EU awards 302 top researchers in Britain

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The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the 302 winners of its 2015 Consolidator Grant competition, European Commission said on Friday.

These excellent mid-career scientists are awarded a total of 585 million euros ($660 million) as part of the European Union (EU) research and innovation programme Horizon 2020, Xinhua reported.

With grants worth up to 2.0 million euros ($2.26 million) each, they would be able to consolidate their research teams and to develop their innovative ideas, said the ERC.

"As part of Horizon 2020, the ERC funds the work of some of the most brilliant minds in frontier research, people whose discoveries can start new industries, new markets and contribute to the welfare of the planet," said Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for research, science and innovation.

The researchers selected would be able to develop a new method to control insects transmitting diseases such as the Zika virus, build ultra-thin portable fuel cells or investigate the effectiveness of political apologies across cultures, for example, said the ERC.

Moreover, they are likely to employ more than 2,100 post-docs, PhD students and other research team members.

In particular, the share of female grantees in this call was 31 percent, a further increase from the Consolidator Grant competitions in 2014 and 2013.