European Research Council (ERC) week: UCL celebrates funding success

This week, the European Research Council (ERC) celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special 'ERC Week', with subsequent events taking place throughout Europe in 2017. Among the most prestigious grants in Europe, ERC funding is only awarded to academics at the frontier of research, with several Nobel laureates among past grant-holders. This celebration is especially timely, because UCL has just been awarded its 175th ERC grant with six new Advanced grants awarded. Just two weeks ago, six academics netted a total of '15 million of funding, demonstrating the importance of the continued success of UK universities in securing EU funding post-Brexit. This builds upon several years of UCL achievement in attracting ERC grants. Professor David Price, UCL Vice-Provost (Research), said: 'Given the current uncertainties around the UK's future relationship with Europe, I am immensely proud that UCL is punching above its weight, securing vital EU funding for hundreds of academics to carry out frontier research. It is particularly pleasing to see such a range of disciplines funded, which is testament both to the scale and breadth of talent at UCL and of the importance of a funding stream focused on excellence across the research endeavour.' The ERC has made a significant contribution to frontier research at UCL, with funding totalling just over '283 million and accounting for 45% of all European Commission funding.