The European Research Council (ERC) has announced a 4bn euro (£2.9bn) grant programme for "exceptional" researchers across Europe. The Advanced Grants scheme is envisioned as the flagship funding programme of the ERC through to 2013.

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The Board of ERC has confirmed the 24 teams from six countries who will compete in the 2007 / 2008 Heineken Cup.

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A European Rugby Cup meeting on Tuesday in Dublin is expected to announce the Heineken Cup will go ahead next season. A deal is close to being brokered that will see the tournament continue in its current format, with the leading English and French clubs.

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French clubs have confirmed they are to boycott next season's Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup, putting the tournaments' futures in serious doubt. England's top clubs are set to follow suit after saying they would withdraw if the French clubs pulled out.

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The Heineken Cup has been plunged into crisis after French clubs said they would boycott next year's competition. France's leading 14 teams say the row in England between the Rugby Football Union and Premiership clubs has led to uncertainty over the event's future.

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