24/08/2015 (Agence Europe) -Commission supports ESS particle accelerator. On Wednesday 19 August, the European Commission granted the legal status of European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) to the European Spallation Source (ESS), a particle accelerator being constructed near Lund (Sweden). With this measure, the EU provides the facility with many administrative advantages enjoyed by international organisations and therefore helps to successfully implement the infrastructure project. The ESS facility is recognised as the world's next-generation source of neutron beams and the centre will become a major driver for innovation in science and industry in Europe. The EU has contributed €5 million of funding to the preparatory phase of this infrastructure, and will provide additional support of €20 million in 2015 through the Horizon 2020 programme. (IL)