ERC white paper on widening participation | Use of AI in ERC proposal evaluation | AI in health report | Science stories

[Henningsen Susanne]

  26 March 2026

	
ERC EC

European Research Council

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      ERC News


        ERC calls for stronger action to close Europe’s research
        performance gap

The ERC Scientific Council released a white paper addressing the 
participation and success rate gaps between Europe’s strongest research 
systems and 'widening countries'. It highlights challenges, showcases 
progress, and urges coordinated national and European efforts to 
optimise scientific potential.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929683/en/2869>


        ERC clarifies limits on AI use in grant evaluation

The ERC Scientific Council has adopted new guidelines clarifying how 
artificial intelligence may be used in the evaluation of ERC grant 
proposals. The guidance rests on two core principles: non-delegation of 
evaluation and strict protection of confidentiality.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929686/en/2869>


        New report: Frontier research for AI in health

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in 
innovation in health research and healthcare, from prevention and early 
detection to diagnosis, treatment and long-term disease management. This 
report presents an in-depth analysis of how ERC-funded frontier research 
is advancing AI-based approaches across the health domain.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929684/en/2869>


      ERC President News


        Speech on academic freedom at the UK Royal Society

Professor Maria Leptin warned of the current decline of academic freedom 
in the Cara 2026 Science and Civilisation lecture at the Royal Society 
in London on 5 March 2026. Watch the recording.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929687/en/2869>


        Speech at the European Parliament ITRE committee

ERC President advocated for investment in frontier research during the 
public hearing on Horizon Europe 2028-2034 at the Committee on Industry, 
Research and Energy of the European Parliament on 26 February 2026. Read 
the speech.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929688/en/2869>


      Science Stories


        When policies pile up

>From climate change to social inequality, governments keep adding new 
laws and programmes – but rarely clear out older ones. Christoph Knill 
studies this ‘policy accumulation’ and explores how an ever‑growing 
rulebook can quietly overload the state and undermine the policies 
citizens depend on.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929689/en/2869>


        Bringing the Venetian archipelago to digital life

Hidden beneath the calm surface of the Venice lagoon lies a forgotten 
urban archipelago. Historian Ludovica Galeazzo is piecing it back 
together with advanced digital tools, revealing how these islands once 
sustained Venice’s power.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929690/en/2869>


        Antiprotons from CERN antimatter factory make their first road trip

Scientists at CERN have transported antiprotons across the site using a 
portable device, demonstrating a new way to handle antimatter. Developed 
under an ERC-funded project, this approach could enable more precise 
experiments in other laboratories.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929693/en/2869>


        Decades-old chemistry mystery solved

Scientists in Sweden and the US reported the first-ever direct 
observation of a type of short-lived molecule that has shaped decades of 
thinking in atmospheric chemistry, combustion research and biomedical 
science. 'This compound is the equivalent of the Higgs boson for the 
oxidation chemistry community’, says Barbara Noziere.

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929691/en/2869>


      Other


        FRONTIERS call for science journalists

An initiative funded by the ERC invites science journalists worldwide to 
apply for immersive residencies at European research institutions. 
Lasting between three and five months, this offers an opportunity to 
explore frontier research across diverse disciplines, including the 
social sciences and humanities. Deadline: 25 May 2026 (17.00 CEST)

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929694/en/2869>


      ERC Calls


        Proof of Concept Grants

Deadline: 17 September 2026

more <https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/erc/redirection/item/929703/en/2869>

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