The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the names of the ERC grantees to be awarded the Proof of Concept Grants. Two of the grants are for the University of Twente. For Chris Baeumer and Robert Passier (TNW). Funding for this first round of 2026, worth €27.3 million, will go to 182 researchers. Each grant is worth €150,000 and helps current and recent ERC grantees to explore the commercial or societal potential of their research findings. This grant scheme is part of the EU's research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe.
Chris Baeumer
Chris Baeumer has secured an ERC Proof of Concept grant to advance a new catalyst technology for green hydrogen production. The project, HEA-H₂, builds on a recent patent application and aims to develop durable, high-performance electrolyser electrodes made from abundant elements. It is based on the discovery of a new material class, so-called high-entropy oxides, which show promising efficiency for water splitting. Using the thin-film technology at the UT, the team will now take their previous discovery to the next level. By improving the efficiency and lifetime of water electrolysers, the technology could help reduce the cost of green hydrogen and accelerate its use in sectors such as steel production, chemicals, fertilisers, and sustainable transport.
Robert Passier
Robert Passier has secured an ERC Proof of Concept grant to advance the translation of the Multi-Heart Plate (MHP), a human stem cell-based platform for cardiovascular drug discovery. The HEARTPUMP project builds on the ERC Advanced Grant HEART2BEAT and focuses on validating miniature engineered cardiac chambers that pump fluid and provide quantitative functional readouts, including cardiac output, ejection fraction, and relaxation kinetics. The platform aims to address the urgent need for more predictive human models, particularly for diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Alongside technical validation, the project will evaluate the commercial potential of the technology through collaboration with industry partners, market analysis, and business development, paving the way for its translation into pharmaceutical drug discovery and potential spin-out creation.
About the ERC
The ERC, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It funds creative researchers of any nationality and age to run projects based across Europe. The ERC offers four core grant schemes: Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants and Synergy Grants. With its additional Proof of Concept Grant scheme, the ERC helps grantees to bridge the gap between their pioneering research and early phases of its commercialisation. A new ERC Plus Grants scheme has been open for applications since June 2026. An independent governing body, the Scientific Council, leads the ERC. Maria Leptin has been the President of the ERC since November 2021. The overall ERC budget from 2021 to 2027 is more than €16 billion, as part of the Horizon Europe programme, which is overseen by European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva.
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