Tom van der Valk receives ERC Proof of Concept Grant
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded Tom van der Valk, researcher at the Centre for Palaeogenetics (a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History), a grant of €150,000 to develop his research findings into commercial applications.
Tom van der Valk, Researcher. Photo: Press
Tom Van der Valk received funding for his project ECOGEN – A genome-scale platform for automated biodiversity monitoring and regulatory reporting.
“Receiving an ERC Proof of Concept Grant is incredibly meaningful because it allows us to take several years of research and move it closer to real-world application. It is a strong recognition not only of the scientific potential of our work, but also of its capacity to contribute to one of the most urgent challenges of our time: understanding and protecting biodiversity,” says Tom van der Valk.
He adds:
”Our ambition is to make biodiversity monitoring faster, more comprehensive and more accessible. By combining genome-wide environmental DNA analysis with automated laboratory workflows, advanced computing and user-friendly reporting, we hope to provide governments, companies and conservation organisations with a much clearer picture of how ecosystems are changing, and better tools to protect them.”
Projects selected for funding
A total of 182 researchers were awarded grants in this round. The new awarded projects will delve into a diverse range of topics, with 54 percent in physical sciences and engineering, 37 percent in life sciences and 8 percent in social sciences and humanities.
The competition attracted 554 proposals, representing a 15 percent increase compared to last year’s first round. One in three proposals was selected for funding in this round.
”Many of today's innovations begin with a researcher asking a fundamental question. These 182 projects show that curiosity-driven science and real-world impact go hand in hand. With Proof of Concept funding, ERC researchers can test how their discoveries could become new treatments, technologies, services or solutions that benefit people across Europe.” says Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, in a press release.
Next Proof of Concept Grant call
The ERC 2026 work programme includes two rounds of the call for Proof of Concept Grants with a total budget of €60 million. Interested in applying for an ERC Proof of Concept? The next funding round is now open for applications, with the deadline of 17 September.
Read more about the projects here
Need Help with Your Proof of Concept (PoC) Application?
For support and guidance, please contact the Innovation Office at the Office for Research, Engagement, and Innovation Services (REIS) at Stockholm University.
Last updated: 2026-06-30
Source: The Office for Research, Engagement and Innovation Services