Warwick researchers backed by €1.5 million of European funding for new science projects

The University of Warwick’s Dr Hannes Houck and Dr João Monteiro are among the 478 researchers across Europe who have been recognised as part of the European Research Council’s (ERC) Starting Grants Initiative.

The €761 million scheme aims to support early-career scientists in their endeavours to pursue original ideas and build research teams.

This year, a total of 3,928 proposals were considered for the grant, giving it significant prestige, with only 12.2% of candidates ultimately successful.

60 researchers based in the United Kingdom were selected to receive this financial backing, making the UK the second-most recognised country by the ERC’s initiative.

[Dr Houck’s] research project, DeCoDER, is set to significantly empower the Photochemistry for Materials research group at Warwick

Researchers in Germany received 99 grants, the highest amount given to a single country.

Dr Houck’s grant is one of his many achievements in academia. He has previously been recognised as a Royal Society University Fellow and is a member of the EUTOPIA Young Leaders Academy.

His research project, DeCoDER, is set to significantly empower the Photochemistry for Materials research group at Warwick.

Dr Houck has said that the research is set to “make impactful contributions to the chemistry that drives light-based additive manufacturing” and has praised the support of his colleagues and mentors at the University.

Dr Monteiro, a member of Warwick’s Life Sciences department, has also been recognised by the grant. He plans to conduct a five-year research project to understand why specific bacteria can survive inside immune cells.

Dr Monteiro aims to generate new therapies using antibiotics and immunomodulators, meaning the project will significantly shape the way that chronic infections are treated

From these findings, Dr Monteiro aims to generate new therapies using antibiotics and immunomodulators, meaning the project will significantly shape the way that chronic infections are treated.

He said that the “thriving microbiology and immunology community” and the strong sense of collaboration within his department make the University the “ideal environment for this work”.

The Starting Grants Initiative is one of five associated with the ERC, who aim to fund pioneering research across the continent.

Despite the Council having a budget of €16 billion between 2021 and 2027, its President, Maria Leptin, says that “more investment in this type of science is needed for Europe to reach its full potential”.