2. 1 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS Frontier Research in the next Framework Programme Dr Gianpietro van de Goor European Commission, DG.RTD.B1

3. 2 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS l l Funding of “Emerging Needs” in the nine FP7 Thematic Research Areas  ADVENTURE, INSIGHT, PATHFINDER actions  FP7 Specific Programme COOPERATION l l Funding of Investigator-driven Frontier Research through the European Research Council/ERC  FP7 Specific Programme IDEAS The continuation of NEST-like funding in FP7

4. 3 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   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

5. 4 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS Main new elements compared to FP6: 7-year-programme (instead of 5-year) Annual budget doubled (EUR 5 billion ►10 billion) Frontier research (~ EUR 1.5 billion per year) Simplification of procedures Logistical and administrative tasks transferred to external structures FP7 (2007-13) What’s new?

6. 5 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   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 excellence based on competitive support to individual teams sole 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 Why a new European funding mechanism?

7. 6 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   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 Frontier Research: The European Challenge, April 2005; Report by the Frontier research High-level Expert Group European added value through Europe-wide competition

8. 7 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   Frontier research   Investigator-driven   All areas of science and technology   Support to individual teams, to promote excellence through Europe-wide competition   Independent scientific governance (Scientific Council)   Dedicated implementation structure (Executive Agency)   Simplified grant mechanism ERC - Basic concepts

9. 8 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   Autonomy (independence of extraneous interests)   Efficiency (lowest possible bureaucracy)   Necessary financial means (at programme and at project level)   Accountability (scientific, financial)   Feasibility (practical) ERC – Implementation Requirements

10. 9 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS A new understanding of basic research is needed to avoid outmoded distinctions:   between “basic” and “applied” research   between “science” and “technology”   between “traditional” disciplines The term “Frontier research” reflects:   going beyond these categories;   critical importance of basic research in science and technology to economic and social welfare;   intrinsically risky character of research at and beyond the frontiers of understanding;   absence of disciplinary boundaries. Why frontier research?

11. 10 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   Scientific Council (scientific autonomy)   Dedicated implementation structure (Executive Agency)   Assessment after three years   Possibility of reconstituting the ERC to different structure, i.e. under Article 171 ERC - Structural Components

12. 11 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   Names of SC founding members were announced on 18 July 2005 following an independent procedure carried out by the ERC Identification Committee   Independent; respected scientific personalities, reflecting the full scope of European research; acting in their personal capacity   Responsible for oversight and guarantee of quality in scientific decision-making   Prior to FP7 decision, would act as advisory body in the development of the Specific programme “Ideas”   Nominated by Commission’s decision ERC - Scientific Council (ERC SC)

13. 12 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS ERC SC – The 22 Founding Members Dr. Claudio BORDIGNON (IT) Prof. Manuel CASTELLS (ES) Prof. Dr. Paul J. CRUTZEN (NL) Prof. Mathias DEWATRIPONT (BE) Dr. Daniel ESTEVE (FR) Vice-Chair Prof. Pavel EXNER (CZ) Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim FREUND (DE) Prof. Wendy HALL (UK) Prof. Dr. Carl-Henrik HELDIN (SE) Prof. Dr. Fotis C. KAFATOS (GR) Chair Prof. Dr. Michal KLEIBER (PL) Prof. Norbert KROO (HU) Prof. Maria Teresa V.T. LAGO (PT) Dr. Oscar MARIN PARRA (ES) Prof Robert MAY (UK) Prof. Helga NOWOTNY (AT) Vice-Chair Prof. Christiane NÜSSLEIN-VOLHARD (DE) Dr. Leena PELTONEN-PALOTIE (FI) Prof. Alain PEYRAUBE (FR) Dr. Jens R. ROSTRUP-NIELSEN (DK) Prof. Salvatore SETTIS (IT) ) Prof. Dr.med. Rolf M. ZINKERNAGEL (CH)

14. 13 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   Establish overall scientific strategy   Ensure the preparation of the work programme (including calls for proposals, detailed criteria of excellence, …)   Define peer review methodology and evaluation procedures; ensure selection and accreditation of experts   Monitor quality of operations and evaluate programme implementation   Assure communication with the scientific community ERC SC - Tasks

15. 14 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   Execute work programme as established by the Scientific Council   Implement calls for proposals (information and support to applicants; proposal reception/eligibility check; etc.)   Organise peer review evaluation   Establish grant agreements, transfer funds   Administer scientific and financial aspects and follow-up of grant agreements ERC - Dedicated Implementation Structure (Executive Agency)

16. 15 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS   Adopts work programme as established by the Scientific Council   Ensures that implementation follows principles of autonomy   Guarantees the autonomy and integrity of the ERC   Programme Committee as “Double lock”   Reports on ERC operations to Council and European Parliament European Commission (EC)

17. 16 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS 2005 April 6thFP7 proposal July 18thScientific Council names Sept 21stSpecific programme proposal Oct 18thScientific Council starts work DecRules of participation proposal ???Decision on Financial perspectives 2006 Decisions on FP7  SPs  RoP Decision on Agency structure First calls for proposals 2007 Start of funding Timetable

18. 17 RTD.B.1/VAN DE GOOR/FP7 IDEAS Further information Basic research website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/future/basic_research/index_en.html