2006/972/EC: Council Decision of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme: Ideas implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (Text with EEA relevance).
Date: 2006-12-19
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU programme, knowledge economy, research programme, research results, scientific research, technological change

30.12.2006 

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COUNCIL DECISION 

of 19 December 2006 

concerning the specific programme: "Ideas"  

implementing the Seventh Framework Programme  

of the European Community for research,  

technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)  

(Text with EEA relevance) 

(2006/972/EC) 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 166(4) 

thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament1, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee2, 

1 
2 

Opinion of 30 November 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). 
OJ C 185, 8.8.2006, p. 10. 

 
 
                                                 
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Whereas: 

(1) 

In accordance with Article 166(3) of the Treaty, Decision No 967/2006/EC of the 

European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 concerning the Seventh 

Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological 
development and demonstration activities, (2007-2013) 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the 

Framework Programme") is to be implemented through specific programmes that define 

detailed rules for their implementation, fix their duration and provide for the means 

deemed necessary. 

(2) 

The Framework Programme is structured in four types of activities: trans-national 

cooperation on policy-defined themes ("Cooperation"), investigator-driven research based 

on initiatives of the research community ("Ideas"), support of training and career 

development of researchers ("People"), and support of research capacities ("Capacities"). 

Activities under "Ideas" as regards indirect actions should be implemented by this Specific 

Programme. 

(3) 

This Specific Programme should follow an "investigator-driven" approach: it should 

support "frontier research" projects carried out by researchers on subjects of their choice. It 

should be implemented in a flexible and user-friendly manner, in a spirit of openness with 

respect to all the related actors, and taking account of relevant scientific practices. 

1 

OJ L 391, 30.12.2006. 

 
                                                 
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(4) 

Proposals for "frontier research" should be evaluated on the basis of the sole criterion of 

excellence as judged by peer review and should put the emphasis on inter- and 

multidisciplinary, high risk pioneering projects and new groups and new generation 

researchers as well as established teams. 

(5) 

This Specific Programme should be implemented according to the principles of scientific 

excellence, autonomy, efficiency, transparency, and accountability, by means of a 

European Research Council (ERC) consisting of an independent Scientific Council 

composed of scientists, engineers and scholars of the highest repute, representing the 

European research community in all its breadth and depth, supported by a lean and 

cost-effective dedicated implementation structure which would be set-up as an Executive 

Agency in accordance with Council Regulation No 58/2003 of 19 December 2002 laying 

down the statute for executive agencies to be entrusted with certain tasks in the 
management of Community programmes1. 

(6) 

The Commission should be responsible for the implementation of this Specific Programme 

and should act as the guarantor of the European Research Council's autonomy and 

integrity, as well as its functional efficacy. 

1 

OJ L 11, 16.1.2003, p. 1. 

 
                                                 
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(7) 

To guarantee the ERC's autonomy, the Commission should ensure that positions of the 

Scientific Council on the scientific orientation and aspects of programme implementation 

are respected, and that the dedicated implementation structure follows strictly, efficiently 

and with the necessary flexibility, the objectives and requirements of this Specific 

Programme. 

(8) 

To guarantee the ERC's integrity, the Commission should ensure that this Specific 

Programme is implemented in accordance with the objectives set. 

(9) 

The rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities and for the 

dissemination of research results, for the Framework Programme (hereinafter referred to as 

"the rules for participation and dissemination") should apply to this programme. 

(10) 

The Framework Programme should complement the activities carried out in the Member 

States as well as other Community actions that are necessary for the overall strategic effort 

for the implementation of the Lisbon objectives, alongside, in particular, those on 

structural funds, agriculture, education, training, culture, competitiveness and innovation, 

industry, health, consumer protection, employment, energy, transport and environment. 

(11) 

Implementation of the Framework Programme may give rise to supplementary 

programmes involving the participation of certain Member States only, the participation of 

the Community in programmes undertaken by several Member States, or the setting up of 

joint undertakings or other arrangements within the meaning of Articles 168, 169 and 171 

of the Treaty. 

 
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(12) 

As provided for under Article 170 of the Treaty, the Community has concluded a number 

of international agreements in the field of research and efforts should be made to 

strengthen international research cooperation with a view to further integrating the 

Community into the world-wide research community. Therefore, this Specific Programme 

should be open to the participation of countries having concluded agreements to this effect 

and should also be open on the project level, and on the basis of mutual benefit, to the 

participation of entities from third countries and of international organisations for scientific 

cooperation. 

