An Empirical Assessment of the ERC Proof of Concept Programme
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The first ever review of the ERC's innovation scheme – the Proof of Concept Grants - shows that the initiative is "sound in concept and effective in practice", helping ERC-funded scientists set up new companies, file patent applications and attract capital to make their research marketable. It also found that the scheme has brought about a significant cultural change within the research community. The assessment, carried out by independent experts, comes seven years after the ERC first introduced this top-up funding to encourage its grantees to explore the commercial and societal potential of their breakthroughs.