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FP7, IDEAS PROGRAMME

The Ideas programme is the first time an EU Framework research programme has funded pure, investigative research at the frontiers of science and technology,
independently of thematic priorities.

As well as bringing such research closer to the conceptual source, this flagship FP7 programme is a recognition of the value of basic research to society’s economic and social welfare.



The Ideas programme brings support to research activities carried out in any area of science or technology,
including engineering, socio-economic sciences and the humanities.



Projects can be submitted by individual, national or transnational teams of researchers. The European added-value of this programme is the competition of teams acting at European level. The programme will bring increased visibility and resources to the most performent.
Unlike the Cooperation programme, there is no obligationfor cross-border partnerships.



Financed Actions


The ERC Grants functionne on the bottom-up approach, which means at the initiaitive of the researchers. The proposed research projects are judged solely
on the basis of their excellence, as judged by peer review. It is
being implemented by the new European Research Council (ERC),
which consists of a Scientific Council (to plan scientific strategy,
establish the work programme, quality control and information
activities) and an implementing agency (administration, support
for applicants, proposal eligibility, grant management and practical organisation).



Particular emphases are being placed on emerging and fast-growing
fields at the frontiers of knowledge, and on cross-disciplinary
research.





ERC Starting grants



ERC Starting Grants aim to support young, up-and-coming researchers who are about to establish or consolidate an independent research team or to start conducting independent research in Europe that cannot be totally funded by their own research institution.

Two types of actions might be financed :
* creation of new independent teams
* reinforcing of independent teams that are creted recently




The grant between 100 000 and 400 000 euro can allocated for 5 years. The grant is allocated to the researcher, not to the research Institution. In this case a researcher may change from instution without loosing the grant.

Staff costs of researchers is eligible and equipment reimebursable at 100%.



Publication date of the calls : every year in August 2007, 2008, 2009 etc.
A massive 9167 proposals have been submitted by young researchers to this call for ERC Starting Independent Investigator Grants for the first call in April 2007.



ERC Advanced Grants



This grant is awarded to established top research leaders and will be launched in Automn 2007.

Publication date of the calls : September 2007, and every year in October.
More information will be available mid-2007
You can also consult the ERC web: www.erc.europa.eu

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