On April 28, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium, the Association of ERC Grantees (AERG) and the European Research Council (ERC) launched the new “Ambassadors for the ERC” network on the occasion of an event organized shortly after the end of the ERC Scientific Council plenary meeting. Attended by ERC president Maria Leptin and by AERG president Axel Cleeremans, vice-president Karin Roelofs, and board members Liuba Papeo and Toma Susi, the event closed a fruitful day of interaction between the ambassadors, the AERG, and the ERC communications unit (represented by Samantha Christey, Bryony Baker and Martin Penny). The collaborative initiative brings together members of the Association of ERC grantees to advocate for fundamental research in Europe, to support the action of the ERC, and to help AERG help grantees and applicants all over Europe and associated countries.
A total of 32 recipients of ERC grants have been appointed as Ambassadors for the European Research Council. The group includes :
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17 women and 15 men
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Researchers from 21 EU Member States and five Associated Countries: Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom
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Experts in a variety of disciplines, including life sciences, social sciences and humanities, and physical sciences and engineering
The ERC Ambassadors will advocate for curiosity-driven, PI-led research in Europe, interacting with policymakers, the media, and regional research groups to highlight and promote its importance, thus reinforcing ERC’s vision. They will collaborate with the ERC National Contact Points (NCPs), whose primary responsibility is to offer guidance, practical information, and support to local researchers.