The European Research Council (ERC) Has Been Given a Budget of 7.5bn Euros to 2013
European research goes for gold
By Jonathan Amos
Science reporter, BBC News, Berlin
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/sci/tech/6399157.stm
Europe has a new flagship agency to fund the brightest ideas in science.
The European Research Council (ERC) has been given a budget of 7.5bn euros (£5bn) to 2013, and will focus solely on fundamental, or “blue skies”, study.
It is hoped the initiative can find the breakthrough thinking - and eventually new products and services - to keep the EU’s economy globally competitive.
The ERC was formally inaugurated at a meeting in Berlin attended by the German Chancellor, Dr Angela Merkel.
She said the Council would become “a champion’s league for research”, giving scientists the freedom to be creative and innovative.
“We know that research and new technologies can be driving motors for a new economic dynamic, they can even provide a basis for growth in Europe, for keeping and increasing our prosperity and competitiveness,” she observed.
“We expect those who work in the research areas selected by the ERC will fulfil their potential.”
Please read the entire article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/sci/tech/6399157.stm.