Research RTD, 7th EC Framework Programme 2007-2013: specific programme "Ideas", frontier research

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Angelika NIEBLER (PPE-DE, D) on the proposal concerning the specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013). The following amendments were voted in plenary session:

- proposals for "frontier research" in the sense of basic research should be evaluated on the basis of the sole criterion of excellence as judged by peer review and should put the emphasis on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary high risk pioneering projects;

- research activities carried out within the programme should respect fundamental ethical principles, including those which are reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, and confirm the civic and humanistic value of research, while respecting ethical and cultural diversity;

- to simplify calls for proposals and reduce costs, the Commission should set up a database as a prerequisite for notifying participants in calls for proposal;

- the Commission shall take all necessary steps to verify that the actions financed are carried out effectively and in compliance with the provisions of the Regulation 1605/2002/EC. The overall administrative expenditure of the Specific Programme including internal and management expenditure for the executive agency which it is proposed to set up, should be proportional to the activities undertaken under this programme and is subject to the decision of the budgetary and legislative authorities. Budget appropriations shall be used in accordance with the principle of sound financial management, namely in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the principle of proportionality;

- as with all specific programmes, Parliament stipulated that the Commission shall provide prior information to the budgetary authority whenever it intends to depart from the breakdown of expenditure stated in the remarks in and annex to the general budget of the European Union;

- with regard to the use of human embryonic stem cells obtained prior to the approval of this framework programme, institutions, bodies and researchers shall be subject to a stringent system of licences and checks in accordance with the legal framework of the Member State or States concerned;

- the Scientific Council and the Commission shall submit an annual report on the work of the ERC to the European Parliament and the Council, in particular giving details of the extent to which the objectives have been achieved. The Commission shall ensure that the research results are evaluated and shall report on their contribution to a dynamic, knowledge-based society in Europe;

- after a trial period of two to three years at the most, the ERC's work will be assessed by independent experts. They will assess whether the ERC's objectives have been achieved, whether its procedures have been structured efficiently and transparently, and whether the scientific independence is ensured and whether the concept of scientific excellence has been taken into account. Moreover, the assessment shall address the question of what structure would be the most appropriate for the ERC in the long term.

Notwithstanding this assessment, at all events a long-term structure shall be chosen for the ERC that ensures its maximum autonomy of the Scientific Council while maintaining transparency and accountability with regard to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council;

- Parliament inserted details on the qualifications and selection of the Scientific Council;

- the amount deemed necessary for the execution of the Specific Programme shall be EUR 7,560 million, of which 3% at the most shall be for administrative expenditure and expenditure on staff taken out of the annual budget made available for the ERC.