(13) 

Research activities carried out within this programme should respect fundamental ethical 

principles, including those which are reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the 

European Union. 

(14) 

Sound financial management of the Framework Programme and its implementation should 

be ensured in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while ensuring legal 

certainty and the accessibility of the programme for all participants, in compliance with 

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial 
Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities1 and 
Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) 2342/20022 laying down detailed rules for the 

implementation of that Financial Regulation and any future amendments. 

1 
2 

OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. 
OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p.1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC, 
Euratom) No 1261/2005 (OJ L 201, 2.8.2005, p. 3). 

 
                                                 
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(15) 

Appropriate measures - proportionate to the European Communities' financial interests - 

should be taken to monitor both the effectiveness of the financial support granted and the 

effectiveness of the utilisation of these funds in order to prevent irregularities and fraud 

and the necessary steps should be taken to recover funds lost, wrongly paid or incorrectly 

used in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 
18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests1, 

Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning 

on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the 
European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities2 and 

Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning 
investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)3. 

(16) 

Since the measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision are essentially 

management measures, they should therefore be adopted by the advisory or management 

procedure provided for in Articles 3 and 4 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 

28 June 1999, laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers 
conferred on the Commission4. On the other hand, research involving the use of human 

embryos and human embryonic stem cells raises specific ethical issues, as described in 

Article 3 of this Decision, therefore, measures for the financing of such projects should be 

adopted by the regulatory procedure provided for in Article 5 of Decision 1999/468/EC. 

1 
2 
3 
4 

OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1. 
OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2. 
OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1. 
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 
22.7.2006, p. 11). 

 
                                                 
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(17) 

The implementation and management of the activity under this Specific Programme will be 

reviewed and evaluated on an on-going basis to assess its achievements and to adjust and 

improve procedures on the basis of experience. As regards the ERC structures and 

mechanisms, the mid term review of the Seventh Framework Programme, based on an 

independent review against the criteria of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency and 

transparency and with the full involvement of the Scientific Council, may show the need 

for further improvements necessitating appropriate amendments.  

(18) 

The "Ideas" Specific Programme should have its own budget line in the General Budget of 

the European Communities. 

(19) 

The importance of this Specific Programme is recognised as being an overall priority 

means to attain the objectives of excellence, management simplification and European 

added value in "frontier research" contributed by Community research in addition to the 

efforts already undertaken at national level. 

(20) 

It responds to the recommendations of the report by ERCEG1 set up by the Copenhagen 

European Council (November 2002), reiterated by successive Councils (November 2003, 

11 March 2004, 25-26 March 2004, 26 November 2004) and endorsed by the European 
Parliament2. This Specific Programme is in line with the Lisbon strategy and the European 

Council of Barcelona which set the target of raising European research efforts to 3 % of 

EU GDP. 

1 

2 

ERCEG – European Research Council Expert Group; The ERCEG was set up on the 
initiative of the Danish Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, during the Danish 
EU Presidency, December 2003. 
Report on Science and Technology Guidelines for future European Union Policy to support 
research, A6-0046/2005, 28.2.2005. 

 
                                                 
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(21) 

In the implementation of this Specific Programme adequate attention should be paid to 

gender mainstreaming, as well as to, inter alia, working conditions, transparency of 

recruitment processes, and career development as regards the researchers recruited on 

projects and programmes funded under the actions of this programme, for which the 

Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers 

and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers offers a reference 

framework, while respecting their voluntary nature, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

Article 1 

1. 

The Specific Programme "Ideas" for Community activities in the area of "frontier 

research", hereinafter the "Specific Programme", is hereby adopted for the period from 

1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. 

2. 

The Specific Programme shall be "investigator-driven", supporting research carried out 

across all fields by individual national or transnational teams in competition at the 

European level. The detailed objectives and the broad lines of those activities are set out in 

Annex I. 

 
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Article 2 

In accordance with Annex II of the Framework Programme, the amount deemed necessary for the 

execution of the Specific Programme shall be EUR 7 510 million, of which not more than 5 % shall 
be for the Commission's administrative expenditure1. 

Article 3 

1. 

All research activities carried out under the Specific Programme shall be carried out in 

compliance with fundamental ethical principles. 

2. 

The following fields of research shall not be financed under this programme: 

– 

– 

research activity aiming at human cloning for reproductive purposes, 

research activity intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings which 
could make such changes heritable2, 

– 

research activities intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of 

research or for the purpose of stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic 

cell nuclear transfer. 

