Applications for the European Research Council’s Starting Grants have grown from 2,873 in 2010 to 4,080 this year, a 42 per cent increase. The EU’s funding body for basic research will distribute €670 million to 480 scientists, a 15 per cent budget increase over last year. Success rates range from 9.4 per cent in the social sciences and humanities to 13.1 per cent for physical sciences and engineering.