More U.S. Researchers Secure European Research Council Grants

U.S. researchers have secured an increased number of European Research Council (ERC) grants, despite the European Union having reduced funds available compared to the previous year. This rise in U.S. participation coincides with a record demand from researchers outside Europe for the ERC's early-career programs.

Why it matters

This trend highlights the growing international competitiveness for prestigious research funding and the global mobility of scientific talent. It indicates that European research funding mechanisms remain highly attractive to researchers from outside the continent, even when overall funding decreases.

Key insights

• A greater number of U.S. researchers are successfully obtaining European Research Council grants.
• The ERC's early-career researcher program is experiencing unprecedented demand from non-European applicants.
• The European Union's financial allocation for these grants is lower than the previous year.

Source

Inside Higher Ed — https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty/research/2026/09/04/more-us-researchers-secure-european-research-council-grants