Tags

The European Research Council (ERC) is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It has been a key component of the EU’s funding programmes for research and innovation since it was set up in 2007. It gives its grantees the freedom to develop ambitious research projects that can lead to advances at the frontiers of knowledge and set a clear and inspirational target for frontier research across Europe. The ERC funds a rich and diverse portfolio of projects in all fields of science, selected without any predefined academic or policy priorities. These projects can have an impact well beyond science and provide frontier knowledge and innovation to help solve societal challenges and inform EU policy objectives. This report gives an overview of curiosity-driven research on biodiversity funded by the ERC and highlights connections with EU policies for the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

This report highlights how ERC funded researchers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their scientific processes, and how they see its potential impact by 2030. It summarises the findings of a foresight survey conducted among ERC grantees, which focused on their present use of AI and their views on future developments by 2030, potential opportunities and risks, and future impact of generative AI in science.