Article 1

Decision 2007/134/EC is amended as follows:

  1. 1.

    Article 1 is replaced by the following:

    ‘Article 1Establishment

    The European Research Council is hereby established for the period from 2 February 2007 to 31 December 2013 for the implementation of the Specific Programme “Ideas”. It shall be composed of a Scientific Council and the European Research Council Executive Agency as established by Commission Decision 2008/37/EC6.’
  2. 2.

    In Article 3 the following paragraph 3 is added:

    ‘3.

    The Scientific Council shall cooperate with the European Research Council Executive Agency to ensure coherent and efficient implementation of the Specific Programme “Ideas” and close alignment of the scientific and administrative aspects of the ERC’s operations. That cooperation shall include a coherent communication of the ERC’s activities and the setting up of a common website covering the different aspects of the ERC’s operations.’

  3. 3.

    Article 4 is amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

      ‘4.

      Future members shall be appointed by the Commission based on the factors and criteria set out in Annex I and following an independent and transparent procedure for their identification, agreed with the Scientific Council, including a consultation of the scientific community and a report to the European Parliament and the Council. The appointment of future members shall be published in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001. For this purpose, a high level standing Identification Committee of independent experts may be set up as an expert group with honoraria paid under the operational budget of the Specific Programme “Ideas”.’;

    2. (b)

      paragraph 9 is deleted.

  4. 4.

    Article 5 is amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

      ‘4.

      The Scientific Council shall be accountable to the Commission, maintain continuous close liaison with it and the European Research Council Executive Agency, and establish any necessary arrangements for this.’;

    2. (b)

      paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:

      ‘6.

      The Commission shall provide information and assistance necessary for the work of the Scientific Council allowing it to operate under conditions of autonomy and independence. A Coordination and Support Action as referred to in Annex III to Decision No 1982/2006/EC may be used to provide local administrative or advisory support to the Chairperson and Vice-Chairpersons of the Scientific Council.’;

    3. (c)

      the following paragraph 8 is added:

      ‘8.

      The Scientific Council is provided access to documents and data in possession of the European Research Council Executive Agency in accordance with the procedure set out in Annex III.’

  5. 5.

    Article 6 is amended as follows:

    1. (a)

      paragraphs 3 and 4 are replaced by the following:

      ‘3.

      The Scientific Council shall adopt its rules of procedure which shall include detailed provisions for the elections referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, as well as a code of conduct on confidentiality, potential conflict of interest, and processing of personal data in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.

      4.

      The Scientific Council shall meet in plenary up to five times a year as required by its work. A summary minute of the plenary meetings shall be published on the ERC website.’;

    2. (b)

      the following paragraph 6 is added:

      ‘6.

      The Scientific Council may set up, from amongst its members, Standing Committees, Working Groups and other structures addressing specific tasks of the Scientific Council.’

  6. 6.

    Article 8 is replaced by the following:

    ‘Article 8Honoraria and meeting expenses

    1.

    The Scientific Council members shall be compensated for the tasks they perform by means of an honorarium for their attendance at Scientific Council plenary meetings. The honoraria and travel and subsistence expenses shall be charged to the operational budget allocated to the Specific Programme “Ideas”. The honoraria and related implementation rules are set out in Annex IV.

    2.

    For other meetings than plenary meetings, the European Research Council Executive Agency shall reimburse travel expenses and, where appropriate, subsistence expenses of the members of the Scientific Council necessary for carrying out their activities, in accordance with the Commission’s rules on the compensation of external experts7. Subject to prior approval of the European Research Council Executive Agency, travel and subsistence expenses related to such other meetings, necessary for the conduct of the Scientific Council’s work may be also covered.’
  7. 7.

    Annex II is replaced as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

  8. 8.

    Annexes III and IV, as set out in the Annex to this Decision, are added.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 12 January 2011.

For the Commission

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Member of the Commission