
Article 1 
The European Research Area Board, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Board’, is established with effect from 1 March 2008.
Article 2 

1. The tasks of the Board shall be the following:
(a) to advise the European Commission (the Commission) on the realisation of a European Research Area;
(b) to deliver opinions on the realisation of a European Research Area, at the request of the Commission, or on the Board's own initiative;
(c) to provide the Commission with an annual report on the current state of the European Research Area.
2. The Board shall be regularly informed on relevant developments and actions.
3. When formally requested by the Board, the Commission services shall provide written comments on the Board's opinions or advice. The Commission services may also provide regular information on the possible follow-up actions undertaken.
4. The Board's opinion shall be given within the time limit given by the Commission.
Article 3 

1. The Commission may consult the Board on any matter relating to the realisation of the European Research Area.
2. The Chairperson of the Board may advise the Commission that it is desirable to consult the group on a specific question.
Article 4 

1. The Board shall comprise 22 members representing the scientific community, the industry and civil society.
2. The members of the Board shall be appointed by the Commission. The set of criteria to be applied throughout the selection and nomination process is the following:
— experience in the design and implementation of research policy,
— excellence in research and/or research management,
— advisory experience on a European or international level,
— balance among science and technology disciplines including persons with specific university-industry experience,
— geographical balance, taking into account the countries associated with the framework programmes,
— appropriate gender balance.
3. Applicants deemed suitable for membership but not appointed may be placed on a reserve list, which the Commission may use for the appointment of replacements.
4. The members are appointed by the Commission in a personal capacity and shall advise the Commission independently of any outside influence.
5. Members shall inform the Commission in good time of any conflict of interests which might undermine their objectivity.
6. Members shall be appointed for a four-years-renewable term of office and shall remain in office until such time as they are replaced in accordance with paragraph 7 or their term of office ends.
7. Members may be replaced for the remainder of their term of office in any of the following cases:
(a) where the member resigns;
(b) where the member is no longer capable of contributing effectively to the group’s deliberations;
(c) where the member does not comply with Article 287 of the Treaty;
(d) where, contrary to paragraph 4, the member is not independent of all outside influence;
(e) where, contrary to paragraph 5, the member has failed to inform the Commission in good time of a conflict of interests.
8. The names of its members shall be published on the Internet site of the Directorate-General for Research.The names of members shall be collected, processed and published in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.
Article 5 

1. The Board shall elect a Chairperson and two Vice-Chairpersons from amongst its members by a simple majority.The Chairperson and the two Vice-Chairpersons will form the Bureau of the Board. The Bureau shall organise the work of the Board.
2. The Board may, with the agreement of the Commission, set up subgroups to examine specific questions under terms of reference established by the group. Such subgroups shall be dissolved as soon as their mandates are fulfilled.
3. The Commission may ask experts or observers with specific competence on a subject on the agenda to participate in the work of the Board, or in the deliberations or work of a subgroup, if, in the opinion of the Commission, this is necessary or useful.
4. Information obtained by participating in the deliberations or work of the Board or of a subgroup shall not be divulged if, in the opinion of the Commission, that information relates to confidential matters.
5. The Board and its subgroups normally meet on the Commission’s premises in accordance with the procedures and schedule established by it. The Commission shall provide secretarial services. Commission representatives may attend the meetings of the Board and of its subgroups.
6. The Board shall adopt its rules of procedure on the basis of a draft presented by the Commission.
7. The Commission may publish, or place on the Internet, in the original language of the document concerned, any summary, conclusions, or partial conclusion or working document of the Board.
Article 6 
The Commission shall reimburse travel expenses and, where appropriate, subsistence expenses for members, experts and observers in connection with the Board’s activities in accordance with the Commission's rules on the compensation of external experts.
The members of the Board, subgroups, experts and observers shall not be remunerated for the services they render.
Meeting expenses shall be reimbursed within the limits of the annual budget allocated to the group by the competent Commission department.
Article 7 
Decision 2001/531/EC, Euratom is repealed.
Article 8 
This Decision shall expire on 29 February 2012.
Done at Brussels, 7 December 2007.
For the Commission
Janez POTOČNIK
Member of the Commission