The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Consolidator Grants of 2 million euro to three Radboud University and one Radboudumc researchers. Only Germany, France and the UK managed to secure more grants.

This funding round, the ERC is distributing a total of 678 million euros in grant money to experienced researchers in 25 EU countries and 20 other countries that contribute to the Horizon Europe research programme.

There were 2,313 grant applications this year, of which 328 (14.2 percent) were successful. With 67 Consolidator Grants, Germany is head and shoulders above the rest. The 37 grants secured by the Netherlands puts it almost on par with France and the UK, which each received 38 grants.

In Nijmegen, Evan Spruijt, Robbert Krebbers, and Harm Schoorlemmer are receiving a European grant. All three work for the Faculty of Science (FNWI). Additionally, neuroscientist Emma Sprooten from Radboudumc is receiving a consolidator grant.

Consolidator Grants allow recipients to set up their own research teams. The ERC estimates that this round will fund some 2,750 postdocs, PhDs and other staff.

Waste of talent

This year, the Council had 51 million euros more to distribute compared to 2023. ERC president Maria Leptin regrets that despite this increase, many researchers will miss out this year. ‘This waste of talent can only be avoided if Europe invests more in fundamental research.’

The Horizon programme will likely have to cut 2.1 billion euros from its budget over the next three years, although the final word on this has not yet been spoken.