1 
2 

Including the administrative expenditure of the European Research Council. 
Research relating to cancer treatment of the gonads may be financed. 

 
                                                 
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3. 

Research on human stem cells, both adult and embryonic, may be financed, depending 

both on the contents of the scientific proposal and the legal framework of the Member 

State(s) involved. 

Any application for financing for research on human embryonic stem cells shall include, as 

appropriate, details of licensing and control measures that will be taken by the competent 

authorities of the Member States as well as details of the ethical approval(s) that will be 

provided. 

As regards the derivation of human embryonic stem cells, institutions, organisations and 

researchers shall be subject to strict licensing and control in accordance with the legal 

framework of the Member State(s) involved. 

4. 

The fields of research set out in paragraph 2 shall be reviewed for the second phase of this 

programme (2010-2013) in the light of scientific advances. 

Article 4 

1. 

2. 

The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Specific Programme. 

The Commission shall establish a European Research Council (ERC), which shall be the 

means for implementing the Specific Programme. 

 
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3. 

The European Research Council shall consist of an independent Scientific Council, 

supported by a dedicated implementation structure, as described in Annex I. It shall 

operate according to the principles of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency, 

transparency and accountability. 

4. 

The Commission shall act as the guarantor of the European Research Council's autonomy 

and integrity, ensure the proper execution of the tasks entrusted to it and provide the 

European Parliament and the Council with an annual report on the ERC's operations and 

realisation of the objectives set out in the Specific Programme. 

Article 5 

1. 

The Scientific Council shall be composed of scientists, engineers and scholars of the 

highest repute and appropriate expertise, ensuring a diversity of research areas, acting in 

their personal capacity, independent of extraneous interests.  

The Commission shall appoint the members of the Scientific Council following an 

independent and transparent procedure for their identification agreed with the Scientific 

Council including a consultation of the scientific community and a report to the European 
Parliament and the Council1. 

Their term of office shall be limited to 4 years, renewable once on a basis of a rotating 

system which will ensure the continuity of the Scientific Council's work. 

1 

Involvement of the Scientific Council is not applicable for the process of the selection of the 
founding members of the Scientific Council. 

 
                                                 
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2. 

3. 

The Scientific Council shall act in accordance with the mandate set out in Annex I. 

The Scientific Council shall establish: 

(a) 

the overall strategy for the ERC; 

(b) 

the work programme for the implementation of the Specific Programme, to be 

adopted pursuant to Article 6(1); 

(c) 

the methods and procedures for peer review and proposal evaluation on the basis of 

which the proposals to be funded will be determined; 

(d) 

its position on any matter which from a scientific perspective may enhance the 

achievements and impact of the Specific Programme, and the quality of the research 

carried out; 

(e) 

a code of conduct addressing, inter alia, the avoidance of conflicts of interest. 

4. 

The Scientific Council shall exclusively act in the interest of achieving the Specific 

Programme's scientific, technological and scholarly objectives, according to the principles 

set out in Article 4(3). 

 
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Article 6 

1. 

The Commission shall adopt the work programme for the implementation of the Specific 

Programme, setting out in greater detail the objectives and scientific and technological 

priorities contained in Annex I, the associated funding, and the timetable for 

implementation. 

2. 

The work programme shall take account of the state of science and technology in Europe 

and anticipate developments. It shall be updated as and where appropriate. 

3. 

The work programme shall specify the criteria on which proposals under the funding 

schemes shall be evaluated and projects selected. For individual projects the sole criterion 

of excellence shall be applicable. For coordination and support actions, project-related 

criteria may be applicable. 

4. 

The work programme may identify: 

(a) 

organisations that receive subscriptions in the form of a membership fee; 

(b) 

support actions for the activities of specific legal entities. 

 
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5. 

The Commission shall ensure that the implementation of the Specific Programme is in 

accordance with the principles set out in Article 4(3) as well as with the overall strategy 

referred to in Article 5(3)(a) and the work programme referred to in Article 5(3)(b) and the 

methods and positions established by the Scientific Council as defined under 

Article 5(3)(c) and 5(3)(d). The Commission shall ensure that the dedicated 

implementation structure follows strictly, efficiently and with the necessary flexibility, the 

objectives and requirements of this Specific Programme alone. 

6. 

As regards the tasks set out in Article 5(3), the Commission shall abstain from following 

the position of the Scientific Council only when it considers that the provisions of this 

Specific Programme have not been respected. In this case, the Commission may adopt 

measures to maintain continuity in the implementation of the specific programme and the 

achievement of its objectives, duly motivating such measures. 

