European Research Council Reverses Stricter Grant Rules After Researcher Outcry

The European Research Council (ERC), Europe’s most prestigious funder of basic research, has announced a significant policy reversal, scrapping stricter rules on grant reapplications just weeks after their introduction. This decision comes in response to a widespread and intense backlash from the research community, who voiced strong opposition to the proposed measures. Initially, on April 16, the ERC had moved to tighten restrictions on how soon researchers could reapply for funding after an unsuccessful attempt. The rationale behind this policy change was to help peer reviewers manage an ever-increasing volume of grant applications, all while operating with a static annual budget of approximately €2.3 billion (US$2.66 billion). The council aimed to streamline the evaluation process and reduce the burden on its expert panels. However, the proposed tightening of rules immediately sparked a huge outcry among researchers across Europe. Many expressed deep concerns that these stricter reapplication limits would disproportionately affect early-career scientists, potentially hindering their progress and making it more challenging for them to secure vital funding for groundbreaking projects. The scientific community argued that such measures could stifle innovation and create unnecessary barriers to research. The swift reversal by the ERC demonstrates its responsiveness to the concerns of the scientific community. While the immediate pressure from the new rules has been alleviated, the underlying challenge of balancing a high volume of ambitious research proposals with a fixed budget remains. Experts continue to emphasize the critical need for European funders to increase their capacity to truly meet the ambition and demands of the continent's scientists, ensuring that groundbreaking research continues to thrive without undue administrative hurdles.