The European Commission announced the 536 early-career top researchers for funding totalling almost €800 million in order to develop their ideas at the frontiers of knowledge. Also the grants will allow them to build their own research teams with more than 3,000 postdocs and PhD students, thereby supporting a new generation of top scientists in Europe.

'ERC Starting Grants' of up to €2 million per project, that will enable the most promising scientists to develop ideas at the frontiers of knowledge, were granted to 536 early-career top researchers. Projects selected cover a wide range of topics, from the social impacts of trans-Mediterranean renewable energy cooperation, to laser-based hearing aids and optical remote sensing technology for civil engineering works. On the other hand, there is still time to apply for the 'ERC Starting Grants' 2013.

4741 applications were received in this latest competition, a 16% increase on last year that shows the growing awareness and popularity of ERC grants. 44% of selected proposals were in the area of 'Physical Science and Engineering', 37% in 'Life Sciences', and 19% in 'Social Sciences and Humanities'. The average age of selected researchers is around 37. 24% of selected researchers are women, an increase from last year's 21%. The UK, Germany and France host the greatest number of successful applicants.

Excellence is the sole selection criterion for applying to these grants. The grants are worth up to €2 million in total per grant over a period of up to 5 years. The Starting Grant budget increased from €670 million in 2011 to almost €800 million, a 19.4% rise.