© AERG
ERC grant pressure driven by chronic underfunding, ERC grantees say

The Association of European Research Council Grantees (AERG) and the Ambassadors for the ERC network have stated that the real problem behind the massive increase in the number of applicants to the ERC lies not in the ambition of researchers, but in chronic underfunding. The two networks…
Domain(s): Institutions
• Category(ies): Essentials Institutions, Advocacy groups , European commission, …
• News # 441061
• Published on 13/05/26 at 16:42
© Pexels
Number of students doubled in 20 years globally, mobility tripled but geographical inequalities remain

The number of students enrolled in higher education worldwide has more than doubled over the past two decades and international mobility has tripled over the same period, but serious geographical inequalities remain, according to the first Higher Education Global Trends Report from the United…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Advocacy groups , State, …
• News # 440783
• Published on 12/05/26 at 11:44
©  UK Prime Minister Office
UK and EU announce start of negotiations on UK participation in European Innovation Council Fund

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, have agreed to commence negotiations on UK participation in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, including the Scaleup Europe Fund. The announcement was made on 04/05/2026 after a…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Research Funding Organisation (RFO), …
• News # 439967
• Published on 04/05/26 at 14:33
©  FREDDIE EVERETT
João Gomes Cravinho appointed Rector of the College of Europe

The College of Europe has appointed João Gomes Cravinho as Rector for a renewable five-year mandate. Cravinho’s appointment was decided by the Administrative Council of the College of Europe on 30/04/2026, following the proposal of its Academic Council. Ewa Ośniecka-Tamecka will continue…
Domain(s): Institutions
• Category(ies): Essentials Institutions, Universities, Careers, …
• Appointment # 439964
• Published on 04/05/26 at 13:42
©  D.R.
Georgi Dimitrov joins Roxana Mînzatu's cabinet as expert for education and skills

Georgi Dimitrov has taken up the post of Member of the Cabinet to the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu. Dimitrov announced on 01/05/2026 that he would step down from his position as Head of Unit for…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Careers, …
• Appointment # 439937
• Published on 04/05/26 at 12:31
©  Vivian Hertz / Research Matters
ERC revises changes to eligibility criteria for grant competitions

After announcing new restrictions on reapplying for European Research Council grants, the ERC Scientific Council has decided to revise some of the changes. On 29/04/2026, the ERC Scientific Council said it "has listened to the concerns from members of the research community about the recent…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Research Performing Organisation (RPO), …
• News # 439735
• Published on 30/04/26 at 14:17
©  CC
Trump fires all 22 members of the National Science Board

US President Donald Trump has fired the 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB), an entity that establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent agency supporting fundamental research and education in all non-medical fields of science and engineering. US…
Domain(s): Politics, Institutions
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Advocacy groups , Research Funding Organisation (RFO), …
• News # 439637
• Published on 29/04/26 at 16:01
©  D.R.
Stephen Collins appointed Director of European Research Executive Agency

The European Commission has appointed Stephen Collins as Director for the European Research Executive Agency (REA) in Brussels on 28/04/2026. He will replace the acting director, Paul Webb, on a date to be confirmed. Collins, a British national, is currently Head of Unit for Corporate…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Careers, …
• Appointment # 439500
• Published on 28/04/26 at 17:48
©  European Union
When will the "Phoney War" over the EU's future research programmes end? By Simon Taylor

You will sometimes hear Brits of a certain age talk about the “Phoney War”. This is a reference to the period between Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland in September 1939 and May 1940, when British troops faced the Wehrmacht and were forced to retreat across the Channel. Please forgive the…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Council, European commission, …
• Analysis # 433527
• Published on 10/03/26 at 17:39
©  Pixabay
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges calls receive 709 requests for total funding of €131 million

The European Innovation Council (EIC) announced that it had received 709 proposals for its new Advanced Innovation Challenges calls for proposals. In total, applicants requested €130.7 million in funding on 09/03/2025. The two calls closed in February 2026. The first focused on projects aimed…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Companies, European commission, …
• News # 433327
• Published on 09/03/26 at 17:58