Europe bids for the world's best scientists

Research organisations from fifteen European nations are collaborating to entice the world's best young research scientists to work in Europe in a bid to strengthen further the European science base. The European Young Investigators awards (EURYI) will allow 25 outstanding researchers from anywhere in the world to develop their research at participating European institutions.

The awards are valued at up to 250 thousand Euro per year each (about £175,000) and will last for five years. The first Call for Proposals for EURYI is issued today [15th September 2003]. In the UK, both the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are participating., ,The scheme is the brainchild of The European Heads of Research Councils [EuroHORCS] together with the European Science Foundation. The EURYI awards are designed to fund the most outstanding young researchers from Europe and the rest of the world with the aim of developing the next generation of European scientists and securing Europe's future at the forefront of cutting edge research and technology., ,Commenting on the initiative Prof. Ian Halliday, Chief Executive of PPARC said," The EURYI awards have an emphasis on the excellence and quality both of the individual researcher and the area of research itself. Getting the very best in the world into European institutions can make a major contribution to strengthening the European research area." , ,Halliday added," A five year period in which to pursue your own research with nearly a £1m budget must be attractive to any up and coming young researcher. But aspiring scientists will find the competition tough - both at national level and then at European level - only the most outstanding will win through"., ,EPSRC Chief Executive John O'Reilly endorsed Halliday's remarks and added, "This initiative provides a unique opportunity for outstanding individuals to establish, at an early stage in their career, substantial world-class research teams in Europe"., ,Fifteen European nations are taking part across a broad range of research subjects including physical, medical, biological and social sciences. Each nation will shortlist the best applicants at national level that will then be considered in a pan European competition, with twenty five awards starting in October 2004., ,The EURYI awards will enable researchers from anywhere in the world (including those already in the UK) with between two and ten years post-doctoral research experience to bid for funds to do research in EPSRC and PPARC areas. UK researchers can alternatively apply to other participating organisations to do research in one of the other nations.
,NOTES FOR EDITORS:, ,The main selection criteria to be used by EURYI Awards will be scientific quality, originality and potential. The EURYI Awards shall foster innovative research, novel scientific problems and/or novel methodologies. Applicants should have an excellent track record with the potential to become world class leaders in their respective field of research. , ,Applicant eligibility,Open to researchers from anywhere in the world who have between 2 and up to 10 years of postdoctoral experience at the closing date of the call, taking into account career breaks., ,Award characteristics,* The applicant is responsible for agreeing suitable arrangements with a host institution before submitting an application.,* The award will last for a 5-year period, subject to satisfactory progress.,* The total value of an award will range from 750 to 1250k EURO (150 to 250 k EURO per year).,* Eligible costs will be based on existing practices within the participating organisation.,* Awards will be subject to the terms and conditions of the participating organisation through which the EURYI application is submitted.,* A complete list of participating organisations can be found at http://www.esf.org/euryi
Web link for further details,http://www.pparc.ac.uk/Rs/Fs/Fw/Lettr/EURYIFell.asp ,Participating nations:,Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
,Images, ,Professor Ian Halliday FRSE FinstP,Chief Executive, PPARC,
For copies of an image of Professor Ian Halliday FRSE PinstP Chief Executive, PPARC please contact Mark Wells on e-mail: [e-mail],
Contacts, ,PPARC Press Office:,Julia Maddock,Tel: [phone],E-mail: [e-mail], ,EPSRC Press Office:,Jane Reck,Tel: [phone],E-mail: [e-mail],
The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) is the UK's strategic science investment agency. It funds research, education and public understanding in four broad areas of science - particle physics, astronomy, cosmology and space science. , ,PPARC is government funded and provides research grants and studentships to scientists in British universities, gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK, membership of international bodies such as CERN,the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, the European Space Agency and the European Southern Observatory. It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility.