Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Role of epistatic interactions in evolution (EPISTAT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Environmental B iology, Ecology  and E volution
Panel description: For all organisms : Ecology, biodiversity, environmental change , evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, microbial ecology , marine biology, ecophysiology, theoretical developments and mod elling
Countries involved: Finland
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2022-COG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2028-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1970533.0
EU funding (EUR): 1970533.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The distribution of fitness effects of mutations is vital to our understanding of rates and patterns of adaptation. Population genetics and mutation accumulation experiments have given us insight into the distribution of fitness effects of single mutations. However, mutations often interact with each other. This is called epistasis. The role of epistatic interactions in adaptation has remained controversial. Yet, the distribution of epistatic effects is as fundamental as distribution of mutational effects themselves. Without knowing the distribution of epistatic effects, we can’t calculate the average fitness effect of a given mutation across multiple genetic backgrounds. Moreover, if epistatic interactions tend to be positive or negative on average, this will have an important effect on evolutionary dynamics. Epistatic interactions are also known to play a role in speciation, but the proportion of mutations that exhibit incompatible interactions that can lead to speciation is unknown. I will investigate the properties of epistatic interactions among mutations with two complementary approaches. First, I will estimate the probability and distribution of effects of epistatic interactions among spontaneous mutations. I will cross mutation accumulation lines that I have developed for the fungus Neurospora crassa to produce a mapping population where spontaneous mutations are segregating, and use it to estimate the distribution of epistatic effects. Second, I will estimate the proportion of substitutions that cause reproductive incompatibilities between populations from the relationship between reproductive isolation and genetic divergence. This is achieved by an evolution experiment with fission yeast, with a design that will maximize the rate of genetic divergence with minimal change in mean phenotype. The elucidation of properties of epistatic interactions will be a major breakthrough for the field of evolutionary biology.

Keywords: quantitative genetics,experimental evolution,speciation
Laurion Contacts combined geological and archaeological study (LAURICON)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Attracting and mobilising the best talents
Destination: Attracting and mobilising the best talents
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Greece,Germany
Call: Fostering balanced brain circulation – ERA Fellowships (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-04, 2022)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2026-02-28
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 211658.4
EU funding (EUR): 211658.4
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

Through LAURICON we will show that the geological age differences between the ore deposits (“contacts”) in the Laurion mining region can be systematically investigated by laboratory analyses. In the next step, these different groups, each one deriving from a different geological “contact”, will be linked with archaeological objects made of Laurion ores (coins, by-products) with the same silver and lead isotopic fingerprint, thereby answering questions from mining archaeology and the wider field of ancient history. I, the post-doc researcher, Dr Frank Hulek, will undertake multi-disciplinary research activites and acquire advanced skills in archaeometric approaches at the NSRC “Demokritos” at Athens under the supervision of Dr Yannis Bassiakos and will carry out two secondment phases at the German Mining Museum. During a placement at the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park, I will pass on my knowledge to a non-academic institution. The project will increase knowledge about the Laurion mineralization, that, according to recent research, had developed in more than one metallogenetic events. This will be proven by mineralogical and silver plus lead isotope analyses of ore samples from the Laurion. At the same time, these analyses will help to redefine the typical isotope ratios of Laurion ores and by that further improve the accuracy of provenance studies in this project and in archaeometallurgy in general. Based on this improved analytical data, the project will establish a chronology for the introduction of deep shaft mining techniques in the Laurion mining region, using data from Athenian silver coins as reference material. Likewise, the origin of the raw material that was used for silver production at two important workshop sites, Lambrika and Frankolimano, will be investigated. Based on the improved knowledge about Laurion ores developed through LAURICON, it will be possible to tackle the question if local ore sources or similar imported ores/slags were used.

Keywords: lavrio,classical archaeology,isotope analysis,archaeometallurgy,mining archaeology
INnovative TRiggEr techniques for beyond the standard model PhysIcs Discovery at the LHC (INTREPID)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Panel description: Particle, nuclear, plasma, atomic, molecular, gas, and optical physics
Countries involved: Spain
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2023-STG, 2023)
Start date: 2023-10-01
End date: 2028-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499375.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499375.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) closes a central chapter of the standard model (SM) of particle physics while raising several questions, such as the nature of dark matter, an explanation to neutrino masses, or the origin of baryon asymmetry in the Universe. The answer to those questions could be linked to the production of beyond the SM (BSM) particles which may have long lifetimes, compared to SM particles at the weak scale. If these long-lived particles (LLPs) were to be produced at the LHC, they would yield non-standard signatures which require dedicated identification algorithms. A complex filtering (trigger) system running sophisticated algorithms allows to decide, in real time, whether a given event of interest should be saved for data analysis or discarded. The general goal of this proposal is to enhance the trigger capabilities to enable the discovery of LLPs and thus find evidence of BSM physics exploring innovative technologies that may be of use in future facilities. With several years before the start of the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC), it is now the perfect time to explore alternative trigger architectures and technologies not considered in the plans of the collaboration and that could not be explored otherwise. To this end, I will use a multidisciplinary approach involving advanced Machine Learning techniques and top-of-the-line ultra-fast processing platforms to propose an innovative solution that will improve the capabilities of future trigger systems. The foreseen studies might be the only way in which LLPs can be discovered at the HL-LHC. Any manifestation of such particles will revolutionise the field of High Energy Physics and help to answer several fundamental questions regarding the energy scale and nature of the BSM physics. Beside progressing in the frontiers of science, the designed techniques can be of great use for industries requiring real-time processing of large data-volumes to extract features.

Keywords: large hadron collider,high luminosity large hadron collider,trigger,field programmable gate arrays,adaptative compute acceleration platforms,long lived particles,muon,graph neural network,machine learning,real time processing
The first in-class non-opioid drug for treating moderate, severe, and persistent pain with no addiction nor tolerance (TAFALGIE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Open to supporting projects in all areas of science, technology,...
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: France
Call: EIC Accelerator Open 2023 (HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-03-01
End date: 2026-11-30
Duration (months): 33.0
Total project cost (EUR): 17388832.0
EU funding (EUR): 2499999.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Tafalgie Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical research company developing a new scientific approach for next-generation treatments, based on a true breakthrough innovation derived from the mechanism of action of an endogenous protein modulating the pain signal. Our ambition: to become the reference player in the field of pain medication by designing and proposing new active pharmaceutical ingredients for non-opioid analgesics, in a context marked by the opioid crisis, through the development of first-in-class polypeptides derived from TAFA4 and its peptide derivatives. We aim to develop and bring to patients more effective, well-tolerated, non-addictive, long-term treatments for the relief of acute pain - mild, moderate, and severe -, as well as for the prevention of chronic pain.

Keywords: pain treatment,non opioid analgesic,endogenous protein,bioproduction
Regenerative ICOs: Tokenizing Debt and Dividends (Regenerative ICOs)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: France,Germany
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS1 (ERC-2022-POC1, 2022)
Start date: 2022-07-01
End date: 2023-12-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 196317.86
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The economic incentive structures of an organisation strongly influences their governance models & power distribution, sometimes to the extent that attempts at decentralising governance fail, if they are built on centralising economic incentives. Traditional forms of equity investing offer uncapped returns to shareholders that create strong incentives for profit maximisation and centralisation of power. Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) on the blockchain were designed to allow organisations to raise funding from their community and bring a greater distribution of economic gains and governance power to organisations’ stakeholders. However, since tokens issued through ICOs are also offering uncapped returns, current blockchain networks have become even more centralised. There are investor reward models in traditional forms of investing that cap stakeholder profits and through that remove the incentives for profit maximisation, like (Platform) Cooperatives and Steward Ownership companies. They have shown to bring greater distribution of economic gains and governance power. However those organisations struggle to raise (early stage) funding in the traditional financial market a Consumer investors conscious about the damaging effects of investing in uncapped public equity have challenges investing in such organisations. This is because capped investor profit models have only been implemented in the existing legal systems with significant bureaucratic hurdles, similar to traditional startup investing up until the advent of ICOs in the late 2010s. This proof-of-concept helps organisations to run Initial Coin Offerings with capped investor profit models so they can raise funding from a diverse set of supporters, while avoiding mission drift and profit maximisation incentives. It enables more economic decentralisation, transparency and accountability, from which decentralised organisational governance can be developed and maintained in a more sustainable way.
Novel coordination polymer-based cathodes for high energy rechargeable divalent batteries (CiPBAT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Belgium,Spain
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 175920.0
EU funding (EUR): 175920.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

The aftermath of climate change & energy crisis are acknowledged as one of the most demanding socioeconomic challenges of modern times. Frontier energy storage technologies are crucial to develop to ensure clean & affordable supply of energy. Current Li-ion technology (LIB) is approaching its limit, whether concerning performance metrics or environmental impact. In turn, rechargeable Mg or Ca-based batteries show great theoretical promises in all these aspects. However, unavailability of suitable high voltage cathode materials with practical power & energy metrics limits their application. In this proposal, we will explore a novel type of 1D linear coordination polymer (CP)-based cathode material for high-energy reversible Mg- & Ca-ion storage (CiPBAT). Our innovative approach is to synthesize anionic CPs in discharged state (containing Mg- or Ca- cation) like a typical LIB inorganic cathode. We will synthesize conjugated sulfonamide-based cathode materials, followed by a consolidated understanding of the electrode reactivity through structure-performance correlation by physicochemical, electrochemical & operando techniques. Final objective here is to construct prototype CiPBAT pouch cells that can operate at high voltage (~2-3 V for Mg & ~3-4 V for Ca) with good cycling stability of atleast 250 cycles. By combining my strong expertise in core electrochemistry with excellent background of host supervisor on organic battery materials and secondment lab on divalent battery chemistry, the project will be effectively implemented. The successful completion of this project will also lead to constructing the first Mg & Ca-metal, but also, anode free prototype cells. This will boost the sustainable all-organic divalent battery research to a new level and replace the need of scarce, expensive & controversial supply of raw materials in current systems. Finally, this fellowship will provide me with great opportunities to achieve professional excellence & research independency.

