European Research Council (ERC)
For those of you who don't usually read about European research policies, the European Research Council is a projected European structure being designed to support basic research. It is now clear that the ERC will be formed but it is still unknown how much money the EU budget will reserve for it. Recently the Scientific Council of the future ERC was nominated and the chairman is none other than Fotis Kafatos, the former EMBL director. Kafatos term as EMBL director ended in May last year and his nomination as chairman of the ERC will, in my opinion, strengthen the research council and hopefully help it attract the funding required.
For further reading:
Kafatos named Chairman of ERC Council (EMBL announcement)
Chairman explains Europe's research council (interview for Nature)
Election of Chairman of Scientific Council (press release hidden among several other)