On September 24th, the Estonian Research Council celebrated the 12th anniversary of its Brussels office with a high-level seminar and the opening of the exhibition “Estonian Research Excellence Showcase: ERC Grants Across the Years” at the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the European Union.
The aim of the exhibition is to showcase the high-level Estonian researchers who have received European Research Council (ERC) grants to carry out their cutting-edge scientific work. These researchers are pioneers in their respective fields, and obtaining this grant has been a pivotal milestone in their academic careers. The high-level seminar accompanying the exhibition focused on the significance and impact of grants on researchers’ careers, the key challenges within the European scientific landscape, and best practices to ensure adequate funding for science and the development of emerging researchers.
The event was opened by the representatives of the Estonian Research Council in Brussels, Carmen Kivistik and Kristel Oitmaa, who expressed gratitude to all speakers and the numerous guests in attendance, providing an opportunity to introduce the world-class talent of Estonian researchers.
The opening remarks were presented by Anu Noorma, the Director General of the Estonian Research Council, who emphasized that our researchers exemplify global excellence in their respective fields, contributing significantly to the global scientific ecosystem and adressing complex challenges, thus helping to make the world a better place for all of us. “The contribution of Estonian researchers is not only vital at the local level but also significant across Europe and the international scientific arena,” affirmed Noorma.
Noorma also added that the exhibition is not merely a static display. It is a dynamic showcase that introduces Estonian researchers and their scientific endeavours while traveling to various countries and cities.
H.E. Helen Kaljuläte, the Ambassador-designate of Estonia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, remarked that Estonia is recognized internationally as a country that believes in science, with evidence-based decisions being fundamental to its governance. The Ambassador emphasized that international collaboration is exceedingly important to us.” In tackling the intricate global challenges of today, the transnational dissemination of knowledge and scientific findings is imperative. Estonia greatly values the strong partnerships we have established with our international colleagues, particularly through organizations such as the ERC, which has played a crucial role in supporting our scientists’ innovation and success on the global stage,” highlighted H.E. Kaljuläte.
President of the European Research Council, Maria Leptin, affirmed in her speech that Estonia not only has the most unicorns per capita, but also stands out for its high-level science, showing that both innovation and research are strongly established in the country.
During the seminar, a panel discussion featured Maria Leptin alongside distinguished Estonian ERC grantees: Ester Oras (University of Tartu), Evelyn Uuemaa (University of Tartu), Tambet Teesalu (University of Tartu), Jaan-Olle Andressoo (University of Helsinki), and Tiina Roose (University of Southampton). The discussion was moderated by Marlon Dumas (University of Tartu), who is also an ERC grantee. Panellists shared their personal and unique experiences, emphasizing the significant impact of ERC funding on their academic careers and research projects.
The fact that, to date, 29 Estonian researchers have received the prestigious ERC grant, is indeed a noteworthy achievement for a country with a relatively small population. These recognitions hold immense significance for the Estonian scientific community, especially due to the nature of the grant, which allows researchers to freely choose what, how, and where they conduct their work. It provides them with great freedom of action.
Marlon Dumas noted that while a substantial number of ERC grant applications are submitted from Estonia each year, only a few receive positive responses, indicating that the full potential of Estonian researchers has not yet been realized. Maria Leptin emphasized that there are no ‘ERC-type’ researchers; rather, they are determined scientists who remain undeterred by negative outcomes and continue to pursue their objectives.
Participants in the panel discussion unanimously agreed that the characteristic persistence of Estonians is a valuable trait in this context. Ester Oras shared her personal experience, noting that she also did not succeed in securing a grant on her first attempt, yet she believes that a scientist who recognizes the importance of their work must be persistent. She also stressed the critical role of universities in assisting researchers with their application preparations.
Evelyn Uuemaa acknowledged that at one point, she considered a career shift from science to industry, as she did not see herself as the “typical grant applicant.” She further added that the support of the Estonian Research Council for ERC applicants was crucial in her journey.
Tiina Roose noted that ERC grants serve as a mark of quality—only the best researchers succeed through intense competition. Securing a grant can also be a turning point in one’s career. For instance, in Tambet Teesalu’s case, it brought him back to Estonia from the United States. Additionally, receiving a grant often opens doors to new collaboration opportunities in the scientific community. However, Jaan-Olle Andressoo emphasized that future efforts should focus even more on knowledge transfer to ensure that science and innovation continue to progress hand in hand.
The discussion also highlighted that some of the most innovative ideas often come from young researchers who may lack experience in applying for grants. Therefore, it is particularly important for universities to assist their researchers in developing the necessary skills for securing funding. Moreover, in discussions regarding the development of new researchers, it is essential to provide young scientists with a clear career model to encourage more of them to choose a scientific career path.
Closing remarks were made by Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (RTD) at the European Commission, who highlighted that over the past 15 years, 14 Nobel Prize laureates have been ERC grantees. Since its establishment, the ERC has aimed to provide researchers with both the freedom and resources to conduct high-level science. “Without a doubt, the European Research Council will continue to support the best of the best in scientific inquiry,” affirmed Ratso.
The exhibition “Estonian Research Excellence Showcase: ERC Grants Across the Years” is a traveling exhibition that will move to new locations in the future. The exhibition continually evolves, incorporating new ERC grant recipients, thereby reflecting the dynamic nature of science. Currently, the exhibition can be viewed at the Permanent Representation of Estonia to the EU (Rue Guimard 11/13, 1040 Brussels). Attendance is by pre-registration only. For this purpose, please contact representatives of the Estonian Research Council, Carmen Kivistik (carmen.kivistik@etag.ee) or Kristel Oitmaa (kristel.oitmaa@etag.ee).
The ERC is the European Union’s funding agency for science, supporting frontier research and innovative approaches in new scientific domains. Its mission is to foster high-level research in Europe, and to achieve this goal, the ERC provides grants open to researchers across all scientific disciplines, with scientific excellence as the sole evaluation criterion.
The exhibition is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the initiative “Support for the Internationalization of R&D: Connecting to the International Knowledge Market,” also known as the Mobilitas 3.0 program.
Photos by Lucas Boitquin can be found here.
