FP7 at the University of
Nottingham – Focus on ERC
Starting Grants
Matthew Rackley, BDE; Europe
Research Innovation Services
Matthew.rackley@nottingham.ac.uk
Framework Programme 7 (FP7)




EU’s main instrument for funding research, and further
their goal of creating a knowledge-based economy
Runs 2007 – 2013
Four main pillars:
- Cooperation
- Ideas
- People
- Capacities
Total funding over €50 billion
Cooperation



Large scale collaborative projects with partners
across the EU (and now the world), to address
fragmentation of research in the European
Research Area
‘Top-down’ subject matter under ten thematic
priorities, which publish detailed annual Work
Programmes
There is scope for influencing the topics in the
Work Programmes
Marie Curie Actions




Comprise the ‘people’ pillar of FP7
Predominantly pay for fellows either individually
or in networks
Give excellent remuneration for fellows, plus
some money for their travel, and consumables,
overhead, management.
UoN very successful but there is scope for even
more success.
European Research Council



The European Research Council (ERC) is the first
European funding body set up to support investigatordriven frontier research.
Its main aim is to stimulate scientific excellence by
supporting and encouraging the very best, truly creative
scientists, scholars and engineers to be adventurous and
take risks in their research.
The scientists are encouraged to go beyond established
frontiers of knowledge and the boundaries of
disciplines.
European Research Council






New since 2007
Funding for basic ‘frontier’ research
Bottom up funding
Only criteria is excellence
Large grants to individuals
Starting Investigator Grant, and Advanced
Investigator Grant
Starting Grant 1


Objective:
“…boost the independent careers of
excellent researchers by providing adequate
support at the critical stage where they are
starting or consolidating their own
independent research team or programme.”
(ERC Work Programme 2011)
Starting Grant 2




Support a critical stage in scientific careers
Attract / retain next-generation leaders
Address funding gap early in independent
career
Establish independent research team and
programme
Starting Grant 3






For individuals 2-12 years post-doc
€1.5million over 5 years (pro-rata for shorter)
Seeks to establish the independence of brilliant
researchers
…by funding them to start or consolidate their own
team of researchers
Covers 100% of direct costs, with 20% contribution to
indirect costs
Call published annually (late July) with Autumn
deadline(s)
Candidates?





Future research leaders – must demonstrate proven
track-record of achievement
It is ‘expected’ applicants will have produced 1
important publication independently
Also – prizes, other publications, invited presentations,
granted patents
With an idea: pioneering, groundbreaking,
interdisciplinarity encouraged
Basic ‘frontier’ research in any field of science or
scholarship
Support






First point of contact me, or Martin Pickard
Martin Pickard; dramatic success rates in proposal writing
Jill Harris/Jenny Rowley in RIS support admin/budget
BDEs serving individual Schools can provide support too
Post award team for the contracts and consortium
agreements; Paul Cartledge
UKRO; information service, facilities in Brussels
Nottingham Track Record

FP6 (2002-2006)134 Projects, worth €43 million
with a success rate of over 50%

FP7 (2007-2013) 150 Projects so far worth €51
million and with a success rate of 30%

One ERC Starting Grant (Chemistry) with three
at interview this year). Three Advanced Grants.
Thank you
Matthew Rackley BDE; Europe
matthew.rackley@nottingham.ac.uk
Ext 13285
+44 1159 513 285