7. 

The advisory procedure referred to in Article 8(2) shall apply for the adoption of the work 

programme referred to in Article 6(1). 

8. 

The management procedure referred to in Article 8(3) shall apply for the adoption of the 

work programme when there is a difference of substance with the position of the Scientific 

Council in accordance with Article 6(6). 

9. 

The regulatory procedure referred to in Article 8(4) shall apply for the adoption of RTD 

actions involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells. 

 
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1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

Article 7 

The Rules for Participation and dissemination shall apply to this Specific Programme. 

The Specific Programme shall be implemented by means of the funding schemes defined 

in Annex III of the Framework Programme. 

Article 8 

The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee. 

Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall 

apply. 

3. 

Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall 

apply. 

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two months. 

4. 

Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall 

apply. 

The period laid down for in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at two 

months. 

5. 

The Commission shall regularly inform the Committee of the overall progress of the 

implementation of the Specific Programme, and shall provide it with timely information 

about all actions proposed or funded under this programme as specified in Annex II. 

6. 

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. 

 
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Article 9 

The Commission shall arrange for the independent monitoring, assessment and review provided for 

in Article 7 and Annex I Section II ("Ideas") of the Framework Programme to be conducted 

concerning the activities covered by the Specific Programme. 

This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal 

Article 10 

of the European Union. 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 19 December 2006. 

For the Council 

The President 

K. KORKEAOJA 

 
 
 
 
 
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ANNEX I 

SCIENTIFIC OBJECTIVES AND BROAD LINES OF THE ACTIVITIES 

Investigator-driven "frontier research", within the framework of activities commonly understood as 

"basic research", is a key driver of wealth and social progress, as it opens new opportunities for 

scientific and technological advance, and is instrumental in producing new knowledge leading to 

future applications and markets. 

Despite many achievements and a high level of performance in a large number of fields, Europe is 

not making the most of its research potential and resources, and urgently needs a strengthened 

capacity to generate knowledge and translate such knowledge into economic and social value and 

growth. 

Objectives 

The objective of the Specific Programme "Ideas" is to reinforce excellence, dynamism and 

creativity in European research and improve the attractiveness of Europe for the best researchers 

from both European and third countries, as well as for industrial research investment, by providing 

a Europe-wide competitive funding structure, in addition to and not replacing national funding, for 

"frontier research" executed by individual teams. Communication and dissemination of research 

results is an important aspect of this programme. 

 
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For its implementation, a European Research Council (ERC), consisting of an independent 

Scientific Council and a lean and cost-effective dedicated implementation structure, will be created 

by the Commission under this Specific Programme. The ERC will operate according to the 

principles of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency, transparency and accountability, and will 

support investigator-driven projects in "frontier research", carried out by individual teams 

competing at the European level, within and across all fields of research. 

By promoting "frontier research" from across the EU, the Specific Programme will aim to put 

European research in a leading position, opening the way to creating new and often unexpected 

scientific and technological results and new areas for research. It will stimulate the flow of ideas 

and allow Europe better to exploit its research assets and foster innovation in the drive towards a 

dynamic knowledge-based society, with long-term benefits for the competitiveness of European 

economies and well being. 

Programme Implementation 

For the implementation of this Specific Programme, the Commission will establish, at the start, the 

two key structural components of the ERC – an independent Scientific Council and a dedicated 

implementation structure. 

 
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The administrative and staffing costs for the ERC relating to the Scientific Council and dedicated 

implementation structure will be consistent with lean and cost-effective management; 

administrative expenditure will be kept to a minimum, consistent with ensuring the resources 
necessary for high quality implementation, in order to maximise funding for frontier research1. 

The Scientific Council 

The tasks of the Scientific Council, as established in Article 5, will be as follows: 

1. 

Scientific strategy 

•  Establish the overall scientific strategy for the programme, in the light of scientific 

opportunities and European scientific needs. 

•  On a permanent basis, in accordance with the scientific strategy, ensure the 

establishment of the work programme and necessary modifications, including calls for 

proposals and criteria and, as may be required, the definition of specific topics or target 

groups (e.g. young/emerging teams). 

1 

With a view to facilitating the implementation of the programme, for each meeting of the 
programme committee as defined in the agenda, the Commission will reimburse, in 
accordance with its established guidelines, the expenses of one representative per Member 
State, as well as one expert/adviser per Member State for those agenda items where a 
Member State requires specific expertise. 

 
                                                 
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2. 

