The number of scientists outside Europe who won a European Research Council (ERC) grant for senior researchers has more than doubled this year following the launch of the “Choose Europe for Science” initiative.
The ERC has awarded a total of €838 million (£330 million) to 319 senior researchers around the world under its advanced grants scheme, which supports established scientists.
Thirteen of the winners are currently based outside Europe, compared with just four in the previous year. Nine are from the United States, two from Australia and two in Canada.
The ERC also reported a sharp rise in applications from researchers outside the EU. A total of 164 researchers applied for the grants in 2025, up from 44 last year. Overall, it received a record 3,329 proposals, up 31 per cent last year. The success rate was 9.6 per cent this year.
The UK is the largest host destination for the grants, with 62 projects based at its universities and research centres, more than any other country, despite no longer being an EU member. This is followed by 46 in Germany, 32 in Switzerland, 29 in Spain and 26 in France.
