The European Research Council awarded Consolidator Grants to 301 top scientists and scholars across Europe. Funding for these researchers, part of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, is worth in total €600 million, and is very competitive. With this support, the new grantees will have a chance to build up their teams and have far-reaching impact.

The ERC Consolidator Grants are awarded to outstanding researchers of any nationality and age, with at least seven and up to twelve years of experience after PhD, and a scientific track record showing great promise. Research must be conducted in a public or private research organisation located in one of the EU Member States or Associated Countries. The funding (average of €2 million per grant), is provided for up to five years and mostly covers the employment of researchers and other staff to consolidate the grantees’ teams.

Dr Rochefort was awarded her ERC Consolidator Grant for SweetVision – a project Envisioning the Reward: Neuronal circuits for goal-directed learning.

Congratultions Nathalie!