Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding to the five successful researchers from the latest 2023 funding round of the European Research Council Proof of Concept scheme to undertake work in UK research institutions.

The Government chose to associate to Horizon Europe because Horizon Europe will strengthen UK science and boost economic growth. The European Research Council (ERC) is a key part of this as 63% of research funded through the ERC grants leads to a major scientific advance.

The UK Government Horizon Europe Guarantee remains active and covers all remaining Horizon Europe grant calls up to and including work programme 2023 irrespective of the call closing or grant signature date. This includes the ERC Proof of Concept. As of 31 December 2023, 371 grant offer letters, worth £549 million have been issued to ERC applicants under the Guarantee.