Francesco Stellacci, Principal Investigator at the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Bio-Inspired Materials and Professor at EPFL, has been awarded a highly coveted ERC Advanced Grant for the second time. The grant recognizes his groundbreaking project, “Engineering Protein Interactions Using Small Molecules,” which aims to advance the understanding and manipulation of protein interactions—a key area in biotechnology and medical research.

Stellacci previously received an ERC Advanced Grant in 2020, securing over €3 million in funding for his ongoing project, “Nature-inspired Circular Recycling for Polymers.” His latest success underscores his continued leadership and innovation in the field of materials science.

This year’s award is particularly notable as it follows a significant change in Switzerland’s participation in European research programs. For the first time since Switzerland was designated a non-associated third country for Horizon Europe, researchers at Swiss institutions were eligible to submit proposals to the ERC. As a result, funding for successful Swiss applicants, including Stellacci, will be provided by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation.