ERC meets in Slovakia
Members of the European Research Council’s (ERC) governing body are gathering for a second day of talks in the Slovakian capital. The Scientific Council will agree the ERC’s work programme for 2014, as part of Horizons 2020.
The meeting in Bratislava is being hosted by the country’s Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport; the Slovak Organisation for Research and Development Activities has also assisted with organisation of the event. The ERC hopes that by the meeting in Central Europe, this will encourage greater participations in the EU’s research and innovation programmes from the region.
Speaking at the meeting in Slovakia, Professor Helga Nowotny, ERC President said: “For the ERC Scientific Council, it is important to meet the Slovak scientific community and policy makers, as we are convinced that scientific talent exists everywhere in Europe. It is a matter of fostering it. The first ERC grantee in this country is a step in the right direction and will surely serve as inspiration for many more.
“I would like to encourage Slovakia to further invest in R&D and to continue creating the conditions in which talent can flourish,” Nowotny continued. “At this Bratislava meeting, the Scientific Council will set the strategy for 2014. This will be the first year of the new Horizon 2020 programme. We will build on the success that the ERC has had so far, but with the hope of widening participation for the many talented researchers to follow their aspiration”.
The 2014 ERC work programme will define the strategy for the body’s funding schemes, provide information on its research activities for the coming year, as well detailing of ERC’s calls during Horizon 2020.
