ERC starting grants 2009: 15 grants at Dutch research universities and institutes

In the 2009 call for the ERC starting grants, 15 researchers at Dutch research universities and research institutes have been awarded the prestigious grants. The grants support top early-career researchers in establishing or consolidating their own research team. Part of the EU 7th Framework Programme, the starting grants are selected in three domains, viz. life sciences, physical sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities. They are worth up to 2 million euros and can last up to five years.

With 6% of all selected proposals coming from Dutch research universities and institutes, the Netherlands occupy an excellent shared 5th position.