EU Launches European Research Council, New Funding Agency for Scientific Research

Yesterday in Berlin, the EU officially launched the European Research Council (ERC), the first Europe-wide funding agency for broad-based and cutting-edge scientific research. In his opening speech before an audience including government leaders and industry representatives from over 30 countries, EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik said that the agency would act as a "European ideas factory," receiving approximately one billion euros per year to support "research at the frontiers of science." The ERC enjoys independent scientific governance and will fund proposals submitted directly by researchers. The European Research Council is funded under the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme.

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