Note: on 1 January 2023, Université de Rennes 1 became the University of Rennes. All prizes and distinctions awarded before this date were awarded to Université de Rennes 1 or its research partners.
The European Research Council's Funding Programme
Since 2007, the European Research Council (ERC) has provided individualised support to scientists of all ages and nationalities wishing to conduct profoundly new research. In particular, the ERC funds projects that span beyond disciplinary boundaries, as well as pioneering ideas in new and emerging research areas, for applications initiating unconventional and innovative approaches.
The projects selected for ERC funding were selected on the basis of international expert advice, with excellence (of the applicant and the project) as the sole criterion.
The ERC offers three main types of grants depending on the career advancement of the researchers: Starting, Consolidator or Advanced Grants. These grants are awarded for a maximum period of five years and, where appropriate, ERC laureates may apply for an additional year of funding dedicated to maximising the results of ERC projects. These grants are called "Proof of Concept".
In Rennes, the Plateforme projets européens (2PE) - Bretagne informs potential applicants about the terms and conditions of the ERC calls for proposals and supports the application files of lecturers and professors employed by the universities or schools on the site. Researchers employed by research organisations (CNRS, INRIA, INRA, etc.) are supported by the dedicated structures and services of these organisations.