ERC selects Elsevier's SciVerse Scopus database to track and award research funding opportunities

ElsevierJan 20 2011

- Funding Body Will Use Publications and Citations Data to Track Success of Funded Projects

Elsevier's SciVerse Scopus (http://www.info.sciverse.com/scopus/) database was selected by the European Research Council (ERC) to assist in the tracking and awarding of funding opportunities for researchers throughout the world. The ERC, the European funding body managing the 'Ideas Programme of the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme, chose SciVerse Scopus because it represents the largest abstract and indexing database of peer reviewed literature in the world, and is the only database that contains data related to arts and humanities literature.

Over the next four years, ERC consultants will use the data provided by SciVerse Scopus in combination with a research information system, to track the success of the projects funded by the ERC in terms of publications and citations. Information provided by SciVerse Scopus will also help the ERC to fund research based on scientific excellence and, in the long term, to substantially strengthen and shape the European research system.

"The ERC is a departure from conventional methods for implementing EU research programmes," said Mr. Dr. Alexis-Michel Mugabushaka, Policy Analyst for the European Research Council. "To ensure that the ERC's structures and mechanisms are appropriate and effective, an independent high level Panel has carried out a review, with the full involvement of the ERC's Scientific Council. SciVerse Scopus data will help us to be both comprehensive and data-driven in our review."

"The European Research Council is looking to support new ideas and creative researchers," said Martin O'Malley, Managing Director Science & Technology Sales at Elsevier. "To realize this, both the feasibility of researchers' visions before the funding process and the magnitude of their impact after funding must be assessed. We are proud to be selected by the ERC to help achieve the support of scientific ideas."