The European Science Awards 2007: Celebrating Excellence in European Research

WHO? Janez Potoènik, European Commissioner for Science and Research
Mojca Kucler Dolinar Slovenian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
Leading European Scientists and Science Communicators

WHERE? Brussels, Belgium

WHEN? 12 March 2008

Leading European scientists and science communicators will converge in Brussels on 12 March with the hope of taking home one of Europe's prestigious science prizes. The annual celebration of excellence in European research will reward outstanding scientific and technology results in 2007 as well as exceptional science communication.

Speakers at the high-level award ceremony will include Janez Potoènik, European Commissioner for Science and Research and Mojca Kucler Dolinar Slovenian Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology. With a prize fund of 1.8 million Euros, the European Science Awards are among Europe's most coveted science prizes.

The European Science Awards are composed of three key categories, the Descartes Prize for Transnational Collaborative Research, the Marie Curie Excellence Awards and the Science Communication Prize.

The prestigious Descartes Prize for Transnational Collaborative Research will honour leading research teams who have achieved outstanding scientific or technological results through collaborative, pan-European research in any field of science, including economics, social sciences and humanities. Three winning teams will share this year's €1.36 million prize.

The Marie Curie Excellence Awards will give public recognition to exceptional achievements of scientists who have benefited from the Marie Curie mobility scheme for the training of researchers. This year 5 Marie Curie Excellence Awards will be presented with each winner receiving a prize of €50.000.

The Science Communication Prize will reward Europe's most innovative science communicators for their role in engaging the European public, in particular young people, with science and research. The prize reflects the objectives of the EU to boost scientific culture, support the communication of research results and encourage the uptake of scientific careers. There are 3 science communication prize categories: the Communicator of the Year; the Writer of the Year; and the Audiovisual Documentary of the Year. Three laureates will receive €60.000 each and two finalists will both receive €5.000.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PRESS

Journalists will be the first to discover the winners of the European Science Awards 2007. The names of this year's prize winners will be unveiled in avant premire at the official press conference where prize winners and Jury Presidents will be present. An exclusive press lunch will be held following the press conference to provide journalists with an opportunity to meet and interview new laureates.

Journalists are also invited to attend the prestigious Awards Ceremony where Commissioner Potoènik and Minister Dolinar will address an audience of leading European scientists and representatives of major European research organisations. The European Science Awards will provide an ideal occasion to keep abreast of ground-breaking European research.

Link to the European Science Awards' Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-awards/index_en.htm

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE “European Science Awards”

Patrick Vittet-Philippe
Press and Information Officer
DG Research
Tel: + 32 2 296 9056
E mail patrick.vittet-philippe@ec.europa.eu

TO REGISTER, please complete and return the attached registration form before 3 March 2008 TO:

Loc van Innis
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
EU Contractors for this event
Tel: +32 2 545 6615
E mail: loic.vaninnis@ogilvy.com