GAP Insights Summary:
The latest report on the European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept (PoC) Grants underscores their outsized impact on innovation and commercialization, despite representing just 1% of the ERC’s total budget (€259 million from 2014–2023). Targeted exclusively at ERC grantees, these grants bridge the critical gap between breakthrough academic research and its application in society or the market.
Key findings include:
•High Return on Investment: With 1,700 projects funded, PoC grants have catalyzed significant innovation and commercialization outcomes, particularly in health biotechnologies and medical technologies (43% of the portfolio), as well as advanced materials, AI/ICT, quantum technologies, and green innovation.
•Cross-sectoral Impact: Projects have delivered solutions far beyond their original scientific intent, such as adapting astronomy algorithms for medical diagnostics and using astrophysics advances in cancer detection.
•Catalyst for Further Funding: PoC grants serve as a launchpad for additional public and private investment, with grantees attracting over €200 million in follow-up funding, notably through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition scheme. Nearly half of successful EIC Transition applicants previously held an ERC PoC grant.
Strategic Implication: The ERC PoC model demonstrates the value of targeted, small-scale investments in accelerating the translation of frontier research into market-ready solutions and attracting further investment. This approach offers a replicable model for university gap funds and accelerator programs seeking to maximize impact with limited resources.
Full story: ERC Proof of Concept Grants: Targeted investment, big innovation return |ERC
