The European Research Council (ERC) has recently announced the 57 research projects awarded with a total investment of €571 million through the ERC Synergy Grants. These projects span various fields, from astrophysics to regenerative medicine, and include seven initiatives involving Italian researchers. This recognition not only marks a significant step for European science, but also underlines the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Of the 201 awarded researchers, 32% are women, who will pursue their studies at 184 universities and research centers in 24 countries. Germany leads the pack with 34 projects, followed by the United Kingdom with 18 and France with 13. Erc Synergy Grants focus on interdisciplinary integration and the adoption of innovative methods. Each project can receive up to 10 million euros for a maximum duration of six years. Among the Italian initiatives, the “Custom-Made” project stands out, led by Elena Cattaneo of the University of Milan, dedicated to the development of stem cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Other notable projects include:
Multidisciplinarity and interaction between various scientific fields are key elements that have led to the success of the University of Milan. With this latest recognition, the university has received a total of 63 awarded projects from 2010 to today, for a total value of more than 65 million euros. Marina Brambilla, rector of the university, highlighted how the synergy between different skills can address the most complex challenges of the present. The awarding of the ERC Synergy Grants represents not only a victory for the individual researchers and institutions involved, but also a step towards a more cohesive and innovative scientific community. With the growing importance of international collaboration in scientific research, these initiatives could prove crucial to addressing the global challenges of the future.
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