1. A multiannual framework programme, setting out all the activities of the Union, shall be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, after consulting the Economic and Social Committee. The framework programme shall: — establish the scientific and technological objectives to be achieved by the activities provided for in Article 180 and fix the relevant priorities, — indicate the broad lines of such activities, — fix the maximum overall amount and the detailed rules for Union financial participation in the framework programme and the respective shares in each of the activities provided for. 2. The framework programme shall be adapted or supplemented as the situation changes. 3. The framework programme shall be implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity. Each specific programme shall define the detailed rules for implementing it, fix its duration and provide for the means deemed necessary. The sum of the amounts deemed necessary, fixed in the specific programmes, may not exceed the overall maximum amount fixed for the framework programme and each activity. 4. The Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee, shall adopt the specific programmes. (Article 182 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union)

Objectives The Agency is responsible for carrying out the implementation of the tasks for the management of the Ideas Specific Programme (see Council Decision 2006/972/EC) under the Seventh Framework Programme for Union research FP7 (2007-2013), as adopted by Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Tasks Within the Ideas Specific Programme, under the Seventh Framework Programme for Union Research, the Agency is responsible for the following tasks (see Commission Decision C(2008) 5694 of 8 October 2008): (a) collect, process and distribute data, and in particular compile, analyse and transmit to the Commission and the Scientific Council all information required to guide implementation of the Ideas Specific Programme as well as policy development in the field of frontier research, and assist the Commission and the Scientific Council in establishing contacts with other programmes of the Union, the Member States or international organisations; (b) contribute to the evaluation by the Commission of the impact of the programme and to the monitoring of the effects of the measures taken; (c) carry out studies and assessments, in particular in support of the Commission annual report on the ERC operations and achievement of the objectives of the Ideas Specific Programme as well as the mid-term evaluation of implementation of the programme, and contribute to the preparation and implementation of follow-up action on evaluations, with a view to transmitting them to the Scientific Council and the Commission; (d) prepare draft recommendations for the Scientific Council and the Commission on implementation of the Ideas Specific Programme and its future development; (e) plan and implement information, communication and dissemination actions; (f) participate in preparatory work on Commission specific financing decisions relating to the Ideas Specific Programme.

1 — Steering Committee Five members appointed by the European Commission. Adopts the Agency’s annual work programme after approval by the European Commission, the administrative budget of the Agency and its annual activity report. 2 — Scientific Council of the ERC The Scientific Council of the ERC is entrusted by virtue of Council Decision 2007/134/EC with establishing a scientific strategy for the Ideas Specific Programme, deciding on the type of research to be funded in accordance with Article 6(6) of Decision 2006/972/EC and acting as a guarantor of the quality of the activity from a scientific perspective. Its tasks cover, in particular, the establishment of the annual work programme for the Ideas Specific Programme, and of the peer review process, as well as the monitoring and quality control of the implementation of the Specific Programme ‘Ideas’, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Commission. 3 — Director Appointed by the European Commission for 4 years. 4 — External audit Court of Auditors 5 — Discharge authority Parliament, following a recommendation from the Council.

Budget The Agency’s administrative budget for 2009 totalled 14,4 million euro. Staff at 31 December 2009 On 31 December 2009, the Agency employed 262 staff members: — 93 temporary staff (13 seconded and 80 external), — 162 contract staff, — 7 seconded national experts.