European Science Foundation (ESF)

Founded in 1974, the European Science Foundation is an umbrella organisation for national funding organisations and research institutions, with the objective of reinforcing scientific co-operation in Europe. The ESF is primarily a platform for science policy-making organisations but also offers researchers a whole series of funding schemes, which support cross-border research co-operation, networking and the expansion of infrastructures.

Each ESF activity is designed from the perspective of the research community. ESF categorises its activities by dividing them into three pillars.

1. Science Strategy
   Within this pillar, which aims to provide high-level and high-quality foresight and advice on science, research infrastructure and science policy issues, are activities such as Forward Looks, Member Organisation Fora, and Exploratory Workshops.
2. Science Synergy
   The instruments grouped here aim to bring together excellent scientists at all stages of their careers to advance the frontiers of research. These activities are EUROCORES, ESF Research Networking Programmes and ESF Research Conferences.
3. Science Management
   ESF also manages external programmes and takes a co-ordinating role in various EC-funded ERA-NETs.