On 28 April 2025, the European Research Council (ERC), in collaboration with the Association of ERC Grantees (AERG), inaugurated the “Ambassadors for the ERC” network. Thirty‑two distinguished ERC grantees—17 women and 15 men—were appointed as ambassadors, representing 21 EU Member States and five Associated Countries (Israel, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK). Over the coming year, these ambassadors will champion frontier research, working closely with ERC National Contact Points to engage policymakers, media, and local research communities—and to underscore the societal and economic impact of ERC‑funded science. 

The Association of ERC Grantees warns that proposed changes to Horizon Europe could undermine the ERC’s autonomy and threaten curiosity-driven research. In a new statement, AERG urges EU leaders to safeguard fundamental science as essential to a healthy and resilient society. 

The Association of ERC Grantees (AERG) is an independent, bottom-up organization that brings together recipients of European Research Council grants. It aims to advocate for frontier research, foster scientific collaboration across disciplines and borders, and provide a collective voice for researchers shaping the future of science in Europe.