First ERA Chairs to boost research excellence in 11 regions

Eleven universities and technical institutes in less developed regions of Europe are to receive up to €2.4m each in EU funding to boost their research capacity. The funding will see the appointment of the first ever ERA Chairs.

The initiative aims to bridge Europe’s innovation divide by attracting top academics to organisations which can then better compete with centres of excellence elsewhere in the European Research Area (ERA).

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, said: “The response to the first ERA Chairs call was enormous. It showed there is a real desire among research organisations across Europe to raise their game. I want to make sure that no one with potential is left behind, so Horizon 2020 will provide funding for more ERA Chairs in places where they are needed the most.”

The first pilot call was open to research organisations located in less-developed EU regions or similar areas in countries associated to the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme. A total of 111 proposals were submitted for evaluation, exceeding expectations. Nearly all member states with eligible regions were represented.

Once recruited, the ERA Chairs and their teams will undertake research in a wide spectrum of scientific fields, such as aquaculture, environmental chemistry, veterinary medicine, human computer interactions and low carbon emission in cities.

Around 15 more ERA Chairs are expected to be announced in 2015.