European Research Council (ERC)

NEWS: The ERC Scientific Council has listened to the concerns from members of the research community about changes to the re-submission rules, intended to manage the surge in demand for grants. The Scientific Council will readjust some of the changes: link.europa.eu/TBqRQJ

On the International Day of Light we highlight the research by ERC grantee Michael Grätzel @EPFL_en which pushed solar-cell efficiency from a few % to nearly 26%, helping power new solar technologies and sustainable electronics ☀️ 🔗 bit.ly/3OYMnDZ #lightday2026

Meet Inta Mieriņa, Ambassador for the ERC from Latvia 🇱🇻 Have a look why she became an Ambassador for the ERC and read more about her research: bit.ly/3Ph3rF6 #Amb4ERC

Just a little under a week until the #CopernicusFestival: 📍Kraków, PL 🗓️19-24/05 More than 20 ERC grantees and 8 ERC panel members will engage with the public to bring frontier research closer to society through science 🔗 bit.ly/ERCatCopernicu… With the support of @NCBR_pl

Are you a researcher based in 🇺🇲 or 🇨🇦 interested in pursuing curiosity-driven research in 🇪🇺 ? Join ERC and Euraxess for a webinar exploring ERC funding opportunities! 📅 20 May 2026 🕚 11:30 AM ET | 8:30 AM PT 💻 Online Find out more and register: bit.ly/4d7FM1P

On this International Day of Plant Health, ERC grantee Peter Brodersen @koebenhavns_uni is reshaping how we understand plant antiviral defence, with implications for crop resilience and sustainable agriculture 🌱 🔗 bit.ly/3OhV6QS #PlantHealthDay

The ERC was proud to join the #EUOpenDay on 9 May as part of the Social Fairness Village 🇪🇺 A day full of inspiring conversations about frontier research, science, and the impact of EU-funded research on everyday lives. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success!

How did plants survive the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs? New research from Yves Van de Peer @VIBLifeSciences suggests whole-genome duplication helped flowering plants survive environmental crises, including the asteroid impact 66m years ago. 🔗 link.europa.eu/t6gdx3

Data is concentrated in a few hands and history explains why. ERC-funded research led by Simone Turchetti (@OfficialUoM), shows how decades of data systems built in the West still shape who controls and benefits today. 🔗 bit.ly/48xQnSp #ERCMagazine #ScienceDiplomacy

As many European countries celebrate Mother’s Day, we highlight Oscar Vilarroya's ERC-funded research @UABBarcelona which shows pregnancy triggers lasting brain reorganisation, linked to hormonal changes and adaptation to motherhood. 🔗 bit.ly/4ndTSU9 #FrontierResearch

What happens when science is free to ask any question? It leads to discoveries we didn’t plan for – but now depend on. This #EuropeDay, we support #ProtectWhatMatters, celebrating the freedom that makes frontier research possible. 👉 bit.ly/4toSHTf @EUScienceInnov

Democracy isn’t guaranteed, it’s built and defended. ERC grantee Rachel Gibson @OfficialUoM shows how tech is shaping political campaigns, from social media to AI, boosting engagement but raising risks around trust. 🔗 bit.ly/4kTOtjL #ProtectWhatMatters

On #WorldOvarianCancerDay, let's have a look at Claudia Allemani's ERC-funded project. She analyses why survival rates for breast, ovarian and cervical cancers differ so dramatically around the world. Read more about the results: bit.ly/48MCYGc

We would also like to thank the outgoing committee members for their dedicated work and valuable contribution to safeguarding the excellence and independence of the ERC.

The European Commission has appointed the new members of the ERC Identification Committee. This independent committee plays a key role in identifying and recommending appointments of future members of the ERC Scientific Council. More information: research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/news/all-resea…

Independent scientific research contributes to a better understanding of democratic systems. 215 ERC-funded projects examine disinformation, polarisation, participation, and institutional trust across Europe. 👉 bit.ly/4u4AFGx #ProtectWhatMatters

#ScienceDplomacy in action 🌍 ERC Synergy Grants teams work together across borders to tackle global challenges - from political complexities and phosphorus security to resilient water systems. @WaterFuturesERC @ERCImbalanceP More in #ERCMagazine 🔗bit.ly/4tCPK2g

To speed up the Sustainable Development Goals #SDGs, we need frontier research, innovation ecosystems & scientific data — plus stronger collaboration to turn knowledge into action. –@ERC_Research President @mleptin at #STIForum 🇺🇳 #TECH4SDGs

📢 ERC Plus Grant webinar 🗓 2 June | 15.00 CEST What is it & who is it for? Join ERC President Maria Leptin + Philippe Cupers for insights into this new funding scheme. 🎥 Live + Q&A: youtube.com/live/p92AWykYJ… 🔗 More: erc.europa.eu/news-events/ev… #ChooseEurope #HorizonEurope

Live from NYC at 14.15 CEST: Around UN Forum on Science, Tech & Innovation on SDGs - join our hybrid session!🌍 'Frontier science for SDGs: Turning breakthrough research into global action through GSDR 2027' At @EUatUN, with @ISC & ERC. Register here: erc.europa.eu/news-events/ev…

🌊 The High Seas Treaty isn’t just about protecting oceans. Alice Vadrot (@univienna) shows science became part of the negotiations, shaped by power, access, and inequality. Who produces knowledge shapes who benefits. 🔗 bit.ly/4tc0xQc #ERCMagazine #ScienceDiplomacy