The ERC analysis shows that local, institutional support to the ERC applicants is important factor in their final success. The event is convening representatives of national institutions that can play a role in supporting ERC applicants to bring them together with potential ERC candidates, the ERC Scientific Council members, and staff from the ERC Executive Agency, in order to discuss together the best possible ways of supporting outstanding scientist and help them successfully apply to the ERC.

With the ERC widening European participation events the ERC Scientific Council is opening a forum of dialogue, exchange of experiences, networking, and learning about good practices among stakeholders relevant for successful application to the ERC.

10:00  Registration

10:30  Welcome by the Host
Dr Maja Makovec Brenčič, Minister, Education, Science and Sport, Republic of Slovenia

10:45  Opening: The European Research Council - Supporting investigator-driven frontier research
Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President of European Research Council

11:00  The ERC’s quest to support excellent researchers all over Europe
Prof. Eva Kondorosi, Chair of the ERC Scientific Council WG on widening European participation

11:20  Testimony of an ERC grantee based in the region
Prof. Sofija Stefanovic, ERC Starting Grantee, Laboratory for Bioarchaeology, University of Belgrade

11:40  Q&A Session with the speakers: Challenges for frontier research in the region
Moderated by Prof. Nils Christian Stenseth, ERC Scientific Council WG on widening European participation

12:00  Lunch break

13:00  ERC application and evaluation process
Dr Martin Penny, Head of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Scientific Department, ERC Executive Agency

13:20  Towards next generation of young scientists: Support networks of excellent researchers
Prof. Nedjeljka Zagar, Vice-chair COST Sci-Generation, Member Young Academy of Europe, ERC StG

13:40  International training opportunities in cutting edge research
Prof. Mauro Giacca, Director of International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology 
Prof. Fernando Quevedo, Director of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics

14:00  Practices of national and institutional support: Hungary – a success story
Gergely Bohm, Head of Department of International Relations,  Hungarian Academy of Sciences

14:20  Q&A Session with the speakers: Measures in support of excellent researchers
Moderated by Prof. Nils Christian Stenseth, ERC Scientific Council WG on widening European participation

14:40  Coffee break

15:00  Panel discussion: National and institutional perspectives on challenges for participation in ERC competitions

Panellist:

Prof. József Györkös, Director of Slovenian Research Agency

Prof. Dario Vretenar, President of the Board, Croatian Science Foundation

Prof. Milos Trifkovic, President of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ms. Aleksandra Bajic, Senior Adviser for International Cooperation, The Academy of Sciences and Arts of Republic of Srpska

Prof. Laurentiu Leustean, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research, University of Bucharest

Prof. Tonin Gjuraj, Rector of European University of Tirana (UET)

Prof. Aleksandar Belic, Institute of Physics, University of Belgrade

Prof. Ivan Nedkov, Bulgarian academy of science

Ms. Violeta Atanasovska, Senior Adviser for International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Macedonia

Moderators:
Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President, European Research Council 
Prof. Eva Kondorosi, Chair, ERC Scientific Council WG on widening European participation

16:00  Networking reception 

Contact Information: ERC-WEP@ec.europa.eu