Conference: “Exciting Minds – Unlocking ERC Potential in Estonia”

Registration deadline extended until June 8th!

The European Research Council (ERC) grants are a symbol of scientific excellence, awarded to bold and visionary researchers who push the boundaries of knowledge and address major global challenges. They recognize not just individual brilliance but the collective power of the research community to drive innovation and collaboration. Securing an ERC grant is an opportunity to undertake high-risk, high-reward research with the potential to transform entire fields and inspire future generations.

The conference
„Exciting Minds – Unlocking ERC Potential in Estonia“,
organised by the Estonian Research Council and held in Tartu
The Conference Centre of the University of Tartu Library
(W. Struve 1, Tartu, Estonia)
on 12 June 2025

is your chance to explore the possibilities ERC funding can unlock and to better understand how your research could contribute to shaping the future of science. We’ll bring together researchers, universities, policymakers, and research management professionals to strengthen Estonia’s ERC capacity and increase successful applications from Estonia.

Whether you’re preparing an ERC proposal, mentoring future applicants, or building institutional capacity, this event will equip you with the insights, connections, and encouragement to move forward with confidence.

The conference offers three parallel sessions featuring ERC grant holders and evaluation panel members, who will share firsthand insights on applying to the ERC across life sciences, physical sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities.

Sessions and the experts are listed as follows: 

Insights on applying to the ERC in the life sciences by

• Jaan-Olle Andressoo, ERC grant holder
• Hedvig Tamman, ERC grant holder
• Meelis Pärtel, ERC evaluation panel member
• Kaspar Valgepea, ERC grant holder
• Carlo La Vecchia, ERC evaluation panel member

Insights on applying to the ERC in the physical sciences and engineering by

• Jelena Klinovaja, ERC grant holder and evaluation panel member
• Marlon Dumas, ERC grant holder and evaluation panel member
• Ken Carslaw, ERC evaluation panel member
• Olesia Dmytruk, ERC grant holder

Insights on applying to the ERC in the social sciences and humanities by

• Karin Roelofs, ERC grant holder
• Lauri Mälksoo, ERC grant holder and evaluation panel member
• Eneken Laanes, ERC grant holder
• Andreas Eckert, ERC evaluation panel member
• Laur Kanger, ERC grant holder

View the full event programme here: AGENDA

Registration (until June 8th)

We use the personal data collected during registration or participation in the event to ensure the smooth organisation of the event and, if necessary, for the operational transfer of information. We use the e-mail address to send a reminder to the registered person and later send materials related to the event to that address.

The data-protection conditions of the Estonian Research Council are available for review on the website https://etag.ee/en/estonian-research-council/processing-personal-data-at-the-estonian-research-council/

Contact
Kristin Kraav
Tel: 730 0337
kristin.kraav@etag.ee