CONFERENCE
This year there were 2,300 leading researchers taking part in the competition. The team of scientists lead by A. Ambainis represents the field of Hard Sciences and Engineering – there were 978 applications submitted, but financing was granted to 136 of them. With up to €2.5 million per project, the funding allows these scientists to pursue their most ground-breaking ideas.
The team of Latvian scientists will bring together computer science, physics and mathematics to assess the advantages and limits of quantum devices.
Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Mįire Geoghegan-Quinn said: "The ERC continues to identify the very best researchers. ERC funding is leading to an increasing number of scientific breakthroughs and discoveries, as well as more publications in recognised scientific journals. Promoting frontier research at the highest level is vital for Europe's competitiveness, and this is why we have proposed to increase the ERC budget as part of our Horizon 2020 programme."
In this Advanced Grant competition, some 2,300 applications were submitted to the ERC, which is a slight rise from that of the last year (4.5%). The call budget of €680 million also saw a minor increase. The number of researchers selected for funding rose slightly, from 294 to 302, while the success rate continues to be stable at 13%. The ERC grants are awarded to top researchers of any nationality/age, scientifically independent and with a recent research track-record and profile which identifies them as leaders in their respective field(s).
Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.
. For the first time this grant is also awarded to a Latvian researcher – Professor Andris Ambainis from the University of Latvia, Faculty of Computing (advantages and limits of quantum devices).){kind=link}