The European Research Council, the first pan-European funding organisation to support research in all fields of science, has formaly launched its first call for proposals for young researchers (see ACA Newsletter - Education Europe, November 2006). The starting grants to young researchers establishing their first research teams can vary between 500 000 and 2 000 000 euros and span up to a five year period. In the following years, this Starting Independent Researcher Grant will be supplemented by the Advanced Investigator Grant Scheme, open to researchers at all career stages. The overall budget for this grant scheme is nearly 300 million euros in direct grants in 2007.

Deadline for applications: 25 April 2007
Proposals should be submitted through an electronic application tool, which will be available after mid-March. Expected are also modifications in the ERC work programme, guide for applicants and website. 

A conference takes place in Berlin on 27-28 February to officially inaugurate the ERC, whose formal act of establishment has been adopted by the European Commission. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commissioner for Reaseach Janez Potocnik will honor the ERC at this event.