Exciting news for the Lithuanian scientific community! Professor Urtė Neniškytė, a distinguished researcher at Vilnius University’s Life Sciences Center (GMC) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Partnership Institute, has been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant. This highly competitive grant supports outstanding mid-career researchers and provides funding for groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
Advancing Brain Research
Prof. Neniškytė and her team will explore the role of the glycocalyx—a unique cellular ‘identity card’ that helps the body distinguish between healthy and damaged cells—in brain function and neurological diseases. The research is expected to open new pathways for diagnosing and treating brain disorders, potentially leading to significant advancements in neuroscience and medicine.
A New EU Funding Mechanism
The funding for this project was made possible by a newly introduced European Union (EU) fund redistribution mechanism. This initiative allows up to 5% of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to be allocated to the Horizon Europe program, supporting top-tier scientific projects.
Recognizing the value of this opportunity, Lithuania has allocated €18.5 million for the 2024–2025 period. This funding ensures that high-quality ERC projects, which may have missed out on funding due to budget constraints, still receive essential support.
Strengthening European Scientific Success
This new funding mechanism is part of the EU’s broader strategy to enhance participation in Horizon Europe and improve the success rates of scientific projects across Europe. By enabling talented researchers like Prof. Neniškytė to continue their groundbreaking work, this initiative strengthens Europe’s position as a global leader in scientific innovation.
