ERC awards first starting grants The selection procedure for the first European Research Council (ERC) starting grants has been completed, providing 300 young researchers with the financial means to establish themselves as independent research leaders. The call elicited over 9,000 applications. The succes... The selection procedure for the first European Research Council (ERC) starting grants has been completed, providing 300 young researchers with the financial means to establish themselves as independent research leaders. The call elicited over 9,000 applications. The successful candidates represent over 30 nationalities and are based in around 170 different institutions in 21 countries. The average grantee is 35 years old. 74% of those selected are men. One recipient is Martin Bergö of the Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Sweden, who will receive about €1.7 million towards the approximately €300 million needed for studies into cancer and accelerated ageing in children suffering from progeria. 'This grant means that we are regarded as occupying the absolute cutting edge of European research in our field, and it is important for both the Sahlgrenska Academy and Göteborg University,' Associate Professor Bergö commented. 'For me personally the grant means that I can focus more closely on my research during the next five years and expand my research team.' Dr Reinhard Kienberger and Dr Tobias Kippenberg, two scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, are also among the grantees. While Dr Kippenberg will explore the emerging field of cavity optomechanics and aim at developing a novel method to detect label-free real-time single molecules of biochemical interest, Dr Kienberger's successful proposal revolves around the extension of attosecond metrology to condensed matter. The announcement of the recipients wraps up the first year of operation of the ERC. 'This highly successful first year of the ERC, a European body still in its infancy, demonstrates Europe's capacity to move ahead and meet the challenges of international competition in science and research,' said European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. 'The shared commitment to science and research across the European institutions, the Member States and the scientific community has enabled the ERC to establish itself in record time and to make a tangible contribution to the careers of researchers as well as to Europe's attractiveness to the very best scientific talent,' he added, congratulating the grantees. ERC President Professor Fotis Kafatos called the selection a milestone in the endeavour to convert the vision of a pan-European Research Council into an exemplary institution. 'Recognising all contributors to this success, I thank particularly Commissioner Potocnik for his unwavering support; the more than 9,000 candidates who took on the challenge; and over 800 scientists and scholars from throughout the world who participated as peer reviewers for the ERC,' said Professor Kafatos, announcing that the ERC would strive to further improve its procedures. The next call will be published in summer 2008.
