn to € 10 bn per year

ERC = € 1.5 bn (average)

A doubled budget for research

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Frontier research

Support to individual teams, to promote excellence through Europe-wide competition

Dedicated implementation structure (Executive Agency)

Independent scientific governance (Scientific Council)

Simplified grant mechanism

The “Ideas” programme in theFP7 proposal

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Commission “Guidelines” communication, published in June 2004

Favourable responses from:

Council of Ministers, Presidency conclusions November 2004

European Parliament (Locatelli) resolution March 2005

Economic and Social Committee, Committee of Regions

State of play in the political debate

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A new term is needed to avoid outmoded distinctions:

Between “basic” and “applied” research

Between “science” and “technology”

Between “traditional” disciplines

“Frontier research” reflects the concern to go beyond these categories, and also to promote new and emerging, high risk research

Why “frontier research”

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European added value through Europe-wide competition:

Encouraging and supporting the finest talent

Selecting the most promising research areas

Giving European visibility to research leaders

Catalysing the creation of a more efficient European research system

Individual teams

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Autonomous (independent of political interest)

Efficient (low bureaucracy)

But also….

Accountable (scientific, financial)

Feasible

Executive agency; possible Article 171 structure later

Implementation requirements

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Implementation structure ERC – European Research Council

Commission

* Created by Commission decision * * Under the responsibility of the Commission

• Preparation of work programme

• Set up of peer review: pool of reviewers, nomination of review panels, evaluation guidelines

• Oversight of the evaluation procedure

• Annual scientific report

• Information and support to applicants

• Reception / eligibility of proposals

• Organisation and execution of evaluation

• Selection decision

• Scientific and financial follow-up of contracts

• Annual implementation report

• Approval of work programme, as defined by the Scientific Council

• Instruction to implement work programme

• Approval of annual implementation report

• Information to programme committee

Scientific Council*

Externalised tasks (exec agency)**

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Independent; respected personalities, reflecting the full scope of European research

Responsible for scientific strategy, oversight and guarantee of quality in scientific decision-making

Prior to FP7 decision, would act as advisory body in the development of the “Ideas” programme

ERC Scientific Council

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Mandate to identify members of a future ERC Scientific Council

Independent group, outstanding scientists and scholars

Consulting the scientific community

Interim report published 21 March

ERC Identification Committee

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Frontier Research grant: Key principles

An investment in research and research leaders:

• Financially attractive

• Administratively simple

• Flexible in application

• Transparent

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Frontier research grant: a scenario

Financing model - two options:

• flat rate approach: not cost-based, therefore simplified system for accounting

• cost-based approach (100% direct costs)

Contractual aspects: “grant not contract”

Reporting requirements: must reflect nature of scientific research, not project micromanagement

Payments structure: for regular and efficient project financing

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Excellence and transparency are key principles

Permanent pool of accredited peer reviewers needed (= Europe’s best scientists and scholars)

High throughput, quasi-continuous processes may be necessary

Scientific Council should set parameters and oversee the process

Peer review process

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2005 April FP7 proposal

June Identification committee namesDecision on financial perspective?

Sept Specific programme proposal Rules of participation proposal

Autumn Scientific Council starts work

2006 Decision on FP7 Decision on Agency structure

2007 Funding starts

Timetable (provisional)

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Further information

Basic research website:Basic research website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/basic_researchhttp://europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/basic_research

ERC Identification committee:ERC Identification committee:

rtd-erc@cec.eu.intrtd-erc@cec.eu.int