Six UU researchers will receive 1.5 million euros each

This round has an extremely low success rate, but scientists from Dutch universities and research institutes have secured 34 European Starting Grants of up to 1.5 million euros. In total, the European Research Council (ERC) is allocating 705 million euros for 421 Starting Grants this year. These grants enable researchers to set up their own research projects, assemble a research team and develop scientific ideas.

Utrecht performs well
Together, UU and UMC have been awarded five grants. A sixth UU researcher has also been awarded a grant, although the application was made through the University of Bonn. The applicant, Peter Koymans, has been working at Utrecht University since 2024 and will spend the funds there.

The six UU researchers are Olia Kanevskaia (Faculty of Law, Economics & Governance), Peter Koymans (Faculty of Science), Deni Mazrekaj (Faculty of Social Sciences), Yichen Rao (Faculty of Social Sciences), Kimberly Siletti (UMC) and Evita Wiegers (UMC).

UU's website features detailed profiles of the winners and their research.

The Netherlands
This year, the Netherlands received 34 grants, making it the fifth most successful country. Germany leads the way with 88 grants, followed by the United Kingdom (47 grants), France (38) and Switzerland (36). Other Dutch institutions with several researchers who have received a grant include the Delft University of Technology (5), Radboud University Nijmegen (4), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) (4), VU Amsterdam (3), Eindhoven University of Technology (2) and Erasmus University Rotterdam (2). Other universities and research institutions received one research grant each.

Success rate
The Starting Grants received a record number of applications this year: 4,807. That's nearly 1,000 more than last year. 8.8 per cent of applicants were awarded a grant. The success rate has thus reached an all-time low in the nearly twenty years since the Starting Grants were launched. In 2025, the success rate stood at 12.2 per cent because slightly more funding was available. 

Other grants
Many researchers based outside Europe applied for a Starting Grant this year, as the ERC has allocated additional funding to attract top international talent. The budget was increased when the US President Donald Trump launched an attack on academic freedom in his country. 

A total of 21 researchers currently working outside Europe have been awarded a Starting Grant, of whom 20 are from the United States. With this funding, they can set up a research team at a European research institution. The ERC also awards Consolidator Grants for more experienced scientists (2 million euros) and Advanced Grants for top scientists (up to 2.5 million euros).