Estonian Research Council (ERC) is the national science funding agency in Estonia. The Council funds research in all fields of natural and social sciences, humanities, and arts. It is a member of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program and associated with the European Research Council (ERC).
The Estonian Research Council was established in 1990, shortly after Estonia regained its independence. Since then, it has played a significant role in promoting and funding scientific research in Estonia. The Council is headquartered in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia.
The Estonian Research Council allocates around €50 million annually for research grants and fellowships. The main source of funding for the Council is the state budget of Estonia. In addition to this, the ERC also receives funds from various private sources, such as foundations and companies.
The Estonian Research Council supports both basic and applied research. Basic research is aimed at increasing our understanding of the world around us, while applied research seeks to find solutions to practical problems. Grants are awarded through a competitive process that assesses the scientific merit and potential impact of the proposed project.
Since its establishment, the Estonian Research Council has funded numerous groundbreaking research projects that have made important contributions to science and society. Some notable examples include:
•A study on black holes that led to a better understanding of how they form
•A project on quantum computing that could lead to more powerful computers
•A investigation into sustainable biofuels that could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels
•An analysis of ancient DNA that has shed new light on human evolution