The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission's science and knowledge service which employs scientists to carry out research in order to provide independent scientific advice and support to European Union (EU) policy.
Leadership The JRC is a directorate-general of the European Commission under the responsibility of Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation. The current Director-General of the JRC is Bernard Magenhann. Its Board of Governors assists and advises the Director-General on matters relating to the role and the scientific, technical and financial management of the JRC.
Structure Composed of scientific, as well as strategy, resource and IT directorates, the JRC is spread across six sites in five EU countries: in Belgium (Brussels and Geel), Germany (Karlsruhe), Italy (Ispra), the Netherlands (Petten), and Spain (Seville).
Responsibilities Scientists at the JRC carry out research in various fields to provide independent advice to EU policymakers and put science at the heart of European policies.
The JRC was originally established under the Euratom Treaty, and the JRC has longstanding expertise in the nuclear field, but offers scientific competences from a wide range of disciplines to support almost all EU policy areas.
The JRC works with research and policy organisations in EU countries, European institutions and agencies, and scientific partners in Europe and worldwide.
History The JRC site in Ispra originally belonged to the Comitato Nazionale per l'Energia Nucleare (CNEN) and was officially transferred to the Community on 1 March 1961.History of the Joint Research Centre, Ispra Site. YouTube (21 December 2009). Retrieved on 2013-09-05. Since 1973, non-nuclear research evolved rapidly, especially in topics related to safety and the environment. After 16 years of research, the nuclear reactor at JRC IspraEssai Orgel (ESSOR), 1969. YouTube (30 July 2012). Retrieved on 2013-09-05. was shut down in 1983.
At the beginning of the 1980s, a re-examination of the mandate and evaluation of the activities of the JRC began. Future activities were to continue to support the commission's implementations of Community policies.
The JRC employs around 2700 staff with an annual budget of 372,5 million euros for 2017.
List of Directors General
Bernard Magenhann: current Bernard Magenhann (Acting): 2024-2025 Stephen Quest: 2020-2024 : 2014-2019 Dominique Ristori: 2010-2013. Roland Schenkel: 2005-2010 Barry McSweeney: 2000-2004 Herbert Allgeier: 1998-2000 Jean-Pierre Contzen: 1986-1997 Jean-Albert Dinkespiler: 1982-1985 New Scientist April 1982 Stelio Villani: 1974-1982
Science areas As of 2025, JRC research activities are clustered into 25 'portfolios', designed to support the priorities of the 2024-2029 European Commission:
AI and data Anticipation, risks, resilience Climate and water resilience Climate neutrality Democracy and public governance Demography and migration Digital transformation, cybersecurity Drivers of competitiveness Earth intelligence Energy solutions Foresight and innovative policymaking Global Gateway and neighbourhood Green and just transition Health Nuclear safeguards Nuclear safety and skills Security and law enforcement Small modular reactors Socio-economic and territorial impact Space, security and defence Strategic technologies for economic security Sustainable food systems Sustainable materials and products Transport and mobility Zero pollution and biodiversity
See also Horizon Europe European Research Area (ERA) European Research Council (ERC) European Institute of Technology (EIT) European Research Advisory Board (EURAB) Scientific Advice Mechanism
References
External links Joint Research Centre (JRC)