The road to research excellence: winning multiple ERC grants

ERC grants, or European Research Council grants, hold immense significance for health and biomedical researchers. These grants are highly prestigious and competitive, attracting researchers from across Europe. ERC grants provide long-term funding for groundbreaking and ambitious research projects, allowing researchers to pursue their innovative ideas and make significant contributions to their fields.

ERC grants have become indicators of world-class research across all academic disciplines. They not only provide financial support but also enhance the reputation and visibility of researchers and their institutions. Being awarded an ERC grant is a testament to the researcher's excellence and the potential impact of their work.

In this blog post, we unveil the secrets to achieving research excellence by unlocking the doors to multiple ERC grants. Prepare to be inspired by the remarkable triumphs of Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos, an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Head of the Cancer Biophysics Laboratory at the University of Cyprus, as he reveals the path that led him to secure not one, but six prestigious ERC grants over the past decade.

Serena: Thank you Triantafyllos for sharing your experience with me. To start, can you share something about yourself and your career path?

Triantafyllos: I studied Chemical Engineering for both my undergraduate studies at the National Technical University of Athens (2003) in Greece and for my PhD at the University of Minnesota (2008) in the USA. However, I was interested in conducting research in biology/bioengineering. Therefore, at various points in my career, I had to step out of my comfort zone to learn new methods and acquire knowledge from other fields.

During my PhD studies, I focused on Biomedical/Mechanical Engineering, developing expertise in mathematical modeling and numerical methods. During my postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, I acquired foundational knowledge in tumor biology, animal tumor models, and experiments. In recent years, I have also delved into immunology and artificial intelligence/machine learning. I have discovered that a solid background in both mathematics and biology/experimental work enables me to venture into new research areas and integrate knowledge and methods from diverse disciplines to develop innovative approaches.

Serena: Can you tell me more about your ERC grants?

Triantafyllos: I have received six ERC grants: a Starting Grant (2014-2018), a Consolidator Grant (2020-2025), and an Advanced Grant (2025-2030), in addition to three Proof of Concepts (PoCs).

My current ERC CoG project, titled "Immuno-Predictor," is focused on developing biomarkers to predict tumor response to chemo-immunotherapy. This is based on ultrasound imaging of tumor stiffness and perfusion. Through thorough testing in preclinical tumor models, we have discovered that ultrasound images obtained using shear wave elastography to measure tumor stiffness and contrast-enhanced ultrasound to measure tumor perfusion can be analyzed to accurately predict the outcome of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of both before treatment begins.

The ERC AdG grant that I have recently been awarded has the acronym "MechanoResistance." Its aim is to overcome drug resistance in pancreatic cancer, which is the most fatal type of tumor characterized by severe biomechanical abnormalities. Pancreatic tumors are known to be extremely stiff and hypo-perfused. Research has shown that increased stiffness and compressive forces generated as stiff tumors expand, at the expense of normal tissue, can lead to drug resistance. However, this phenomenon has not been thoroughly studied yet. The project's scope is to elucidate the mechanisms of mechanoresistance (i.e., mechanically-induced drug resistance) and develop strategies to overcome it in order to enhance the effectiveness of standard-of-care therapeutic approaches in pancreatic tumors.

Serena: How would you describe your grant writing experience and participation in funding programs before applying to your first ERC grant?

Triantafyllos: Before receiving my first ERC StG in 2013, I obtained a Marie-Curie Reintegration grant when I moved from the USA to Europe. Prior to that, I was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer.

Serena: What were the key elements that you evaluated before applying for your first ERC call? How did you decide to apply?

Triantafyllos: The key elements are the right time and the right place/panel. You must identify when you are prepared to apply and which panel is most suitable for you and your proposal. The best method to determine these factors is to search for recently funded ERC projects and researchers in your field. A recently funded project can indicate the panel that aligns best with your proposal, while recently funded researchers can establish a criterion of excellence that is necessary to be competitive for such a grant.

Serena: What difficulties did you encounter during the project preparation process?

Triantafyllos: I did not encounter any specific difficulties. In each case, I had a clear research plan and objectives. The proposal must be hypothesis-driven, with the hypothesis being novel, based on the researchers' previous research so that they can support it, while also being a significant advancement over any previous work in the field.

Serena: What were the main resources and supports offered by your university during the preparation of the ERC proposal?

Triantafyllos: I received no support in preparing the proposal or during the interview. I only sought advice from a few colleagues who had previous experience or had previously received an ERC grant.

Serena: In a recent grant writing course for early-stage researchers, some individuals asked me, "If I do not apply to ERC, what else can I do at this stage of my career?", as the ERC grants are seen as the only available possibility. This led me to consider that misconceptions are still associated with being an ERC grantee. As a senior expert in grant writing, I believe that the ERC grant is not suitable for everyone. Many times, while helping researchers prepare their applications, I have been doubtful about the competitiveness of their profiles and ideas. What is your opinion on this comment? What is your perception as an ERC grantee?

Triantafyllos: I agree that an ERC grant is not suitable for everyone. As you mentioned, applicants must be highly competitive in order to apply. While there are numerous other funding opportunities available in the EU, many of them necessitate researchers to have a network of collaborators within Europe. This is especially crucial at the beginning of one's career, as it allows for collaboration with senior researchers who possess the expertise to draft competitive proposals.

Serena: What are the benefits and prestige that ERC funding brings you?

Triantafyllos: An ERC grant is prestigious because it is awarded solely on academic and research excellence. It is also highly flexible and relatively easy to manage. In my opinion, it is the most successful funding scheme within the EU. When it comes to my research, experimental cancer research is time-consuming and requires expensive equipment and consumables. Therefore, the generous 5-year support provided by the ERC is ideal for the type of research that I conduct.

Conclusion

Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos' remarkable success in securing multiple ERC grants showcases the exceptional dedication and multifaceted expertise necessary for researchers to achieve excellence in their fields. By sharing his invaluable insights and experiences, Triantafyllos provides aspiring researchers with a roadmap to navigate the competitive landscape of grant applications and academic achievements.