The European Research Council (ERC) calls its programme simply “Ideas”. Behind the name lies Europe’s biggest development programme for innovative research. The ERC has two lines of funding: the “Advanced Investigator Grant” is an award given to established researchers at the end of each year. The purpose of the “Starting Independent Researcher Grant” announced in August is to support promising young research talent. The sole selection criterion for the ERC Grants is scientific excellence. The ERC’s funding programmes are aimed at all subjects and disciplines, and are open to all topics. Interdisciplinary project proposals, the exploration of new scientific fields and the use of innovative methods are particularly welcome.

Ten projects win awards

Ten Zurich-based projects met these criteria. Six researchers at ETH Zurich and four scientists at the University of Zurich will each receive around EUR 1.5 million for their projects in the next five years. Zurich could even receive one more grant in late October with one project being placed on the reserve list. One of the grants awarded went to a project in which scientists are developing new computer software designed to help gain a better understanding of the geological processes in the Alps or Himalayas. Another research project is studying the question of how to handle information that no longer conforms to the laws of established classical information theory.

Roland Siegwart, Vice President Research and Corporate Relations at ETH Zurich, says “There was great rejoicing when five talented young researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich were honoured with grants last year – the fact that the number of award winners has now doubled is fantastic. Of course we hope that these ERC Starting Grants will also spur on other researchers to top performances.” Daniel Wyler, Pro-Rector Medicine and Natural Sciences at the University of Zurich, is also happy: “We are very proud that our talented young researchers have been so successful in applying for this major scientific distinction. This says a lot about Zurich as an excellent research location.”

All the award-winning researchers

ETH Zurich:
Prof. Anastasiou Charalampos, Institute for Theoretical Physics
Dr. Nicolai Cramer, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry
Dr. Boris Kaus, Institute of Geophysics
Prof. Vikram Panse, Institute of Biochemistry
Prof. Renato Renner, Institute for Theoretical Physics
Prof. Shana J. Sturla, Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health

University of Zurich:
Prof. Grégoire Courtine, Experimental Neurorehabilitation Laboratory
Prof. Ian Frew, Institute of Physiology
Dr. Giacomo Indiveri, Institute of Neuroinformatics
Prof. Roland Sigel, Inorganic Chemistry Institute