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Two new executive agencies to manage European research
Date2007-12-14
Two new agencies to manage projects funded under the EU's research framework programmes were created on 14 December.
The European Research Council Executive Agency will help to manage the projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC), established under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). It will be responsible for around €7 billion over the course of FP7 (2007 to 2013).
The Research Executive Agency will administer the Marie Curie fellowship schemes, research programmes designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and parts of the space and security research themes. The arrangement is particularly suited to these areas of FP7 as they involve large numbers of relatively small grants, and are unlikely to involve much policy input. The agency will manage funding of €6.5 billion.
The agencies are intended to improve the efficiency of research management by the European Commission, providing the best possible service to the European research community.
'These agencies are good news for European research,' said EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. 'Our aim is to make sure that as much of the Framework Programme as possible is dedicated to research. We already have one of the lowest levels of administrative expenditure internationally for a research programme. I have made it a priority to ensure that FP7 gives great service to the research community for less cost, and that as much money as possible can be used to finance research activities.'
Other FP7 measures intended to reduce the administrative burden include a reduction in reporting requirements, a new registration facility and a more streamlined computer system within the Commission.
The two agencies were proposed in the legal document establishing FP7, and were approved by both the Member States and the European Parliament in November. Both agencies will be based in Brussels.
Contact person:For further information, please visit:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/rea
Http://erc.europa.eu
Remarks:
Category:General policy
Data Source Provider:European Commission
Document of reference:Based on information from the European Commission
Subject index:Coordination, Cooperation,Scientific Research
Programme Acronym:
FP7-IDEAS-ERC
, FP7-PEOPLE
, FP7-SECURITY
, FP7-SME
, FP7-SPACE
Record control number (RCN):28853
