The Centre for Research on Lifelong Learning based on indicators and benchmarks (CRELL) was established in order to gather expertise in the field of indicator-based evaluation and monitoring of education and training systems. CRELL combines fields of economics, econometrics, education, social sciences and statistics in an interdisciplinary approach to research.

CRELL became operational in August 2005. It is sponsored by the European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) and co-ordinated by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (DG JRC).
 
The Centre is hosted by the Unit for Econometrics and Applied Statistics of the Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen at the JRC in Ispra, Northern Italy.