The European Research Council (ERC) will award €624 million in Advanced Grants to researchers who win the competition in 2021.
The money will be handed to a total of 253 distinguished European academics, according to a news release issued by the European Research Council.
In response to the most recent call, 1,735 persons applied, with women accounting for 20.8 percent of those who applied. 14,6 percent of the 1,735 applications were approved for funding.
According to the ERC, the proportion of women researchers awarded Advanced Grants has increased from 10% in 2014 to more than 25% in the most recent competition.
Researchers from 21 EU Member States and countries involved with the Horizon Europe programme will finish their projects in universities and research centres throughout 21 EU Member States and countries affiliated with the Horizon Europe programme, representing 28 nationalities.
Grants have been awarded to researchers from the following countries:
61. Germany
45. United Kingdom
46. Netherlands
26. France
According to the press release, “their work is expected to provide new insights into many subjects, including using mathematics to find better ways to use antibiotics and chemotherapy, protecting the biodiversity of islands, exploring the Cosmic Dawn, and understanding how the sounds of our languages change over time.”
On this occasion, ERC President Maria Leptin welcomed new grantees in the most recent round of Advanced Grants, emphasising the necessity of sponsoring qualitative research to keep Europe “at the scientific vanguard.”
Meanwhile, Mariya Gabriel, the European Commission’s Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, remarked that prizes enable Europe’s creative minds to put their ideas into action.
“Their pioneering work contributes to addressing the most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges,” Gabriel said.
According to the press release, the latest round of funding will support around 2,300 postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. students, and other workers.
The European Union established the ERC in 2007, and it is Europe’s primary funding body for cutting-edge research. It gives financing to researchers of different nationalities and ages across Europe to assist them complete their studies.
ERC Advanced Grants are given to outstanding scientists and academics working in any area at a stage in their careers when they are already recognised as research leaders.
The ERC has a budget of more than €16 billion for the years 2021-2027 as part of the Horizon Europe programme, the EU’s flagship funding effort for research and innovation, which has a budget of €95.5 billion.