The European Research Council (ERC)

The European Research Council is an executive agency of the European Commission in charge of the "ideas" specific programme of the seventh framework programme (FP7). The ideas programme supports investigator-driven frontier research, aiming at excellence in research by supporting the best researchers in engaging in adventurous research. ERC grants are awarded solely on the basis of excellence and are open to starting as well as established researchers. Two types of grants are available:
1. ERC starting independent researcher grant (ERC starting grant)
2. ERC advanced investigator grant (ERC advanced grant)

The ERC, officially launched in February 2007, is a recent addition to the European research landscape. The number of applicants in the first calls for proposals hugely exceeded expectations, showing that the ERC responds to a clear and substantial demand. However, there is also the need for further reforms and adjustment of mechanisms. The VSNU has contributed to this process with the position paper "Response to the consultation of the high level panel for the review of the European Research Council (ERC)" (April 2009), identifying the transparency of the selection process as one of the areas for improvement.

ERC grants in the Netherlands

The Dutch research universities have been performing well in ERC grant competitions. In the initial rounds of 2008, the Netherlands came out fourth in ERC starting grants and sixth in ERC advanced grants, a very good result considering the lower number of researchers in the Netherlands compared to other countries. In the second round of 2009, the Netherlands again came out on top, in an excellent fifth position shared with Zwitserland. Moreover, a closer look at the mobility of grantees reveals the high success rate of Dutch researchers compared to those of other countries. Of the 17 grantees at Dutch institutions, 12 are staying nationals. In the United Kingdom, the number of award-winning staying nationals is only slightly higher (15), even though the total number of grants for the United Kingdom is far higher (43).