Euro group calls for investment in frontiers research

A high-level expert group chaired by Dr William Harris, director general of Science Foundation Ireland, has called for the establishment of a European Research Council (ERC) to address weaknesses in European investment in Frontiers Research.

In its report to the European Commission, the group stated the establishment of an ERC would boost the quality of European science, helping to meet the broader challenges faced by European research.

Dr Harris, who was appointed chairman of the 13-strong group last year, said: “Europe does not perform particularly well in terms of truly outstanding research, nor is it mastering sufficiently quickly the new fast growing fields in which science and technology are often closely interlinked.

“Frontiers Research is at the leading edge of scientific discovery and involves taking risks. For Europe to successfully invest in Frontiers Research it needs a new funding structure and mechanism such as the ERC."