Brussels, 31/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 6 February, the European Research Council (ERC) announced the final 34 projects, of a total of 67, to receive grants that could be worth up to €150,000 as part of the “Proof of Concept” scheme. These grants will go to “blue sky” projects that are not just attractive on the theoretical level but also show, throughout their development, significant potential for fast-track development towards the marketing phase. With these 67 grants, researchers now have to demonstrate the feasibility of their projects.
Of the 67 projects, 33 had ready been selected in the first phase of the scheme in September 2013. The 34 projects that have just been selected cover very different areas: from exploration of the molecular foundations of psychiatric disorders to technological innovations that could help rescue skiers caught in avalanches or measure extreme waves. Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, the president of the ERC, said that this kind of funding scheme for “blue sky” projects “is most welcome as it helps push the best fundamental research towards the market. In my view, it is a truly original path taken by Europe to prompt innovation”. (JK/transl.fl)