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Nature 439, 640-641 (9 February 2006) | doi:10.1038/439640c; Published online 8 February 2006

Political strife set to delay EU funds

Quirin Schiermeier

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European Research Council faces problematic beginning.

A power struggle between the European Parliament and member states of the European Union (EU) threatens to delay the start date of the EU's next funding programme for research — and that of its new flagship funding agency, the European Research Council (ERC).In December, the EU's 25 heads of government agreed a total budget for 2007–13, including a 75% increase in research spending by 2013.