ERC announces ‘blue sky’ grant winners
The European Research Council (ERC) has announced that 33 top researchers will receive up to €150,000 each to bridge the gap between pioneering ‘blue sky’ research and marketable innovation.
Scientists from 15 countries will receive funding for projects in sectors such as neurosciences, engineering, architecture and human rights. A total of €5m was awarded in the first round; applicants had to be already in receipt of an ERC grant.
Commenting on the announcement, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, said: “The ERC’s Proof of Concept initiative has already helped over 140 researchers to test the market potential of their ERC-funded frontier research. Bringing the best ideas to market is what will keep Europe competitive, and that in turn means jobs.”
The grants can cover activities aimed at commercial and societal applications, including intellectual property rights, investigation of commercial and business opportunities or technical validation. A total of 145 proposals were submitted to the call, with a success rate of around 24%.
ERC President Professor Helga Nowotny added: “Despite the small part of the ERC budget put into the Proof of Concept scheme, it represents an important step towards innovation. It encourages links between ideas that turn up in fundamental research and the opportunities offered by taking them further towards market. The increase in demand for these grants is a positive signal showing that ERC-funded researchers are ready to contribute towards societal benefits. This mindset and openness is needed in Europe.”
The funding is for up to one year per project. The second deadline for proposals in the 2013 call is 3 October 2013.
