Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn said: "The response to the first ERA Chairs call was enormous. It showed there is a real desire among research organisations across Europe to raise their game. I want to make sure that no one with potential is left behind, so Horizon 2020 will provide funding for more ERA Chairs in places where they are needed the most." The first pilot call was open to research organisations located in less-developed EU regions or similar areas in countries associated to the EU's seventh research framework programme (FP7).
A total of 111 proposals were submitted for evaluation, largely exceeding expectations. Nearly all Member States with eligible regions were represented. Once recruited, the ERA Chairs and their teams will undertake research in a wide spectrum of scientific fields, such as aquaculture, environmental chemistry, veterinary medicine, human computer interactions and low carbon emission in cities. The selected institutions have to award ERA Chairs to outstanding academics who have the capacity to raise standards and attract more high level staff as well as money from other sources, such as EU research funding or regional funds. The positions must be published and respect ERA guidelines (gender balance, fairness, transparency, etc.). ERA Chair holders can come from anywhere in the world.