The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the results of its latest ERC Advanced Grant competition, awarding €721 to 281 researchers across Europe
These grants, funded under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, will support high-risk, high-reward projects designed to push the frontiers of knowledge and innovation.
Research across disciplines
The ERC Advanced Grant are among the most competitive and respected research awards in the world.
Targeted at senior researchers with established track records of significant achievements, these grants provide up to €2.5 million to allow them to pursue bold and transformative ideas.
This year’s winning proposals encompass a broad range of disciplines. Projects include the development of a preventive vaccine for hereditary breast cancer, research into how lifestyle factors like diet and exercise affect brain cells involved in ageing, and the creation of advanced AI digital twins that replicate human cognition and social skills. Some grantees will also explore the hidden subsurface oceans of Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons, contributing to our understanding of life beyond Earth.
Grants awarded across 23 countries
The selected projects will be hosted in 23 different EU Member States and Horizon Europe-associated countries. The UK leads with 56 funded projects, followed by Germany (35), Italy (25), the Netherlands (24), and France (23). Grantees represent 32 nationalities in total, showcasing the ERC’s international reach.
More support for scientists moving to Europe
In a significant boost to talent attraction, the ERC is enhancing its support for scientists relocating to Europe. As part of the “Choose Europe for Science“ initiative, additional start-up funding for researchers moving from outside Europe is being doubled, from up to €1 million to up to €2 million. This additional funding will help establish laboratories and recruit research teams.
The increased support applies immediately to the 2025 ERC Advanced Grant competition, which is currently open for applications, with the submission deadline closing on August 28, 2025.
Impact on jobs and innovation
In addition to promoting scientific excellence, the newly awarded grants are expected to generate approximately 2,700 jobs within the teams of successful grantees. These roles will range from postdoctoral researchers to lab technicians, providing opportunities for early-career scientists and technical staff.
Many of the funded projects also have long-term potential for social, economic, and environmental impact, reinforcing Europe’s role as a global leader in research-driven innovation.
Restrictions for Swiss applications
While Switzerland and the EU have reached an agreement for the Swiss association to Horizon Europe, it does not yet apply to this funding round. As a result, applicants based in Switzerland cannot currently sign grant agreements under the 2024 Advanced Grant call unless they move their projects to eligible institutions within the EU or other associated countries.
Established in 2007, the European Research Council is the leading funding body in Europe for frontier research. Operating independently under the Horizon Europe framework, the ERC offers Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, and Synergy Grants, as well as a Proof of Concept scheme to support commercialisation. With a total budget of over €16 billion between 2021 and 2027, the ERC remains a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to maintain global scientific leadership.
