The analysis based on the survey on the use of patents by ERC grantees, launched in November 2023, examined the technology transfer activities of ERC-funded researchers, including the licensing and other uses of patents resulting from their projects. Of the more than 12 000 researchers holding ERC grants at the time, the analysis focused on those who had declared patent applications stemming from their ERC-funded research. The survey was sent to 655 Principal Investigators (PIs), who collectively reported around 1 500 patent applications in their projects.
This survey is part of a broader effort to assess the impact of publicly funded frontier research on technological progress. It complements analyses such as:
- The study of patent citations referencing ERC-funded scientific papers, published in 2023 (read more here).
- The examination of companies created or co-founded by ERC grantees, or those resulting from ERC-funded research. See “More information” for examples.
These findings highlight that ERC funding not only supports excellent scientific research but also fosters innovation that contributes to technological advancements. Translating such research into economic and societal benefits remains a key challenge—one that is crucial for the EU’s future competitiveness.
The broader context of innovation in Europe
As highlighted in the recently published Competitiveness Compass, the EU’s share of global patents is comparable to that of the US and China. However, only about one-third of these patents are commercially exploited, underscoring the difficulties researchers face in bringing their inventions to market. The ERC survey results reinforce the need for a supportive ecosystem, including funding, collaboration opportunities, and an environment conducive to innovation.
At the same time, the survey showcases how ERC grantees contribute significantly to the commercialisation of EU-funded research. This is evident in the numerous companies founded or co-founded by ERC-funded scientists, many of which have secured additional EU support—such as EIC funding—for breakthrough technologies in fields like quantum computing and biotechnology.
Key findings of the survey
The survey provides several important insights into the patenting activities of ERC grantees:
- 44% of surveyed ERC grantees have commercially utilised their patent applications, either through direct use, licensing, selling, or start-up creation. This rate aligns with similar findings for patent applicants from public research institutions (PRI).
- Licensing is the most common form of patent use, followed by the establishment of start-ups. Notably, ERC grantees engage in these activities at higher rates than other researchers in PRIs in comparable studies.
- In most cases, licensee companies are based in the same country as the ERC grantee’s Host Institution or in a neighbouring countryplacing them predominantly within Europe or Associated Countries.
- The main obstacle to licensing is a lack of interested buyers, often due to the need for extensive proof of technology viability. In 68% of cases where a patent was licensed, the acquiring company was founded or co-founded by the ERC grantee.
- Patent sales by ERC grantees are relatively rare, partly due to limited market demand and partly because many Host Institutions have policies against patent sales, preferring licensing arrangements.
- ERC grantees hold a higher proportion of “sleeping patents” (unused patents) compared to researchers without ERC grants surveyed in other studies. This may reflect the early-stage nature of frontier research inventions, which often require further development before becoming commercially viable. The findings raise concerns about whether universities place excessive emphasis on patents as monetisable assets, potentially prioritising revenue generation over the broader societal benefits of open innovation.
- ERC grantees with a Proof of Concept (PoC) grant have a significantly higher rate of patent utilisation, as well as a lower share of unused patents, highlighting the role of PoC grants in supporting academic entrepreneurship.
A call for stronger support for innovation
The survey results confirm that ERC grantees play a critical role in translating frontier research into economic opportunities. However, they also underscore the challenges researchers face in commercialising their discoveries. Strengthening the ecosystem for research-driven innovation—including better funding mechanisms, improved collaboration between academia and industry, and tailored support for technology transfer—will be crucial for Europe’s long-term competitiveness.