With this funding, ERC researchers can test how their scientific work could impact the society.
Four Irish researchers have won Proof of Concept grants from the European Research Council (ERC).
Funding for the first round this year is worth more than €27m, and is divvied among 182 researchers with ideas that show potential for commercial or societal impact. Each individual grant is worth €150,000.
Some of the ideas include developing 3D-printed “bio-inspired” electronics, a tool to help doctors protect vital parts of the brain during surgery, or an advanced ready-made breast cancer vaccine.
University College Dublin (UCD) researcher Prof Niamh Nowlan is one such winner, who received ERC funding to further her work around new treatments for a broad range of paediatric growth disorders.
