421 research projects funded.
The European Research Council has awarded €705 million to 421 early-career researchers selected through its latest starting grant competition.
The funding will enable the development of new scientific projects and the creation of working groups at European universities and research centers. The activities will cover a variety of fields, from life sciences to engineering, to social sciences and humanities.
The call attracted strong interest, with 4.807 proposals submitted. Only 8,8 percent of applications were awarded funding, confirming the program's highly selective nature.
The selected projects will be hosted in 25 European Union Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. The successful applicants also include researchers currently based outside Europe who will relocate to the EU or associated countries to continue their work.
The new grants will also help create over 3.000 jobs in research groups. Those moving to Europe will also be able to apply for additional support of up to €2 million to start laboratories or new scientific teams.
The measure is part of Europe's commitment to strengthening frontier research, attracting scientific talent, and supporting new generations of scholars.