teresa lago scientific council the european research council lisboa, 19th january 2007

Teresa LagoScientific Council

The European Research Council

Lisboa, 19th January 2007

European Research Council

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1. European Research Council

2. Organisation & Management

3. Objectives & Strategy

4. Activities & Grant Schemes

5. Evaluation & Selection

6. Calls & Budget Summary 2007-2013

OverviewOverview


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ERC: The FP7 ERC: The FP7 IdeasIdeas Specific Specific ProgrammeProgramme

A new “institution”

Which is part of the “family” of FP7: Co-operation IdeasIdeas People Capacities

Complementary to other FP7 support to targeted research


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The FP7 “Ideas” ProgrammeThe FP7 “Ideas” ProgrammeEuropean Research CouncilEuropean Research Council

Creates the European Research Council - ERC - a pan-European funding organisation designed to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through support to investigator-initiated frontier research across all fields, on the basis of scientific excellence.

ERC will complement other funding schemes in Europe such as those of research funding agencies operating at the national level and those within the Seventh Framework Programme.


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The FP7 “Ideas” ProgrammeThe FP7 “Ideas” ProgrammeEuropean Research CouncilEuropean Research Council BudgetBudget

Budget (2007-2013) : 7.51 billion € (around 15% of FP7 budget)

Average budget: ~1 billion €/year, but non-constant

1st year (2007) ~ 300 million €

2nd year (2008) ~ 550 million €

3rd year (2009) ~ 1 billion €


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Boost European excellence in frontier research

by investing in the best researchers and ideas through competition at European level on the basis of excellence as the sole criterion raising incentives towards quality and aspirations of individual researchers

providing benchmarks and leverage towards broader (structural) improvements in European research

European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilStrategic AimsStrategic Aims


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilOrganisationOrganisation

The ERC consists of

The Scientific Council (ScC)Independent scientific governance

The Executive Agency (EA)Practical implementation and management of operations

(European Commission guarantees autonomy, integrity and accountability and provides the financial means)


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilThe Scientific CouncilThe Scientific Council Members & RoleMembers & Role

• Members: reflecting the full scope of European research and scholarship

proposed by an independent identification committee appointed by the Commission (for 4 years, renewable

once)

• Role Establishes overall scientific strategy Establishes annual work programmes (including calls for

proposals and evaluation criteria); Defines peer review methodology; ensures selection and

accreditation of experts; Controls quality of scientific operations and management Ensures communication with the scientific community


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilTheThe Scientific CouncilScientific Council

The Scientific Council 22 members elected One Chair: Prof. Fotis Kafatos

Two Vice-Chairs:

Prof. Helga Nowotny

Dr. Daniel Estève

+ Regular plenary meetings (every 1-2 months)

+ Secretariat of the ScC(Directorate S)


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilThe Executive AgencyThe Executive Agency

Executes annual work programme

as established by the Scientific Council

Implements calls for proposalsand provides information and support to applicants

Organises peer review evaluation

Establishes and manages grant agreements

Administers scientific and financial aspectsand follow-up of grant agreements

The Executive Agency will be legally established within the first trimester of 2007 and is expected to be fully operational by mid-2008. Meanwhile a Dedicated Implementation Structure (DIS) is in place.


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research Council The Secretary-GeneralThe Secretary-General

The Scientific Council appointed a Secretary General

Role to ensure the integrated operation of ERC to monitor the implementation of the Scientific Council’s

strategy and position as executed by the dedicated implementation structure

Prof. Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker(Jan 2007 – June 2009)

Prof. Andreu Mas-Colell(July 2009 – Dec 2011)


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Prof. Fotis KafatosERC PresidentChair of the ScC

Prof. Helga NowotnyDr. Daniel EsteveERC Vice-PresidentsVice-Chairs of ERC ScC

Prof. Ernst-Ludwig WinnackerERC Secretary-GeneralDr. Jack MettheyDirector of ERC DIS(EC RTD Directorate S)

European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilThe BoardThe Board


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European Research Council Management Structure

Scientific Council

Commission (Directorate S): the “interim” structure responsible for the implementation and management of ERC operations in the period until the ERC Executive Agency is established.

