Professor Polycarpou Director of the KIOS Research Center at the University of Cyprus is Chairing a panel of internationally established, high-level scientists and/or scholars charged with the responsibility of selecting research funding proposals for the most prestigious funding awarded by the EU. The panel is selected by the ERC Scientific Council on the basis of their scientific reputation.
Professor Marios Polycarpou has been appointed by the European Research Council, to Chair the ERC Evaluation Panel responsible for the review and evaluation of submissions for an ERC Advanced Grant, in the scientific areas of Systems and Communication Engineering. These areas include the whole of the Electrical and Computer Engineering field, as well as some submissions in Applied Computer Science, Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics.
As detailed on the agency’s website, the European Research Council Peer Review Panels, comprise of internationally established, high-level scientists and/or scholars who are selected by the ERC Scientific Council on the basis of their scientific reputation.
Professor Marios Polycarpou is the Director of the KIOS Research Center at the University of Cyprus, and is a holder of an ERC Advanced Grant.
When asked about his appointment Professor Polycarpou explained that “Of course, I am extremely honored to serve in the capacity of Panel Chair for the ERC Advanced Grant. It is a responsible and a challenging role but is also very worthwhile to witness the creativity and excellence of research from many of my European counterparts. Indeed, the Advanced Grant is the highest level of grant available in the ERC funding scheme. It is extremely competitive and is awarded to “exceptional established research leaders to pursue ground-breaking, high-risk projects that open new directions in their respective research fields or other domains”.
Through peer reviewed competitions the best researchers are funded to perform their research in Europe. Funding via the ERC represents 17% of the overall budget (€ 13.1 billion of € 77 billion), for the EU’s Research and Innovation programme (Horizon 2020).
The Rector of the University of Cyprus believes that Professor Polycarpou’s appointment is especially significant for Cyprus explaining that ‘it is an honor for Cyprus to have a member of its scientific community selected to such an esteemed and responsible position. The University of Cyprus is proud to have one of its academics contribute to the ERC’s mission to promote excellence in science within the Europe. This appointment will certainly help to further raise the profile of the research community in Cyprus amongst its international counterparts. Most importantly, it will enable Cyprus to make a contribution to the the mission of the ERC to promote excellence of European research at the frontiers of knowledge.”