On 16 June the Latvian Minister for Education and Science Ms Mārīte Seile is speaking at the ceremony of signing of the 5000th Grantee certificate of the European Research Council (ERC) in Brussels. The 5000th Grantee is Dr Iva Tolić, biologist from Croatia who researches complex cell processes.
Together with the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Mr Carlos Moedas, the Minister is highlighting the role of the ERC as the pan-European funding body for so-called basic or frontier research and its positive impact upon the European research landscape.
The ERC aims to enhance the dynamic character, creativity and excellence of European research. “New ideas, products and services often come from frontier research which initially may seem to be far from practical applications. Therefore the frontier research financed by the Horizon 2020 is vital for Europe’s competitiveness and growth, and the ERC grants are essential elements in the European research landscape,” emphasises the minister. Ms Seile is convinced that the ERC plays an important role in keeping the best scientific minds in Europe, in attracting scientists from outside the EU and boosting the careers of excellent young researchers.
As former President of Latvia, Professor Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga has said, the ERC grants allow “the whole of Europe to be greater than the sum of its parts with respect to cutting-edge research, discovery and innovation.” The only grant holder from Latvia is Professor Andris Ambainis who was successful in obtaining a grant for his work in quantum computing.
The latest ERC’s newsletter is focused on Latvia. An editorial by Prof V.Vīķe–Freiberga, an interview with Prof Andris Ambainis and more can be downloaded here: