Brussels, 01/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 26 August, the European Commission published a communication on the methodology and mandate for the assessment of the structures and mechanisms of the European Research Council (ERC), to be carried out by independent experts. In order to carry out this assessment, experts will be appointed in February 2009 with a view to submitting a final report in July of the same year. Various criteria will be taken into account for the assessment of the ERC: scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency and transparency. The European Commission's reaction is expected in September 2009. The ERC, which was officially founded in February 2007, has the mission of supporting projects by the most talented European researchers in all scientific fields. It has a budget of 7.5 billion EUR over seven years, to support projects concerning "research at the frontiers of knowledge" in all areas of science. (B.C./trans.fl)