Unit S.1Strategic mattersand relations with the Scientific Council

•Provides secretariat of the ERC Scientific Council

•Prepares ERC strategy and work programme under guidance of the ScC

•Communicates and reports on ERC activities and achievements

Unit S.2Management of the “Ideas” Programme

•Manages ERC operations related to proposal submission and evaluation

•Establishes peer review evaluation panels under guidance of the ScC

•Provides scientific support to grant preparation and follow-up

Unit S.3Logistical support for the ERC

•Prepares legislation for the establishment of the ERC Executive Agency (ERC EA)

•Develops ERC EA internal operational processes

•Manages ERC resources, incl, staff recruitment, logistics

ERC Board

Unit S.4Administration and finance

•Manages financial circuits and budgetary operations

•Prepares and administers ERC grant agreements

•Ensures accountability to Court of Auditors

Secretary General


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Challenges for research in Europe Challenges for research in Europe (I)(I)

Dropping research performance, low visibility US scientists dominate in many areas

(many more high impact publications)

Dropping private R&D investments 1.93% of Europe’s GDP is invested in R&D compared with

2.59% in US and 3.15% in Japan (European Commission, July 2005)

industrial R&D is moving abroad

Fragmentation of research and funding activities duplication of research in Europe due to high number of

Research Institutions (UNESCO Science Report, 2005)

lack of competition and visibility


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Challenges for research in Europe Challenges for research in Europe (II)(II)

Limited career opportunities in Europe(especially for young researchers)

more promising career opportunities elsewhere

brain drain to other professions or countries

Complex Administration not helping to attract/maintain the best researchers


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilThe Scientific CouncilThe Scientific CouncilStrategy & ActivitiesStrategy & Activities

R3 strategy: Retain – Regain – Recruit

Favour “brain gain” and “reverse brain drain”

Keep (young) researchers in Europe: improve career opportunities and independence, especially for young researchers

ERC Starting Grant to attract & retain the next generation of independent research leaders

Increase competition, recognition and international visibility for excellent individual scientists and scholars in Europe

ERC Advanced Grant to attract & reward established independent research leaders


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilThe Scientific Council The Scientific Council Guiding PrinciplesGuiding Principles

All fields of science and scholarship are eligible• investigator-driven, bottom-up

Excellence is the only valid criterion• individual team + research project

Independent individual teams in Europe• nationality of researchers is not relevant

• host organisation to be located in EU or AS

Investment in research talent• flexible Grants, under the control of the Principal Investigator

ERC Work Programme 2007 http://erc.europa.eu


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European Research Council GrantsEuropean Research Council GrantsPrinciplesPrinciples

application in response to calls for proposals

up to 5 years

two-step application procedure (due to large number of expected applications)

ERC peer review evaluation panels select proposals to be funded and applicable budgets


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilGrant SchemesGrant Schemes

Two grant schemes are available:

ERC Starting Independent Researcher Grant (ERC Starting Grant) 1st call for proposals published, deadline 25 April

2007

ERC Advanced Investigator Researcher Grant (ERC Advanced Grant) 1st call for proposals to be published later in 2007


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Starting GrantERC Starting Grant

support researchers at the start of their independent research career and establishment of their first independent research team or first research programme

provide a structure for transition from working under a supervisor to an independent research leader

~ 100 – 400 K€ per grant, per year

for up to 5 years, i.e. ~ 0.5 - 2 M€ per Grant

~ 300M€ per call (~ ⅓ of ERC annual budget); 1st call 2007; 2nd call 2009, one call per year from then on

~ 200 Starting Grants per year, ~1 200 Starting Grants over 7 years of FP7 (2007-2013)


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Starting GrantERC Starting Grant RequirementsRequirements

PI 2-9 years since completion of PhD: Special circumstances will be taken into account, such as maternity/paternity leave, military/civil service (+2 years max.)

PI and team members Any nationality One ERC Grant per investigator only may be active at any one time

Hosting institution Located in a EU member state or associated country Intra-European grant portability allowed


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Advanced Grant ERC Advanced Grant

Designed to support excellent investigator-initiated research projects by established independent researchers

Complement the ERC Starting Grant scheme by targeting researchers who have already established their independence as team leaders

~ 100 - 500 k€ per grant, per year

for up to 5 years, i.e. ~ 0.5 - 2.5 m€ per grant

~ 600 m€ per call (~ ⅔ of ERC annual budget, annual calls)

~ 300 Advanced Grants per year from 2008 onwards


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Individual Research Teams:

headed by a single “Principal Investigator” (team leader)

of any nationality

additional team members, if necessary.

The “Principal Investigator” has the freedom to choose the research topic and the power to assemble his/her research team meeting the needs of the project.

Teams can be of national or trans-national character.

ERC Grants Schemes “Guide for Applicants” to be published in January 2007 http://erc.europa.eu

European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Grants ERC Grants Who can apply ? Who can apply ?


