The European Union is committed to leading the world in science and technology, not just in laboratories but also in the real world
At the centre of this ambition is the European Research Council (ERC), known for funding groundbreaking, curiosity-driven research.
ERC’s Proof of Concept (PoC) grant initiative helps close the gap between cutting-edge discoveries and practical applications, transforming new ideas into market-ready innovations.
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, innovation is essential. Europe is pushing to build more complex innovation ecosystems than ever before.
Policies like the New European Innovation Agenda and reports such as the Draghi Report and Heitor Report show the need for:
- Stronger support systems for researchers
- Smoother pathways from lab to market
- Funding that targets early-stage, high-risk ideas
The ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) scheme perfectly meets this need. With grants of €150,000, it supports projects that explore:
- Technology transfer
- Prototyping and product validation
- Intellectual property protection
- Stakeholder engagement and business planning
These early steps are crucial to unlocking the real impact of scientific research.
ERC PoC: A decade of impactful innovation
Since its launch in 2011, the ERC PoC scheme has funded over 2,100 projects, investing more than €320 million in turning research into innovation.
The 2025 report, “Exploring the Innovation Potential of ERC-Funded Research,” takes a closer look at 1,731 Proof-of-Concept (PoC) projects funded between 2014 and 2023, revealing powerful trends and outcomes.
Who’s leading the way?
Geographical reach
PoC projects are spread across 30 EU and associated countries. The top grant recipients (over 200 each) include:
- Germany
- The UK
- Spain
- France
- The Netherlands
- Italy
When adjusted for population size, Israel, the Netherlands, and Cyprus emerge as the top performers, showing strong innovation performance relative to their size.
Smaller institutions are also making a big impact. For example:
- University of Twente (Netherlands)
- Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel)
- Karolinska Institute (Sweden)
Innovation across sectors
Health technologies dominate the portfolio, making up 43% of PoC projects. But the scheme supports a wide range of fields:
- Advanced manufacturing and materials – 17%
- AI, data, and ICT – 13%
- Quantum technologies and semiconductors – 12%
- Green innovation – 10%
- Social innovation and creative industries – 5%
Many projects blend disciplines—such as combining AI with regenerative medicine or photonics with environmental monitoring. This demonstrates the ERC’s strong commitment to interdisciplinary impact.
The PoC scheme is more than just funding. It gives researchers the tools to explore the real-world potential of their ideas. Many projects go on to:
- Secure patents
- Attract investors
- Launch successful spin-off companies
As Europe looks to strengthen its innovation leadership, the ERC PoC program is proving to be a smart investment in the future.
Innovation outcomes: Startups, patents, and investment
One of the most successful aspects of the PoC grant is the outcomes it creates. The report revealed that PoC grantees are more likely to launch spinoff companies.
A survey conducted in 2020 found that 50% of Proof of Concept (PoC) holders had either launched their own companies or contributed their innovations to existing ones. However, only 7% of grantees who did not receive PoC funding reported similar activities. In 2022, a total of 47 startups were established as a result of PoC projects, with the majority located in France, Italy, Spain, and Israel.
From labs to Lives: PoC success stories in health and beyond
The report highlights several examples of success stories that demonstrate the importance of ERC PoC funding. These examples from the report demonstrate how funding can transform high-risk ideas into solutions with commercial value.
1- Health Innovations
- ALS Vaccine (DPR-VAX). This targets protein aggregates associated with ALS.
- Cancer Microenvironment Engineering. This team, led by Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos, was able to develop biomedical strategies to reduce tumour stiffness.
- Macrophage-based drug delivery (AGAINST). Biotech spinoff and new cell-based treatment for ovarian cancer.
2- Medical Technologies
- Endometriosis diagnostic device (EndoSolve). The non-invasive diagnostic tool was created by Martin O’Halloran’s team and spun off OnaWave Medical to commercialise it.
- Portable stroke imaging (StrokeMonitor) 3D super-resolution ultrasound scanner, helping to advance stroke diagnosis.
- Cochlear diagnostics (CochSyn). A project led by Sarah Verhulst led to the development of early hearing damage diagnostics.
3- Quantum and Photonics
- Graphene-based cancer microscopy (GSYNCOR).
- Optical manipulation of single cells (LUCERO). The integration of microfluidics and AI to allow single-cell analysis in biomedical research.
Maria Leptin, ERC President, said: ‘Proof of Concept Grants may be small in size, but their impact is big. They help researchers take bold steps beyond academia, turning scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions. This report shows just how powerful, and often serendipitous, the link between excellent research and innovation can be when we support curiosity-driven ideas with the right tools.’
A scalable model for Europe
These success stories demonstrate how ERC PoC grants can lead to high-impact outcomes. With a focus on research, adaptability across sectors, and measurable returns on innovation, PoC exemplifies how Europe can leverage advanced science to achieve global leadership in innovation.
