Innovation is central to Europe’s strategy for global competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy. A new report highlights the dynamic landscape of technological and sectoral innovations emerging from frontier research supported by the European Research Council (ERC). It demonstrates how such research is fueling innovation across industries and society - helping the EU strengthen its position as a global hub for scientific entrepreneurship.
Supporting the journey from discovery to application
Europe’s ambition to lead in innovation is reflected in high-level initiatives such as the New European Innovation Agenda and influential analyses such as the Draghi Report and the Heitor Report. These policy documents underline the need for a stronger innovation ecosystem, better funding coordination, and a sharper focus on turning scientific excellence into tangible impact.
The ERC contributes directly to this effort through its Proof of Concept (PoC) funding scheme. Open exclusively to ERC-funded researchers, it helps them take the first steps in translating discoveries into practical applications – whether in the market or for broader societal benefit.
Since its launch in 2011, PoC funding has played a vital role in bridging the gap between frontier research and real-world use. It provides targeted support for early innovation activities, including prototyping, market analysis, patenting, and stakeholder engagement.
Curiosity as a driver of innovation
Unlike applied research, which starts with a specific problem to solve, curiosity-driven research - supported by the ERC - is motivated by a desire to explore the unknown and answer fundamental questions. This freedom empowers researchers to pursue bold ideas and unexpected directions, often leading to discoveries that transform entire fields.
Many of today’s most transformative technologies - such as the Internet, MRI scanners, and gene editing - have their roots in this kind of exploratory research. By investing in curiosity-driven science, the ERC helps ensure that Europe remains a source of new knowledge and breakthrough innovation, ready to tackle current and unforeseen challenges.
Innovation across sectors
The newly published report highlights the results of Proof of Concept (PoC) funding between 2014 and 2023. During this period, 1 731 projects across 30 EU and Associated Countries were supported, with a total investment of €259 million.
Reflecting the ERC’s commitment to diversity in innovation, these projects involve ERC grantees of 56 different nationalities, with 22% of projects led by women.
A distinctive strength of PoC funding is its support for cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary innovation. Health biotechnologies and medical technologies make up 43% of projects and frequently intersect with advances in AI, materials science, and advanced manufacturing.
The breadth of innovation supported by PoC is wide-ranging - from climate technologies to regenerative medicine and from quantum breakthroughs to social innovation.
A launchpad for growth
ERC support for early innovation has proven to be a powerful catalyst for scientific
commercialisation. PoC grantees are five times more likely to file patents than those
with ERC main grants alone. Many have gone on to:
- Launch start-ups
- Actively collaborate with SMEs and industry
- Secure follow-up funding
Notably, PoC grantees have attracted over €200 million in additional support through instruments such as the European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition Grants. Nearly half of all successful EIC Transition applicants previously held a PoC grant - demonstrating the scheme’s vital role in preparing research-based technologies for market readiness.
Read the report
