What happened
The European Research Council (ERC) announced the creation of a new thematic evaluation panel, designated PE12, focused on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence. This panel will begin operating under the EU’s future Research and Innovation framework programme, specifically starting with the 2028 calls. The decision responds to the growing volume of AI-related proposals currently submitted to the general Computer Science panel (PE6). The new panel will evaluate basic research into AI foundations, methods, and theories, including machine learning, reasoning, computer vision, and natural language processing, while excluding domain-specific applications.
The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the establishment of a new thematic evaluation panel, PE12, dedicated to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence. This panel will be introduced starting with the 2028 calls under the EU’s future Research and Innovation framework programme.
The decision is driven by the significant increase in AI-related project proposals submitted to the existing Computer Science evaluation panel (PE6). The ERC states that AI has developed into a major and rapidly expanding area of computer science, necessitating a dedicated scientific context for evaluation.
The scope of the new PE12 panel is limited to fundamental and basic research aimed at advancing the foundations, methods, and theories of artificial intelligence. This includes areas such as machine learning, reasoning, intelligent and autonomous systems, computer vision, natural language processing, generative and multimodal AI, and the mathematical and statistical foundations of AI.
Proposals focusing on the application of AI in specific domains will not be evaluated by PE12 and should instead be submitted to other relevant panels. This distinction ensures that the new panel remains focused on the core scientific underpinnings of the field.
Source details: erc.europa.eu ↗
Why it matters
This structural change signals a formal recognition of AI as a distinct and major field of computer science within Europe's premier research funding body. By creating a dedicated panel, the ERC aims to ensure that AI proposals are evaluated by experts in a dedicated scientific context, potentially improving the rigor and relevance of funding decisions for foundational AI research. This move aligns with broader European efforts to maintain competitiveness in AI research by streamlining the evaluation process for a rapidly expanding field.
The creation of a dedicated AI panel reflects the ERC's acknowledgment of AI's status as a distinct and critical area of computer science. This structural change is intended to improve the quality and relevance of peer review for AI research by ensuring that proposals are assessed by experts with specific knowledge in the field.
By separating fundamental AI research from general computer science evaluations, the ERC aims to address the challenges posed by the growing volume and complexity of AI proposals. This could lead to more nuanced and informed funding decisions, potentially enhancing the impact of ERC-funded AI research.
This move is part of a broader trend in European research policy to prioritize and support AI development. It aligns with efforts to strengthen Europe's position in global AI research by providing a clear and dedicated pathway for funding foundational AI work.
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What to watch next
Researchers should monitor the specific eligibility criteria and scope definitions for the PE12 panel as they are finalized for the 2028 calls. It will be important to observe how the boundary between 'fundamental' AI research and 'applied' AI is drawn in practice, as this will determine which projects are directed to PE12 versus other panels. Additionally, the impact of this new panel on the overall funding landscape for AI in Europe, particularly regarding the balance between basic and applied research, will be a key area of interest.
The specific guidelines and eligibility criteria for the PE12 panel will be crucial for researchers to understand how to structure their proposals. Clarifications on what constitutes 'fundamental' versus 'applied' AI research will be particularly important.
The impact of the new panel on the overall distribution of ERC funding within the computer science field will be worth monitoring. It may influence the types of AI research that receive funding and the balance between basic and applied projects.
The response of the research community to the new panel, including any feedback on the scope and evaluation process, will provide insights into its effectiveness and potential areas for adjustment.