ERC Horizons in Montpellier: European Research Meetings

A day dedicated to ERC programs will be held at the Institute of Botany on March 31, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Organized by the University of Montpellier, in partnership with the CNRS, INSERM, and IRD, with support from the ANR and France 2030 as part of the Moment-UM project, this event titled “ERC Horizons in Montpellier: Research will bring together leading figures from the European Research Council Research as ERC grant recipients, who will share their insights and experiences with ERC projects during plenary sessions, roundtables, and workshops.

Are you thinking about applying for an ERC grant? Are you considering it but hesitating to take the plunge? Have you already applied, or do you feel it’s not for you? If you’re a grant recipient and would like to connect with other researchers, share your experience, and inspire those who haven’t yet applied to the ERC,

This event is funded by the “Moment’UM” project (ANR-22-ASDR-0029) and receives government support administered by the ANR under the France 2030 initiative.

Program

Moderator: Monica Dietl, Director of Europe Matters

• Starting at 8 a.m.: Check-in
• 8:40–9:00 a.m.: Official Opening
• 9:15–10:00 a.m.: “The ERC: A European Program in Which France Must Make Progress,” by Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, President of the European Research Council Research 2014 to 2019 and acting President from 2020 to 2021
• 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: “ERC Programs: Catalysts for Progress and Careers” by Monique Smaihi, Head of the Call Coordination Unit at the ERC Executive Agency
• 11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Overview of ERC projects: presentations of winning projects
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.: Roundtable discussion: “Equal Opportunities and Inclusion in Research” with Geneviève Almouzni, Researcher at the Institut Curie and Member of the ERC Council; Agnès Fichard-Carroll, Vice President and Special Advisor for Gender Equality at the University of Montpellier; and Jeanne Tonnabel, Research Officer Research CNRS.
• 2:20–3:10 p.m.: Panel discussion “Toward Unexplored Horizons: The ERC in the Service of Innovation” with Philippe Combette, Vice President for Partnerships and Innovation at the University of Montpellier, and Damien Voiry, Director of Research CNRS (other speakers to be confirmed).
• 3:40 PM – 5:10 PM: Workshops (registration required; space is limited):
  • Workshop 1: Life Sciences—present your concept.
  • Workshop 2: From Idea to ERC Project: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid.
  • Workshop 3: Prepare for your oral exam, Q&A session.
• 5:10 p.m. – 5:20 p.m.: Closing remarks