CERC3
Facts
What and Who is CERC3?
What does CERC3 do?
The Structure of CERC3
CERC3 and other European
Bodies
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What and Who is CERC3?
CERC3 is the acronym for the Chairpersons and Directors of European
Research Councils' Chemistry Committees (CERCCC or CERC3). It
comprises representatives of national research councils in the
EU member countries which have responsibility for funding research
and related postgraduate training in basic chemistry.
CERC3 is composed of
- eminent research chemists who have been nominated by the national
research councils,
- programme directors in charge of chemistry funding in the
national research councils.
CERC3 meets annually. Observers from the European Science Foundation
(ESF), the European Commission (EC), from other European bodies
seeking to promote chemistry in Europe (AllChemE = Alliance for
Chemistry and Chemical Technology in Europe) and from European
countries not belonging to the EU are also invited.
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What does CERC3 do?
The primary aim of CERC3 is to enable better co-ordination of
national research programmes in chemistry in the EU, in order
to achieve a more effective use of both national and international
resources and raise the visibility of chemistry research in Europe.
To achieve these objectives, CERC3 undertakes to
- regularly exchange information between
CERC3 research councils on national priorities in chemistry
and the selection of these priorities,
- organise joint research workshops
for young chemists (Young Chemists' Workshops),
- exchange information and organise
Workshops on Evaluation/Assessment Procedures,
- provide a framework for the the
CERC3 research councils to align some of their their resources
into projects carried out by collaborating international research
groups (CERC3 Transnational Research Initiative),
- promote and encourage the use and
development of pan-European schemes and the actions of AllChemE
and maintain the dialogue with other relevant bodies.
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The Structure of CERC3
CERC3 was established in 1990. The Committee meets annually in
different European locations. The Chairperson is selected by CERC3
from its membership by annual rotation. The present Chairman
for the period 2006/2007 is Prof. Bengt Nordén,
Physical Chemistry, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg,
Sweden.
The task of progressing and monitoring actions is delegated by
the Committee to a small Executive Group whose members are chosen
by the Committee on a rotating basis.
The Committee has no funds, assets or staff. At present, the
CERC3 Secretariate is run by two of the Research Councils who
permit limited efforts and funds to be devoted to CERC3 administration.
Travel and venue costs are borne by national research councils.
Much of the work of CERC3 is carried out by Committee members
or administrators in their national research councils.
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CERC3 and other European Bodies
CERC3 does not operate in a vacuum. It seeks to establish and
maintain close links with other European bodies seeking to promote
chemistry in Europe. Good relations have been formed with
- ESF - European Science Foundation
- EC - European Commission
CERC3 has been instrumental in promoting discussions between
five key European groups who have concerns for the promotion of
chemical sciences and technologies in areas of basic and applied
research. These groups are
- CEFIC - European Chemical
Industry Council
- COST - European
Co-operation in Scientific and Technical Research: Technical
Committee for Chemistry
- EuCheMS
- European Association of Chemical and Molecular Sciences
- EFCE - European Federation
of Chemical Engineering
- CERC3
In 1995, the five bodies formed an Alliance for Chemical Sciences
and Technologies in Europe (AllChemE)
aimed at giving chemistry in Europe a single voice to promote
chemical sciences and technologies in EU Framework Programmes.
AllChemE has been active in organising a series of European workshops
which explore various aspects of the university-industry interface.
All bodies are invited to depute observers to the annual CERC3
meetings.
