European Research Council awards Synergy Grants worth 571 million euros

Fifty-seven research groups will receive a total of €571 million to address some of the most complex scientific problems, covering a wide range of disciplines. The ERC Synergy Grants foster collaboration between outstanding researchers, enabling them to combine their expertise, knowledge and resources to push the boundaries of scientific discovery. This funding is part of the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.

 

Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: ‘Innovation thrives on collaboration, especially when tackling the pressing scientific challenges of our time. The ERC Synergy Grants work with Horizon Europe funding to connect brilliant minds across borders and disciplines, enabling them to push the frontiers of knowledge together. I am particularly delighted to see researchers from countries with historically fewer ERC grants among the awardees, reflecting our mission to foster scientific excellence across Europe.’ 

Ensuring that concrete in buildings and bridges is both environmentally friendly and resilient; studying the nitrogen cycle of our oceans and its impact on the climate; or looking at how digital technology can help bring communities together: these are just a few examples of the issues that the new winners of this round of synergy grants will explore.

Applicants submitted 548 proposals in this call. The 57 winning projects involve 201 researchers who will carry out their projects at 184 universities and research centres in 24 countries across Europe and beyond: Germany (with 34 projects), the UK (18), France (13), the US (12), Spain (11) and Netherlands (10) are hosting the highest number of projects. Six projects involve researchers based in Czechia (2 projects), Greece (1), Hungary (1), Poland (1) and Portugal (1) – countries that have so far hosted fewer ERC grants.

 

More information: European Research Council