ERC awards €590 million to top European researchers

Since its launch in 2007, the European Research Council (ERC) has awarded billions of euros to researchers throughout Europe as part of the EU’s FP7 scheme. Today, the Council have awarded €590 million in their ‘Advanced Grants’ call to 266 individual researchers.

The ‘Advanced Grants’ scheme is aimed at senior research leaders and looks to encourage ‘blue sky’ research across Europe. Despite offering an increased number of grants this year, the success rate of applicants actually decreased because of the 26% increase in applications (from 2009). Interestingly, just 9% of successful applicants are female and the average age of the researcher is 54. British, German and French nationals have been the most successful in terms of numbers.

Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan Quinn said: "The European Research Council has now funded over 1700 top researchers, both early-career and senior, across Europe. This latest wave of ERC funding for world-class researchers to do pioneering work at the frontiers of knowledge will help to spark new discoveries and in turn feed the EU's Innovation Union, of which the ERC is an integral part. This kind of investment in excellence is imperative for Europe if we are to compete in the global scientific and economic arenas and deliver on our Europe 2020 objectives of sustainable growth and jobs".

ERC President Prof. Helga Nowotny commented: "We are quite excite about the continued and growing attraction of the ERC grants and notice the increase in demand in this call, especially since the quality of proposals remains first-class. We also observe a growing number of highly distinguished scientists, including Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners, among the selected candidates. I would like to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all those, who make it possible to maintain such a high level of scientific excellence: the members of the evaluation panels and the remote reviewers, as well as the Scientific Officers of the ERC Executive Agency whose highly professional support is crucial. Their continuing dedication is the most valuable asset that the ERC provides to European science and the European Research Area."

For further information about this call or about the ERC’s other grants (including ‘Starting Grants’ for young researchers), please visit their website.

Published: Thursday, 20th January 2011 by Adelle Kehoe