The establishment of a European Research Council (ERC) was included in the proposals for the Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7). The European Commission proposed that an ERC should be created to support fundamental European research at all levels and in all disciplines. It would address the need to develop long-term research policy in Europe, and distribute funds based on excellence and merit. The ERC would also play a large part in achieving the goal of the Lisbon Strategy to make the EU ‘the world’s most competitive and dynamic economy by 2010’. It will have a fundamental role in reaching the target set by the Barcelona EU Council to increase research spending to 3% of GDP by 2010.

The ERC has appointed a Scientific Council which will act as its policy-making supervisory body. It will act on behalf of the scientific community in Europe to promote creativity and innovative research. It will also oversee the operational management of the ERC and direct its scientific strategy. From the UK, Professor Wendy Hall and Professor Robert May have been appointed members of the Scientific Council.