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Grants ERC Grants European and International TeamsEuropean and International Teams

Ideas (ERC specific programme) encourages participation of researchers from European and non-European countries

Level of participation varies with regard to roles and funding

Roles: Principal Investigator + hosting organisation

Can be of any nationality But: PI’s host organisation needs to be established in EU Member States or Associated Countries, or be a international European Interest Organisation (such as ESO, CERN, EMBL, etc.) or the JRC

Team Members Can be of any nationality and established in almost any country

International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC) Industrialised Countries, e.g. Australia, Canada, Japan, USA


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Starting Grants ERC Starting Grants Submission of ProposalsSubmission of Proposals

Pre-registration (via EPSS) (indication of number of proposals /area)

Two-step application procedure (to limit risk of oversubscription)

1st stage - Outline Proposal: max 8 Pages 2nd stage – Full Proposal: max 16 Pages

Proposal Components CV + self-evaluation + funding ID (3/4 pages) Description of research project (4/10 pages) Description of scientific environment + resources (1/2

pages)

Electronic Submission only (via EPSS)


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20 high level transversal panels in 3 domains • Physical Sciences and Engineering (8 panels)• Biological and Life Sciences (7 panels)• Social and Human Sciences (5 panels)

Two stages evaluation Coherence across research domains and fields Forward-looking approach Multidisciplinary projects appraised by appropriate panels

Quality monitored by ERC Scientific Council

European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Grants ERC Grants Peer Review EvaluationPeer Review Evaluation


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Each panel consists of one panel chair and 10 panel members

Panel Chair oversees evaluation process for the proposals assigned to her/his panel in collaboration with ERC staff

A pool of referees is used for remote evaluation (2nd stage)

Panel Chair gives high level stamp of credibility and visibility to the whole evaluation process

Scientific Council has full authority over decisions

ERC Guide for Peer Reviewers http://erc.europa.eu

European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Grants ERC Grants Panel StructurePanel Structure


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Allocation to Panels

Reading and Assessment by Panel members

Panel meetings

Proposals retained for stage 2

Proposals submitted

Reading by Remote Referees

Proposals resubmitted

Interview of PI

Panel meetings

Panel chairs meetings

Proposals selected

European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Starting GrantERC Starting Grant Submission, Evaluation and Selection ProcessSubmission, Evaluation and Selection Process


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilERC Grants ERC Grants Evaluation criteriaEvaluation criteria

Scientific Excellence is the sole criterionScientific Excellence is the sole criterion

1. Potential of Principal Investigator

2. Quality of research project

3. Research Environment and Resources

Referees and panels evaluate and score criteria under 1. and 2. numerically which will result in the ranking of the Projects;Criteria 3. will be considered as "pass/fail" and commented but not scored.


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ERC covers all fields of science, engineering and scholarship

For operational reasons the Scientific Council agreed on 3 main scientific domains:

─ Physical Sciences & Engineering

─ Biological & Life Sciences

─ Social Sciences and Humanities

The 1st call budget for ERC Starting Grants has been pre-allocated to these areas as follows:

45%; 40%; 15%

European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilStarting GrantsStarting Grants Budget AllocationBudget Allocation


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European Research Council European Research Council Grant Agreement ConceptGrant Agreement Concept

Agreement between ERC and PI’s hosting organisation (beneficiary)• Rights/obligations on scientific, financial, ethical

conduct and monitoring, eligible costs, IPR, modifications, grant portability

Supplementary Agreement between PI and its hosting organisation• Rights/obligations: administration, project execution,

IPR Single grant holder approach

• PI and members from same organisation• But: multi-partner/multi-national teams are possible

There will be no “project negotiations”• Grant agreement based on the proposal and the peer

review decision (budget)• PI can accept/reject the offered grant

ERC Grant Agreement http://erc.europa.eu


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilGrantsGrantsKey Principles

Financially Attractive• to attract the very best researchers

Flexible in application• Easy to adjust during execution• Portability

Administration simple and transparent• Preparation of grant agreements without

“negotiations”• Short annual reports plus detailed final

report


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ERC budget 2007-2013ERC budget 2007-2013SummarySummary

Total (FP7 Ideas budget): 7.51 billion € ≈1/3 Starting Grants, ≈ 2/3 Advanced Grants Less than 5% for operational ERC management

1st Call Starting Grant only, call deadline 25th April 2007 289.5 m€ (2007 budget) Budget allocated to three areas (for operational

reasons)

2nd Call Advanced Grants only, August 2007 550 m€ (2008 budget)

3rd call onwards Starting Grants + Advanced Grants ≈ 1 b€/year


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The first home for the European The first home for the European Research CouncilResearch Council

• Madou Plaza – Tour Madou, Brussels

• 2 dedicated floors (5th/6th)• 140 work places• 5 meeting rooms• 1 auditorium (192 seats)


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European Research CouncilEuropean Research CouncilTheThe Scientific CouncilScientific Council

http://erc.europa.eu

teresa lago scientific council the european research council lisboa, 19th january 2007

Documents

scope of european research

european level

scientific council implements

targeted research slide

highest quality research

research funding agencies

boost european excellence

teresa lago scientific