The Advanced Grants from the European Research Council (ERC) are some of the most prestigious research funding that scientists at a European university can receive. With this funding, the ERC supports ambitious research with the potential to expand the boundaries of knowledge. Each of the grants is endowed with around 2.5 million euros (2.3 million Swiss francs), plus additional funding for research infrastructure if necessary.
The grants are awarded to established top researchers as part of an extremely competitive selection process in which the selection criterion is scientific excellence. Accordingly, the grants are also seen as a personal distinction and an indicator of outstanding scientific achievements. Researchers who receive an ERC Advanced Grant are the equivalent of footballers playing in the Champions League final.
“Switzerland needs lasting access to European research programmes”
This year, 12 such grants are going to professors from ETH Zurich, representing an exceptional achievement for the university. Since the ERC Advanced Grants were introduced, it has only ever received this many grants in a single round once before: in 2013. In the current round of funding, a total of 31.5 million euros (29.2 million Swiss francs) is coming to ETH.
“The outstanding findings obtained by our researchers represent a huge success for ETH Zurich. They underline the exceptional quality of their work and the attractiveness of our research environment,” says ETH President Joël Mesot. “To keep it that way, Switzerland needs lasting access to European research programmes.”