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Link:

ucl.ac.uk/research" target="_self">Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Research

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European Union Commissioner for Research, Innovation & Science made an official visit to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø on 7 February 2011.

After being welcomed by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø President and Provost Professor Malcolm Grant, the Commissioner was briefed on Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø strategies in relation to her portfolio. She was then given a tour of the London Centre for Nanotechnology and the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Centre for Sustainable Heritage.

The Commissioner also met some Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø holders of European Research Council grants, which is now commonly regarded as the most prestigious funding scheme under Framework Programme 7, the European Commission's instrument for funding research and development. Speaking at a press conference at the European Commission, Brussels, on 9 February 2011, she commented on their "really genuine and inspiring enthusiasm".

This was the Commissioner's first official visit to the UK and was her only visit to a UK university as part of it. At other points during the day, she met with the Rt Hon David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities & Science, and Sir John Beddington, the Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government.

Image: Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø President and Provost Professor Malcolm Grant with Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Context

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's research income from the European Commission has trebled since 2008 and looks set to increase even more over the coming years. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø now consistently ranks among the five most successful universities in Europe to receive funding from the European Commission. The can advise staff on Framework Programme 7.