European Research Council launches grants worth €210 million for "visionary science in Europe"

The European Research Council (ERC) has launched the inaugural competition for its ERC Plus Grants, with a dedicated budget of €210 million under the ‘Choose Europe' initiative.

Announced on 02/06/2026, the grants are designed to "boost ambitious and transformative research in Europe" and "reinforce Europe's position as a global centre for scientific excellence, attracting and retaining the world's top scientific talent", the ERC said.

The Council added that the approximately 30 expected grants in this first competition will provide up to €7m per project over a maximum of seven years, supporting researchers of any nationality whose ideas "have the potential to redefine entire fields of study".

“Europe has all the ingredients to remain a global leader in science: world-class researchers, strong institutions and a commitment to academic freedom. With the new ERC Plus Grants and the broader ‘Choose Europe' initiative, we are ensuring that Europe not only retains its brightest minds but also becomes the destination of choice for the best scientific talent worldwide," Ekaterina Zaharieva…