The Commission published on August 26th a Communication to the Council and the European Parliament, COM(2008) 526 final, with the recommendations on the Methodology and Terms of Reference to be used for the Review to be carried out by independent experts concerning the European Research Council Structures and Mechanisms. The Commission’s responsibility for implementing the Specific Programme “Ideas” is combined with a duty to assure the ERC’s full autonomy and integrity. It is in this context that the Commission proposes the methodology and terms of reference to be used for the review of ERC structures and mechanisms.

The European Research Council (ERC), established under the Specific Programme "Ideas", defines a new scientific component of the 7th research Framework Programme and a far-reaching departure from earlier Community research activities. Supporting frontier research carried out by individual teams, on the basis of open competition across Europe on the sole criterion of excellence, it aims to make a substantial contribution to the development of Europe's research capabilities at the very highest level.

The Specific Programme “Ideas” defines the overall governance structure of the ERC, setting out the roles of Scientific Council, dedicated implementation structure and Commission, stating that the Commission is responsible for the implementation of the “Ideas” programme and for guaranteeing the ERC’s full autonomy and integrity.

The first year of operation (2007) was associated with the implementation of the "Starting Grant" scheme for investigators in the process of establishing their independence. The call was perceived as a major success by external stakeholders in terms of the large number of applications processed (more than 9000) resulting in approximately 300 grants.

The second year (2008) has seen a reinforcement of the scientific agenda with the addition of a second "Advanced Grant" scheme for established, independent investigators, as well as substantial developments towards the creation of the Executive Agency. The ERC Executive Agency is at the preparatory stage. It was established by Council Decision in December 2007, and the Delegation Act is expected to be adopted in September 2008.

As the Commission concludes in these recommendations, the review of ERC structures and mechanisms will have a decisive influence on the future structure of the ERC and as such will be a point of reference for the future development of EU research funding. It is, therefore, vital that the review is carried out properly and effectively, with the full support of the stakeholders, including the EU institutions and the Scientific Council.

The main elements on which the review should be conducted are:

• Selection of independent experts: The credibility of the review and its outcomes will depend primarily on the integrity, breadth of understanding and reputation of the experts selected to conduct it. The Commission proposes to appoint a Panel comprising a Chair and four further members, as well as a rapporteur, and will keep the key stakeholders informed. This Panel should meet the expert knowledge criterion as well as the breadth of competence to assess the ERC on various points of view.
• Scope: The Commission considers that the review should be sufficiently broad-ranging, taking into account the various different levels of legislation and administrative practice involved. The review must accommodate the ongoing developments in the ERC, drawing on all the quantitative and qualitative evidence and experience that have accumulated, dating back to the start of the Scientific Council's work in October 2005.
• Working methods: To ensure the necessary breadth and depth of evidence, the Commission proposes a "Commission of Inquiry" format involving examination, in confidence, of documentary and oral evidence, which may derive from a wide range of key stakeholders' perspectives, including for example, the ERC Scientific Council; the research community (academia, research institutes, research foundations, industry); Member States; EU Institutions; DG RTD and other Commission services.
• Criteria: The Commission stresses that the general criteria that should inspire the review must be considered in a holistic way, since they involve interacting requirements. Those key principles on which the ERC should operate, Scientific Excellence, Autonomy, Efficiency and Transparency, were established and confirmed during the political debate leading up to the Commission proposal for the Specific Programme "Ideas".
• Timetable and Deliverables: Consistent with the objective of conducting the review as soon as possible, the Commission recommends that the process should start by the nomination of experts in February 2009, being the first meeting of the expert Panel this same month. Submission of oral and written evidence would take place between February and May 2009 to present a final report in July. The initial Commission response will be presented in September 2009.

Independent of the review of structures and mechanisms, the ERC is designed to be a "learning organisation", developing and adapting to ensure it delivers its objectives in an efficient and effective manner.