Send to Kindle
European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research, and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva
European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research, and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva has called on the European Research Council (ERC) to increase its funding for prominent researchers relocating from the United States. The proposed funding would double from €1 million to €2 million per individual to attract top talent to Europe for the years 2026 and 2027. Zaharieva's office confirmed the plans in response to a request from Bulgarian media outlet Club Z.
The European Commission's initiative comes as part of a broader strategy to address research and education funding cuts in the United States. According to reports from Politico, Bulgaria and 11 other EU member states are evaluating how to draw researchers away from the US, signaling Europe's determination to strengthen its own innovation and research ecosystem.
Zaharieva emphasized Europe's need for talent, asserting that researchers are central to the continent's progress in research and innovation. "We have always made it clear that we need talent in Europe. They are at the heart of our research and innovation ecosystem," Zaharieva said. The Commission is committed to enhancing Europe's appeal to researchers by improving their working conditions and career opportunities.
The European Commission, under Zaharieva's leadership, has also launched the Marie Skłodowska-Curie “Choose Europe” pilot initiative. This program offers long-term career grants to early-stage researchers who wish to work at European universities and research centers.
Zaharieva's office highlighted that the EU is receiving proposals from various stakeholders, including MEPs, universities, and companies, urging Europe to act swiftly in response to recent global developments. "These are undoubtedly opportunities for Europe, and we are exploring ways to scale up our efforts with upcoming initiatives," they added.
Additionally, the EURAXES portal, which facilitates researchers' mobility across countries, offers over 8,000 positions, including 5,000 doctoral defenses across various sectors, further strengthening Europe's efforts to attract global research talent.
Bulgaria continues to hold a leading position in the European Union when it comes to the share of women working in the information technology sector
Public confidence in President Donald Trump’s second-term policies remains tepid
EU countries have reportedly reached a consensus on the bloc’s 18th round of sanctions against Russia
The United States announced late Thursday that all parties involved in the Syrian conflict had agreed to take “specific steps” to halt the violence, with hopes of de-escalation beginning “tonight”
In the first quarter of 2025, Bulgaria experienced one of the steepest increases in house prices across the European Union
GERB leader Boyko Borissov stated that Bulgaria had been held up as an example by the Supervisory Board of the European Parliament for successfully reviving what was once considered a failed Recovery Plan
EU countries have reportedly reached a consensus on the bloc’s 18th round of sanctions against Russia
Bulgaria's inflation rate stood at 3.1% in June, according to data released by Eurostat
Thomas Waitz, the European Parliament rapporteur on North Macedonia, has revealed that he received death threats in connection with his work on the country’s progress toward EU membership
Svenja Hahn, Chairwoman of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and Member of the European Parliament from Germany, has formally requested an urgent meeting
Germany is facing increasing pressure to bolster its defense capabilities amid new security challenges
As of January 1, 2025, the population of the European Union reached 450.4 million people
Operation Rising Lion: Why and How Israel Attacked Iran
EU Population Grows by Over a Million, While Bulgaria Continues to Shrink
