The European Research Council (ERC) is the independent body that funds investigator-driven frontier research in the European Union (EU). It is part of the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7).
The Council supports all disciplines, from the biological and physical sciences to engineering and the humanities. It was formally launched in February 2007 by a common action of the Commission, the Parliament and the Council. Created to provide a new source and philosophy for competitive funding, based on peer-reviewed excellence as the sole criterion for success, the ERC is aiming to set new standards and create a level playing field for research across a diverse continent of 500 million people in 39 countries with a collective economy of €15 trillion. The ERC is an inclusive institution that seeks excellence irrespective of nationality, gender, or location.
Read more about European Research Council: History, Governance & Structure, Budget, Founding Principles: Frontier Research Based On Peer-reviewed Excellence, Types of Grants Offered, Success Rates, ERC Peer Review, Relations With Stakeholders in Europe, Open Access, European Research Council: Domains and Panels, Lists of ERC Grants Awarded By Host Country
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