AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER

The European Research Council (ERC) has announced that 33 ERC grantees will receive top-up funding (worth up to €150,000 each) for conducting research projects which aim to bridge the gap between their pioneering “blue sky” research and marketable innovation.

According to the press release, the funding can cover activities aimed at commercial and societal applications, such as intellectual property rights, investigation of commercial and business opportunities or technical validation. The funding is for up to one year per project.

This is the first set of grants approved by the ERC, which has a budget of nearly €5 million. Today’s grants will fund research projects across 15 European countries. A second call for ERC funding will be announced, and the deadline for the researchers interested is on 3 October. Overall, the total budget for the full call is €10 million.

The funded projects cover various topics in domains such as neurosciences, engineering, architecture and human rights. For instance, one researcher explores ways to develop a tablet PC, which could be used by both clinicians and family members to detect consciousness after coma in real-time while another one aims to commercialise flexible and stretchable electronics to equip eco-friendly vehicles.

Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said about the research projects and ERC contribution. “The European Research Council’s ‘Proof of Concept’ initiative has already helped over 140 researchers to test the market potential of their ERC-funded frontier research. Bringing the best ideas to market is what will keep Europe competitive, and that in turn means jobs.” Moreover, ERC President Professor Helga Nowotny added. “Despite the small part of the ERC budget put into the ‘Proof of Concept’ scheme, it represents an important step towards innovation…The increase in demand for these grants is a positive signal showing that ERC-funded researchers are ready to contribute towards societal benefits.” neurope