ESF Structure and Governance
To fulfil its purpose to promote high quality science at a European level, ESF operates with a flexible administrative structure. This helps us to be responsive - free to move rapidly into new and emerging areas and capable of responding to the changing needs of the interest groups we serve. It also makes our contribution a cost-effective one.
The following organigramme shows how we are organised.
The Assembly
The Assembly is the main decision-making body of the ESF. It meets once a year, and all Member Organisations are represented. The Assembly appoints the President, Vice Presidents and the Chief Executive of the ESF. It also approves the annual reports of the Governing Council, the reports of any Committees of the Foundation, and the annual report of the Chief Executive. It ratifies the budget and accounts of the Foundation, admits new members, and approves and amends the Statute. The Assembly also provides a venue for debate and interaction between the Member Organisations.
The Governing Council
The Governing Council is reponsible for setting, approving, directing and monitoring the overall strategy direction of the Foundation. It is chaired by the President and is composed of one representative from each 'national group' of Member Organisations. The representatives are the Heads of organisations within the ESF membership. The Governing Council normally meets twice a year (in Spring and Autumn). A list of the 2008 Governing Council members can be found here.
The Science Advisory Board
The Science Advisory Board advises the CEO on the scientific strategy of ESF, is responsible for the overall quality assurance of ESF’s science operations and advises on topics for key instruments of ESF. The SAB is composed of six independent high level scientists (including the Chair) as well as the Chairs of ESF’s five Standing Committees. The membership list of SAB, its Terms of Reference and its Modus Operandi can be found here.
Standing Committees
ESF has five Scientific Standing Committees composed of leading scientists nominated by the ESF's Member Organisations. The Scientific Standing Committees are responsible for identifying scientific priorities, formulating strategies, developing research agendas and conducting peer review.
The five Scientific Standing Committees are as follows:
European Medical Research Councils (EMRC)
Humanities (SCH)
Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences (LESC)
Physical and Engineering Sciences (PESC)
Social Sciences (SCSS)
Expert Boards & Committees
Expert Boards & Committees provide advice and initiate strategic developments.
The five Expert Boards & Commitees are as follows:
Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF)
European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC)
Marine Board - ESF (MB-ESF)
Nuclear Physics European Collaboration Committee (NuPECC)
European Polar Board (EPB)
The ESF Office
The office of the ESF, based in Strasbourg, manages the day-to-day business of the ESF. The ESF Office is directed by the Chief Executive who is appointed by the Assembly. The current Chief Executive is Professor Marja Makarow. She is assisted by an international staff.
For names and contact details of ESF staff, see Who to Contact
COST
COST- the acronym for European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research - is the oldest and one of the widest European intergovernmental network for coordination of nationally funded research activities. Established by a Ministerial Conference of 19 European States in November 1971, COST is at present serving the scientific communities of 35 countries to cooperate in common research Actions supported by national funds.
▪ COST Structure
The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the main decision-making body and is made of representatives of all COST countries. The Domain Committees (DC) are responsible for a particular research domain and are also formed by representatives of the COST countries. The Management Committees (MC) - one for each Action- are formed by national experts nominated by the countries participating in the Action, coordinate the activities of the Action and report to the relevant Domain Committee. The secretariat to the CSO is provided by the Secretariat General of the Council of the European Union, thus underlining the intergovernmental character of COST. The scientific and administrative Secretariat to the COST Domain Committees and to the Actions is provided by the European Science Foundation (ESF) - the implementing Agent of COST- through a COST Office located in Brussels.