Scientific management, monitoring and quality control of programme implementation 

•  As appropriate, from a scientific perspective, establish positions on implementation and 

management of calls for proposals, evaluation criteria, peer review processes including 

the selection of experts and the methods for peer review and proposal evaluation, on the 

basis of which the proposal to be funded will be determined under the supervision of the 

Scientific Council; as well as any other matter affecting the achievements and impact of 

the Specific Programme, and the quality of the research carried out. 

•  Monitor quality of operations and evaluate programme implementation and 

achievements and make recommendations for corrective or future actions. 

3. 

Communication and dissemination 

•  Assure communication with the scientific community and key stakeholders on the 

activities and achievements of the programme and the deliberations of the ERC. 

•  Regularly report to the Commission on its activities. 

The Scientific Council will have full authority over decisions on the type of research to be funded 

and act as guarantor of the quality of the activity from the scientific perspective. 

 
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The Scientific Council may independently select a Secretary-General who will act under its 

authority. The Secretary-General will inter alia assist the Scientific Council in ensuring its effective 

liaison with the dedicated implementation structure and with the Commission, an in monitoring the 

effective implementation of its strategy and positions as carried by the dedicated implementation 

structure. 

Administrative assistance may be provided for the Chair and vice-chairs of the Scientific Council. 

Dedicated implementation structure 

The dedicated implementation structure will be responsible for all aspects of administrative 

implementation and programme execution, as provided for in the annual work programme. It will, 

in particular, implement the evaluation procedures, peer review and selection process according to 

the principles established by the Scientific Council and will ensure the financial and scientific 

management of the grants. The dedicated implementation structure will keep the Scientific Council 

informed of its activities. 

The management of the ERC will be carried out by staff recruited for that purpose, including 

officials from EU institutions, and will cover only the real administrative needs in order to assure 

the stability and continuity necessary for an effective administration. 

 
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Role of the Commission 

The Commission will act as the guarantor of the ERC's full autonomy and integrity. It will ensure 

that the ERC acts in accordance with the principles of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency 

and transparency, and that it follows precisely the strategy and implementation methodology 

established by the Scientific Council. In particular the Commission will: 

•  Ensure the establishment of a dedicated implementation structure and the delegation of tasks and 

responsibilities to it. 

•  Appoint the Director and the Senior Staff of the dedicated implementation structure taking into 

account the views of the Scientific Council. 

•  Adopt the work programme and the positions regarding implementing methodology, as defined 

by the Scientific Council. 

•  Ensure that proposals are retained, and projects financed, solely on the basis of their ranking 

order resulting from the peer review; any change in the rank order of peer review must be 

explicitly endorsed by the Scientific Council. 

•  Regularly inform the programme committee on the implementation of the programme. 

•  Draw up, in cooperation with the Scientific Council, an annual report on the ERC's operations 

and realisation of the objectives set out in the Specific Programme and submit it to the Council 

and the Parliament. 

 
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Activities 

This programme will promote world class "frontier research". The term "frontier research" reflects a 

new understanding of basic research. On one hand it denotes that basic research in science and 

technology is of critical importance to economic and social welfare, and on the other that research 

at and beyond the frontiers of current understanding is an intrinsically risky venture, progressing on 

new and most challenging research areas and is characterised by an absence of disciplinary 

boundaries. 

The programme will support individual projects, which may be carried out in any field of basic 

scientific and technological research which falls within the scope of Community research under this 

Framework Programme, including engineering, socio-economic sciences and the humanities. As 

appropriate, specific research topics or target groups (e.g. new generation researchers/emerging 

teams) may be taken into account, following the objectives of the programme and needs for 

efficient implementation. Particular attention will be paid to emerging and fast-growing areas at the 

frontier of knowledge, and at the interface between disciplines. 

An "investigator-driven" approach will be followed. This means that the programme will support 

projects carried out by researchers on subjects of their choice within the scope of calls for 

proposals. Proposals will be evaluated on the sole criterion of excellence as judged by peer review, 

taking account of excellence in new groups, new generation researchers, as well as established 

teams, and paying particular attention to proposals which are highly pioneering and involve 

correspondingly high scientific risks. 

 
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The programme will support projects carried out by individual teams which may be of national or 

transnational character. An individual team consists of an individual principal investigator and, as 
appropriate, other individuals, members of the team1. 

