Bourguignon joins committee debate on EU R&D policy
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Bourguignon joins committee debate on EU research and development policy

The president of the European Research Council (ERC) is set to deliver an address to a committee of the German Bundestag.

Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon will make his speech to the Committee of Education, Research and Technology Assessment. During the exchange, the MPs will discuss the role of the European Research Council, as well as the national strategy for the European Research Area.

The European Commission’s deputy director general for research and innovation, Dr Wolfgang Burtscher, and the president of the German Rectors’ Conference, Professor Dr Horst Hippler, are also invited to talk during this session. The speeches will be followed by a Q&A session with members of the committee.

Ahead of his address, Bourguignon said: “I am honoured to be invited to participate in this session in the Bundestag in Berlin, the city where the ERC was inaugurated over eight years ago. It signals that the ERC is recognised as a first-rate research funding organisation that helps make Europe more attractive to top talent.

“Since 2007, the ERC has supported 5,000 top researchers, contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of scientists working in Europe and boosting job creation in the EU research and innovation sector. We will celebrate this milestone next week in Brussels.”

Other topics due to be discussed at the meeting include the European higher education area and the European Fund for Strategic Investments.