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Research and innovation
News article1 March 2022Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

Commission appoints top scientists as members of the European Research Council’s governing body

The Commission appointed today three new members to the governing body of the ERC, the Scientific Council. These scientists are appointed for an initial period of four years, replacing three members whose mandate expired. The new members will take office on 2 March 2022.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:

The ERC Scientific Council is composed of some of the most eminent European scientists and scholars to govern Europe’s premier frontier research funding organisation. I warmly welcome the three new members who bring outstanding scientific competence that will complement the expertise of the sitting members.

Maria Leptin, President of the ERC, said:

We very much look forward to welcoming the new members. This addition will ensure that the independent ERC Scientific Council with its leading researchers from all disciplines continues to represent the scientific community in Europe across the full breadth of research domains. The ERC’s winning formula remains - for scientists, by scientists.

The three new members of the ERC Scientific Council are:

  • Professor Chryssa Kouveliotou, professor at the George Washington University, Washington D.C., United States;
  • Professor László Lovász, professor emeritus at Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary;
  • Professor Giovanni Sartor, professor at the University of Bologna and at the European University Institute, Florence, Italy. 

Background

The European Research Council awards grants through open competitions to projects headed by starting and established researchers, irrespective of their origins, who are working or moving to work in Europe. The sole criterion for selection is scientific excellence. The Scientific Council, the governing body of the European Research Council, defines the ERC's scientific funding strategy and methodologies. It is composed of 22 members, all eminent scientists and scholars, who represent the scientific community in Europe and are appointed by the European Commission following recommendations by an independent Identification Committee. The ERC President chairs the Scientific Council, ensures its leadership and represents the ERC.

More information

ERC funded projects

ERC press release

Details

Publication date
1 March 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation