ABSTRACT
Scientific growth and an expansion of secured knowledge is one of the general goals of science. A cultural structure of the European Research Area (ERA) designates norms and objectives outlined in the respective policy documents of supranational scope. This chapter clarifies what is meant by 'supranationality' in research funding; how, in the history of European science policies, its cultural goal shifted from transnational cooperation to scientific 'excellence'; and which type of 'frontier knowledge' should be created. It also outlines how the European Research Council (ERC) as an institution became a means to realize the ERA's economic aims; how it is organized in relation to external actors such as the European Commission and internally structured by different organs; and how its persistent influence on European science is culturally authorized and legitimized. The ERA's 'excellence' focus continues to feed back current processes of science policies, resulting in a restructuring of the European research landscape.