Review 

The implementation and management of the activity will be reviewed and evaluated on an on-going 

basis to assess its achievements and to adjust and improve procedures on the basis of experience. In 

the context of the interim evaluation referred to in Article 7(2) of the Framework Programme, an 

independent review will also be carried out of the ERC's structures and mechanisms, against the 

criteria of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency and transparency and with the full 

involvement of the Scientific Council. This will include the process and criteria for the selection of 

the members of the Scientific Council. The review will explicitly look at the advantages and 

disadvantages of a structure based on an Executive Agency, and a structure based on Article 171 of 

the Treaty. On the basis of this review, these structures and mechanisms should be modified as 

appropriate. The Commission will ensure that all the necessary preparatory work, including any 

legislative proposals which it considers necessary, is undertaken and presented to the European 

Parliament and the Council, as required by the Treaty, with a view to a transition to any modified 

structure required, as soon as possible. To this end the Framework Programme will be adapted or 

supplemented in codecision pursuant to Article 166(2) of the Treaty. The progress report referred to 

in Article 7(2) of the Framework Programme, preceding the interim evaluation, will give initial 

findings on the functioning of the ERC. 

1 

In accordance with the Rules for Participation, the participation of more than one legal 
entity is not excluded. 

 
                                                 
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Ethical aspects 

During the implementation of this Specific Programme and in the research activities arising from it, 

fundamental ethical principles are to be respected. These include, inter alia, the principles reflected 

in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, including the following: protection of human 

dignity and human life, protection of personal data and privacy, as well as of animals and the 

environment in accordance with Community law and relevant international conventions, guidelines 

and codes of conduct, such as the Helsinki Declaration, the Convention of the Council of Europe on 

Human Rights and Bio-medicine signed in Oviedo on 4 April 1997 and its Additional Protocols, the 

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration on the human genome and 

human rights adopted by UNESCO, UN Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), 

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the relevant World 

Health Organisation (WHO) resolutions. 

Account will also be taken of the Opinions of the European Group of Advisers on the Ethical 

Implications of Bio-technology (1991-1997) and the Opinions of the European Group on Ethics in 

Science and New Technologies (as from 1998). 

In compliance with the principle of subsidiarity and the diversity of approaches existing in Europe, 

participants in research projects must conform to current legislation, regulations and ethical rules in 

the countries where the research will be carried out. In any case, national provisions apply and no 

research forbidden in any given Member State or other country will be supported by Community 

funding to be carried out in that Member State or country. 

 
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Where appropriate, those carrying out research projects must seek the approval of the relevant 

national or local ethics committees prior to the start of the RTD activities. An ethical review will 

also be implemented systematically by the Commission for proposals dealing with ethically 

sensitive issues or where ethical aspects have not been adequately addressed. In specific cases an 

ethical review may take place during the implementation of a project. 

No funding will be granted for research activities that are prohibited in all the Member States. 

The Protocol on protection and welfare of animals annexed to the Treaty requires that the 

Community pays full regard to the welfare requirements of animals in formulating and 

implementing Community policies including research. Council Directive 86/609/EEC of 

24 November 1986 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the 

Member States regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific 
purposes1 requires that all experiments be designed to avoid distress and unnecessary pain and 

suffering to the experimental animals; use the minimum number of animals; involve animals with 

the lowest degree of neurophysiological sensitivity; and cause the least pain, suffering, distress or 

lasting harm. Altering the genetic heritage of animals and cloning of animals may be considered 

only if the aims are ethically justified and the conditions are such that the animals' welfare is 

guaranteed and the principles of bio-diversity are respected. 

During the implementation of this programme, scientific advances and national and international 

provisions will be regularly monitored by the Commission so as to take account of any 

developments. 

1 

OJ L 358, 18.12.1986, p. 1. Directive as amended by Directive 2003/65/EC of the European 
Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 230, 16.9.2003, p. 32). 

 
 
                                                 
30.12.2006 

EN 

Official Journal of the European Union 

L 400/269 

ANNEX II 

Information to be provided by the Commission in accordance with Article 8(6) 

1. 

Information on actions, enabling the entire lifetime of each proposal to be monitored, 

covering in particular: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

submitted proposals, 

evaluation results for each proposal,  

grant agreements, 

completed actions. 

2. 

Information on the outcome of each call and implementation of actions, covering in 

particular: 

– 

– 

– 

results of each call, 

conclusion of grant agreements,  

implementation of actions, including payment data and outcome of actions. 

3. 

Information on programme implementation, including relevant information at the level of 

the Framework Programme and the Specific Programme. 

This information (in particular, on proposals, their evaluation and grant agreements) should be 

provided in a uniform structured electronically-readable and treatable format accessible through an 

IT-based information and reporting system which readily enables data analysis.