Established in 2007, the European Research Council (ERC) is Europe’s premier institution for funding groundbreaking frontier research across all fields of science without predefined thematic restrictions. The ERC’s primary objective is to support the most outstanding and creative researchers from any nationality or age group. The ERC funds researchers at various career stages through four main types of grants:

• ERC Starting Grant for supporting the initiation of independent research careers;
• ERC Consolidator Grant for strengthening the independence of mid-career researchers;
• ERC Advanced Grant for established research leaders with a track record of significant achievements;
• ERC Synergy Grant for facilitating collaborative research across disciplines.

Additionally, the ERC offers Proof of Concept (PoC) funding, designed to bridge the gap between pioneering research and its initial steps toward commercialization or societal application.

To date, the ERC has funded over 12,000 leading researchers and engaged more than 75,000 PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and other collaborators in its projects. The ERC aims to attract top scientists from around the world to conduct their research in Europe, further solidifying the continent’s position as a global leader in science.

JSI and the ERC

At the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), we recognize the critical role of pioneering research in advancing science, technology, and society. As Slovenia’s leading research institution in natural and technical sciences, we actively participate in ERC-funded projects to enhance scientific excellence and fulfill our mission of generating and disseminating knowledge at the highest level. Since 2012, JSI has successfully secured 13 ERC projects. These projects enable groundbreaking research, the development of new technologies, and interdisciplinary collaboration while attracting scientists from around the globe. ERC-funded projects are vital to JSI’s international recognition and competitiveness, fostering partnerships with leading global institutions and shaping the future of science in Slovenia and Europe.