"Frontier research leads to progress on the biggest challenges facing humanity" (Maria Leptin, ERC)

"ERC-funded researchers advance knowledge and contribute to ambitious goals for climate objectives and green transitions. Frontier research, by giving the best researchers the freedom to investigate what they find groundbreaking, leads to progress on the biggest challenges facing humanity. Supporting frontier research is essential", says Maria Leptin, president of the ERC, on the occasion of the ERC Annual Conference, on 05/12/2024.

This year, the conference is dedicated to "frontier research within and beyond the planetary boundaries", which are tools to monitor the well-being of the planet. R&I play a key role in tracking the health of the planet and addressing the ecological, economic, and social impacts of exceeding planetary boundaries. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights gaps in our understanding of climate change and emphasises the need for systemic transformations.

"Bridging these knowledge gaps and enabling these transitions requires multiple scientific approaches. By investing heavily in research over the next decade, scientists will have the…