A new independent study on the output of frontier research funded by the ERC shows that 79% of projects were of major impact: 19% led to a breakthrough and 60% to a major scientific advance. Almost half of the projects have already left their mark on the economy, society and policy-making, whilst around three quarters are foreseen to do so on the medium- and long-term. Published today, the analysis confirms the results announced in 2016 and 2017, with even a certain increase in overall impact in the latest study. It also demonstrates the top quality of the research supported by the ERC.
The study was conducted on a random sample of 223 Starting and Advanced Grant projects from a pool of 470 completed projects. The analysis was carried out by 25 panels consisting of three to four independent high-level scientists each. The evaluators addressed questions related to, for example, scientific and other impact, the development of new methodologies, and interdisciplinarity.
What is ERC?
As part of the H2020 Programme, ERC's mission is to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields, on the basis of scientific excellence. The ERC's mission is to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields, on the basis of scientific excellence. The ERC's mission is to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields, on the basis of scientific excellence.
Being 'investigator-driven', or 'bottom-up', in nature, ERC grants are awarded through open competition to projects headed by starting and established researchers, irrespective of their origins, who are working or moving to work in Europe. ERC grants are awarded through open competition to projects headed by starting and established researchers, irrespective of their origins, who are working or moving to work in Europe. ERC grants are awarded through open competition to projects headed by starting and established researchers, irrespective of their origins, who are working or moving to work in Europe.
ERC Key Facts & Figures: https://erc.europa.eu/projects-figures/facts-and-figureshttps://erc.europa.eu/projects-figures/facts-and-figureshttps://erc.europa.eu/projects-figures/facts-and-figures
For more information about the study result: https://erc.europa.eu/news/impact_study_breakthroughs_major_advances
Link to Study: https://erc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/document/file/2018-qualitative-evaluation-projects.pdf