Image: Efraimstochter, via Pixabay
Researchers with Spanish host institutions snag 12 of 66 awards
Spain has topped the table for hosting the most researchers who won funding in the latest round of the European Research Council’s Proof of Concept Grants, set to host 12 out of 66 awards.
The €150,000 awards are designed to help researchers find socioeconomic applications for basic research previously funded by the ERC.
The funder announced on 27 July that, after the 12 researchers wanting to work in Spain, nine wanted to work in Germany and eight in the UK.
The allocation was the second for the Proof of Concept scheme in 2023, bringing the total number of awards for the year so far to 132.
“The selected researchers will delve into a wide spectrum of topics,” the ERC said. About 58 per cent of projects are linked to physical sciences and engineering, 33 per cent to life sciences, and 9 per cent to the social sciences and humanities.
Project focuses include reducing the carbon footprint of artificial intelligence and mobilising social media users to tackle online hostility.
There is one more 2023 call for the Proof of Concept scheme, which has a total budget for the year of €30 million.