Mapping ERC Frontier Research: Report on ERC Proof of Concept grants
An ERC analysis of Proof of Concept (PoC) funding for the years 2014-2023 proves the impact of this funding scheme.
An ERC analysis of Proof of Concept (PoC) funding for the years 2014-2023 proves the impact of this funding scheme.
PoC-funded researchers are, on average, five times more likely to file patents than those who hold ERC frontier research grants without PoC funding. PoC support has facilitated the creation of start-ups and promoted active collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industry partners. These projects also serve as a springboard for additional investment, having attracted over €200 million in follow-up funding. PoC grantees are responsible for 40 percent of all EIC Transition applications and receive nearly half of the awarded grants. According to the report, PoC funding demonstrably encourages researchers to bridge the gap between frontier science and early-stage commercialisation.
PoC funding provides ERC grantees with up to €150,000 to validate and commercially exploit their research results — often during early validation phases. Between 2014 and 2023, 1,731 projects across 30 countries were funded, with a total budget of €259 million.
In terms of their relation to the main ERC grant, most PoC projects originate from Starting Grant holders (39.5 percent), followed by Consolidator Grant holders (38 percent) and Advanced Grant holders (21.5 percent). The majority of PoC funding is awarded in the field of Physical and Engineering Sciences. Key thematic areas include health technologies (43 percent), advanced materials (17 percent), AI and ICT (13 percent), quantum technologies (12 percent), and green technologies (10 percent).
The ERC NCP also provides advice on PoC funding.