Our Terms & Conditions | Our Privacy Policy
44
In a strategic move to bolster Europe’s position as a global leader in science and innovation, the European Research Council (ERC) has confirmed a significant increase in funding aimed at attracting top international researchers to the continent.
The announcement, made in Brussels on Saturday, marks a renewed commitment by the European Union to ensure that its research ecosystem remains competitive in an increasingly globalised and high-stakes scientific landscape.
Under the revised scheme, the ERC will provide enhanced grants, relocation support, and institutional incentives to draw leading academics, innovators, and early-career researchers from outside the EU and associated countries.
“Europe must be the destination of choice for the world’s brightest minds,” said Maria Leptin, President of the ERC. “By increasing funding and streamlining access for researchers from around the globe, we are strengthening our knowledge base and accelerating our capacity to solve global challenges — from climate change to public health and quantum computing.”
The new funding package will see a 15% increase in the ERC’s budget for its Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grant programmes, with a specific focus on applicants relocating from outside the European Research Area (ERA). For institutions that successfully host such researchers, additional funding will be available to support infrastructure, team development, and collaborative networks.
The move comes amid growing competition for talent, particularly from research powerhouses such as the United States, China, and Australia. In recent years, Europe has faced criticism for bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistent funding landscapes that can deter world-class researchers from making the move.
The ERC’s new approach seeks to address these concerns directly. Alongside increased financial incentives, the Council is also launching a “Fast Track Europe” pilot scheme — a streamlined visa and residence application process for non-EU grantees and their families, coordinated in collaboration with national governments.
The timing of the ERC’s funding expansion is not incidental. As global scientific cooperation has become increasingly politicised — with tensions rising over issues such as data sovereignty, research ethics, and geopolitical alliances — Europe is positioning itself as a neutral, high-quality hub for international research collaboration.
The Horizon Europe programme, under which the ERC operates, has already proven a major draw for international cooperation. With this latest announcement, EU officials hope to reinforce the bloc’s status as a beacon for open science.
“We must remember that science knows no borders,” said Leptin. “But if we don’t actively create the conditions to attract the best minds, we risk falling behind.”
The response from the academic world has been broadly positive. Dr. Ayesha Khan, a leading neuroscientist from Pakistan currently conducting research in Canada, said the announcement could tip the balance for many researchers contemplating a move to Europe.
“Funding is a huge factor, but so is administrative ease,” Khan said. “If the ERC delivers on both fronts, it will absolutely make Europe more attractive.”
Universities and research institutions across the continent have also welcomed the news. The League of European Research Universities (LERU) issued a statement praising the ERC for “prioritising excellence, mobility, and international openness at a time when these values are under threat globally.”
However, some experts caution that funding alone will not be enough. Dr. Erik Svensson, a policy analyst with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, noted that long-term success will depend on member states harmonising visa policies and investing in research infrastructure.
The ERC’s decision underscores a broader EU strategy of using research and innovation as drivers of economic resilience and geopolitical relevance. With global scientific leadership increasingly tied to strategic technologies, from artificial intelligence to green hydrogen, the EU is making clear that it intends to stay at the forefront.
In the words of Commissioner Ivanova, “The discoveries of tomorrow depend on the investments we make today.”
As the competition for talent heats up, Europe is placing its bet — not on walls or restrictions, but on openness, excellence, and opportunity.
Post Views: 523
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
Comments are closed.