The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be hosting Professor Donald Dingwell, European Research Council (ERC) Secretary General, in South Africa from 12 to 16 March 2012. The ERC is currently promoting its cooperation with countries outside Europe.
Professor Dingwell will present the overall strategy of the ERC during this briefing session.
13 March 2012, DST building (Auditorium), Pretoria, South Africa, 14h00 - 16h00
(Lunch will be available from 13h00 - 14h00).
The ERC is part of the EU's seventh framework programme (FP7) and has a total budget of €7.5 billion from 2007 to 2013. The ERC operates on a bottom-up basis without predetermined priorities. Therefore, there are no specific cooperation activities involving specific countries and regions. However, researchers from South Africa can apply for ERC grants provided the research they undertake will be carried out in an EU Member State (EU) or Associated Country.
ERC grantees can keep their affiliation with their home institute in South Africa, but must spend a "significant part" (minimum 50 %) of their work time in Europe. Applications are evaluated on the sole criterion of excellence. This gives top researchers the freedom and flexibility they need to explore the frontiers of knowledge and encourages risk taking and inter-disciplinarity. Also, the possibility to involve team members located outside Europe in ERC projects provides an interesting opportunity for South African researchers.
We would like to encourage the South African research community to participate in this briefing session and take the advantage of the opportunity to engage with the ERC Secretary General about the programme.
