The UK has regained the top spot for winning European Research Council (ERC) consolidator grants, with the country taking more mid-career awards than any other country for the first time since Brexit. Sixty-six researchers at UK universities have won the prestigious grants in the 2026 funding round, ahead of Germany (56 awards), the Netherlands (40 grants) and Spain (26 grants), it was announced on 9 December. ADVERTISEMENTOften hailed as the “gold standard” for European research, ERC grants are one of the most competitive awards on the continent, with only 11 per cent of 3,121 applications to the consolidator award system winning funding. Overall, Germany won the most awards (48) based on a researcher’s nationality, followed by Italy (37) and the UK (33). ADVERTISEMENTDespite its success in winning ERC grants, UK university leaders have nonetheless raised concerns that the country is struggling to win funding outside the “Pillar 1” stream dedicated to basic research.

Source: The Times December 10, 2025 04:19 UTC