Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding her Department has provided to successful applicants to the European Research Council Proof of Concept scheme to carry out work in UK research institutions since November 2021.

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.