European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced the offer of a € 500 million additional budget to the European Research Council (ERC). This budget is supposed to go to a new ERC funding instrument offering larger, longer-term grants, also called ‘super grants’. The operational details of the new funding instrument are being developed by the Scientific Council of de ERC and will be announced in due course.
A grant for Scientific excellence
The super grants will follow the same principles as other ERC grants and will be selected on the basis of scientific excellence only. They will be available for all areas of research and open to individual researchers of any nationality, who are working at or are ready to move to a host institution in an EU member state or a country associated to the EU R&I framework programme Horizon Europe.
Choose Europe for Science initiative
The € 500 million is part of the Choose Europe for Science initiative. By investing in talent and fostering international collaboration, the EU aims to strengthen its position on the global stage while solving societal challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and health.
The Choose Europe for Science initiative is a call to action for researchers at all career stages to explore the opportunities Europe provides. It also reflects Europe’s openness, inclusity and commitment to scientific freedom.