Expert group assesses potential of competitive basic research funding in Europe
The high level expert group (HLEG) on 'Maximising the wider benefits of competitive basic research funding at European level' has started work on its report on the potential impacts of establishing a European Research Council (ERC). The report will be delivered to the European Commission in December. The group was created following a decision by the Commission to investigate the probable merits of a European Research Council, particularly in terms of boosting excellence in basic research. Dr William Harris, Director-General of Science Foundation Ireland, will chair the group. The group's final report, along with other reports and the Commission's communication on 'science and technology, keys to the future of Europe', will contribute to the debate on the future of European research and the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), proposals for which are expected to be published in early 2005. Among the issues to be assessed by the group are: the benefits of attracting the best research teams in Europe; attracting this talent; integration between national and European research systems; researchers' propensity to innovate and commercialise their knowledge; the visibility of excellent teams to industry on a European scale. The group brings together experts from academia, industry and research institutes from 13 EU Member States, as well as one from the US.