The UK has tumbled down the table of countries hosting winners of European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants, as consternation grows over reports that the Westminster government is delaying the decision on joining Horizon Europe.
The country hosted the second-most winners in the 2022 round – 70, second only to Germany – but for 2023 it has fallen to fifth place, with 32 grantees based at UK institutions.
In contrast, the number of grantees with UK nationality has remained roughly the same, with the country coming in sixth place in both years.
Grantees, who get up to €1.5 million (£1.3 million) over five years, can still get the European Union funding if they move to an institution in the bloc. In July the Westminster government said it would provide funding for those that remain in the UK for funding calls that close on or before 30 September.
