December 3, 2025Open Access

ERC-Plus: jackpot science or missed chance to fix academia?

Key Points

ERC-Plus introduces a new funding model aimed at ambitious projects, but success rates are alarmingly low at 0.5%.
Critics note that although ERC supports all career stages, the competitiveness of the funding undermines accessibility to researchers.
This analysis part appreciation, part concern, offers reflections on challenges posed by ERC-Plus to Europe's research ecosystem.
The changing dynamics in academic funding suggest a reevaluation of how research initiatives are structured and supported.

Abstract

My reflections on ERC-Plus, Europe’s newest ultra-competitive research grant and what it tells us about the academic culture we’re building. The European Research Council (ERC) has long been a gold standard for scientific excellence — funding bold high-risk / high-gain ideas and ambitious scientists across career stages. So when news broke of ERC-Plus, a new €7 million mega-grant scheme “for projects that go beyond,” I was curious. Then I did the math. And like many colleagues, I started asking questions. This post gathers my reflections — part appreciation, part concern — on what ERC-Plus might mean for the research ecosystem in Europe. First, credit where it’s due But then the numbers hit… A 0.5% success rate is not a badge of honor “Open to all career stages” — but really? ERC used to lead on culture. What happened? Final thoughts: more money, wrong model

ERC-Plus: jackpot science or missed chance to fix academia?

Key Points

Abstract

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