It’s a good day for European science thanks to the €652 million that is awarded to 255 researchers through a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant. Among the lucky ones are four KNCV members and one NVBMB member.  

The ERC Advanced Grant is one of the funding instruments of the European Research Council (ERC) and aims to provide established, leading scientists with a proven track-record the opportunity to set up ambitious, curiosity-driven research projects.  

A total of 1829 proposals were submitted in this round, out of which 255 eventually made it across the finish line; a success rate of just under 14%.  

An ERC Advanced Grant amounts to a maximum of €2.5 million, most intended to create research positions. It is estimated that this round will lead to almost 2,500 new jobs for (young) researchers.  

Belgium and the Netherlands saw 9 and 23 proposals honoured, respectively, across the three categories: Physical Sciences and Engineering, Life Sciences and Social Sciences and Humanities.