Catalyst for Discovery
Empowering Europe's brightest minds through pioneering research funding.
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About the ERC
A Pillar of European Research
The European Research Council (ERC) is a distinguished public body dedicated to funding scientific and technological research conducted within the European Union (EU). Established by the European Commission in 2007, it operates as a crucial component of the EU's research and innovation framework programs, notably Horizon 2020.
Core Purpose
The ERC's fundamental mission is to foster excellence in scientific research across Europe. It supports pioneering projects initiated through a bottom-up, investigator-driven approach, recognizing that the most impactful discoveries often emerge from curiosity-driven exploration rather than predetermined thematic priorities.
Prestige and Recognition
ERC grants are widely regarded as among the most prestigious accolades for academics in Europe. The rigorous peer-review process ensures that only the most innovative and high-potential research proposals are funded, conferring significant status and visibility upon successful grantees and their institutions.
Mission and Principles
Frontier Research
The ERC champions frontier research, encouraging high-risk, high-reward proposals that possess the potential to revolutionize scientific understanding and technological innovation. This commitment to groundbreaking work is central to its operational philosophy.
Excellence and Independence
A cornerstone principle of the ERC is that grant applications are evaluated solely on the criterion of peer-reviewed excellence. This ensures impartiality, free from political, geographic, or economic considerations. Researchers from any nation are eligible, provided their research is conducted within the EU or associated countries.
Global Reach, European Base
While ERC funding supports research conducted in Europe, it actively encourages top researchers from around the globe to establish their base and conduct their work within the European Research Area. This fosters international collaboration and attracts global talent.
Historical Context
Genesis of the ERC
The concept of a pan-European funding mechanism for fundamental research evolved over time. Initial interpretations of EU treaties limited funding to applied research supporting industry. However, the Lisbon Declaration and advocacy by figures like Commissioner Philippe Busquin spurred a reinterpretation, recognizing the need for enhanced support for all types of science, including basic research, to foster a knowledge-based economy.
Establishment and Growth
Following extensive deliberation and reports from expert groups, the ERC was formally established as a flagship component of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research. Its launch in 2007 was met with enthusiasm, hailed as a significant advancement for European science, fostering an environment for groundbreaking ideas and collaboration.
Organizational Structure
Scientific Council (ScC)
The ERC is governed by its independent Scientific Council (ScC), comprising 22 distinguished researchers, including Nobel laureates. The ScC is responsible for setting the ERC's scientific strategy, defining annual work programs, designing peer review systems, and engaging with the scientific community. Its members are appointed by the European Commission based on recommendations from an identification committee.
Executive Agency (ERCEA)
Operational support for the Scientific Council is provided by the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA), located in Brussels. The ERCEA manages the peer review process, implements the ERC's strategy, handles financial operations, and conducts communication efforts. It is staffed by professionals, many holding PhDs, ensuring a deep understanding of research processes.
Integrated Governance
To ensure a cohesive institutional framework, the ERC operates with an integrated governance model. The ERC President, based in Brussels, works closely with the ERCEA Director. The ERC Board, composed of the President, Vice-Presidents, and the ERCEA Director, oversees strategic coordination.
Grant Schemes
Primary Grants
The ERC offers several core grant schemes designed to support researchers at different career stages:
Supporting Innovation
Beyond primary research funding, the ERC provides additional schemes:
Grant Scheme Overview
This table summarizes the key grant schemes offered by the ERC:
Budget and Peer Review
Funding Allocation
Under Horizon 2020 (2014โ2020), the ERC was allocated a substantial budget of โฌ13.1 billion, a significant increase from its initial โฌ7.5 billion under FP7 (2007โ2013). This funding supports thousands of researchers and their teams across Europe.
Peer Review Excellence
The ERC's peer-review process is paramount, ensuring scientific rigor and community confidence. It is divided into three major domains: Physical Sciences and Engineering (PE), Life Sciences (LS), and Social Sciences and Humanities (SH). Each domain is further segmented into specialized panels led by distinguished Chairs.
Global Evaluation
The ERC draws upon a global pool of experts for its peer review. Approximately 900 panel members and 2,000 external reviewers worldwide contribute to the evaluation process, making it one of the most international assessment systems of its kind.
Domain Budget Allocation
The budget is distributed across the three scientific domains as follows:
Grant Success Rates
Starting Grants Success
The success rate for Starting Grants reflects intense competition, with a significant number of applications evaluated each year. The chart below illustrates the distribution of granted, refused, and unevaluated applications over several years.
- Granted
- Refused
- Unevaluated
Consolidator Grants Success
The Consolidator Grant scheme also faces significant competition, with success rates varying annually. The chart below visualizes the outcomes for applications over recent years.
- Granted
- Refused
- Unevaluated
Advanced Grants Success
Advanced Grants, targeting established leaders, also demonstrate high demand and rigorous selection. The following chart illustrates the application outcomes over recent years.
- Granted
- Refused
- Unevaluated
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding research funding, grant applications, or scientific strategy. Always refer to the official European Research Council documentation and consult with qualified experts for specific needs.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.