Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) is an independent non-for profit association bringing together European learned societies and scientific research organisations, operating throughout all disciplines and across all research sectors. ISE supports all fields of science and technology (including the humanities and social sciences) all over Europe, involves active researchers in the design and implementation of European science policies and advocates sound independent scientific advice in the development of European policies. ISE has been instrumental in promoting disruptive excellence-based funding programmes for scientific research and played a central and decisive role in the creation of the European Research Council (ERC).