Keywords: energy storage,organic cathode,coordination polymer,mg and ca metal anode,electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance,operando characterizations
Ethanol-nexus two-stage anaerobic digestion integrated with biochar in leveraging eco-treatment of agricultural wastes (ENABLE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 260347.92
EU funding (EUR): 260347.92
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Agricultural wastes, including manure, slurries, and crop residues, present significant environmental challenges in waste management. Improper disposal of these wastes can lead to greenhouse gas emissions, contamination of air, soil, and water, and public health risks, such as the spread of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. With 92.8 million tonnes of agricultural waste produced annually in the EU, innovative treatment solutions are crucial for sustainable management and for achieving the goals of One Health Action. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising technology that converts organic waste into biogas and helps mitigate environmental risks and present opportunities for renewable energy. However, conventional mesophilic AD systems face challenges, including incomplete degradation, volatile fatty acid accumulation, and inadequate pathogen deactivation. This project, ENABLE, aims to revolutionize the AD process. My previous studies show that ethanol promotes syntrophic methanogenesis, and conductive materials (e.g., biochar) enhance electron transfer, both accelerating AD processes. By integrating ethanol pathway with conductive materials addition, the system seeks to improve both biogas yield and pathogen deactivation. The project will explore the microbial, metabolic, and genetic mechanisms underlying these improvements. The project will employ advanced tools including meta-omics, kinetic modelling, techno-economic analysis (TEA), and life cycle assessment (LCA) to optimize the system design and assess its environmental, economic, and social impacts. This approach offers a novel solution for agricultural waste management by reducing costs, enhancing energy recovery, and promoting public health, aligning with global sustainability goals. Collaborating with leading experts and institutions in academia and industry, this fellowship will not only advance research but also contribute to my professional development as a future leader in AD biotechnology.

Keywords: agricultural wastes anaerobic digestion biochar direct interspecies electron transfer ethanol nexus pathogen deactivation
Access to crop diversity and small farms’ resilience to climate variability in African drylands: The role of seed and information networks (ARISER)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Human Mobility, Environment, and Space
Panel description: Human geography, demography, health, susta inability science, territorial planning, spatial analysis
Countries involved: France
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2021-STG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-06-01
End date: 2027-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Crop diversity is a key resource for smallholder farmers in drylands, as it plays a major role in their resilience by stabilizing crop production in the face of climate variability. Although access to crop diversity is pivotal for these farmers, the processes driving access are not fully understood. Previous research indicates that access to crop diversity may rely on the social networks through which crop seeds and information are diffused. These networks display a wide diversity of patterns, including differences in the composition of the actors involved and in the structure of the pathways through which seeds and information diffuse. Understanding the consequences of these different network patterns for crop diversity and their implication for farm resilience is a crucial and timely challenge. In this project, I will address this challenge by combining theory and methods from agroecology and social network research to tackle three objectives: (1) identify the most critical network patterns to maintain high crop diversity on farms over time or to change crops, (2) assess the relation between network patterns and temporal stability of crop production at the farm level, and (3) assess how farmers socioeconomic characteristics affect their access to seed and information. To reach these objectives, I will (i) design a standardized protocol to collect longitudinal and panel data across three dryland areas in Africa, which could serve as a reference for future studies, (ii) build an innovative simulation model combining agent-based and network approaches, and (iii) develop new statistical methods for network analysis. This project will enable a major advance in our understanding of the processes driving farmers access to crop diversity and their resilience. By doing so, it will contribute to improve decision-making for smallholder farmers adaptation to increased climate variability in drylands.

Keywords: crop diversity,social networks,adaptation,drylands,small scale farming,complex systems modeling,seed systems,climate variability,africa
More Money, Different Problems? Peoples’ Engagement with Politics during Good Economic Times (ECONENGAGE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems
Panel description: Political science, international relations, law
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2025-STG, 2025)
Start date: 2026-08-01
End date: 2031-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1979450.0
EU funding (EUR): 1979450.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Economic downturns can be a breeding ground for extremist politics. Yet, we know far less about how a good economy affects citizens’ interactions with politics. Despite massive wealth accumulation in established democracies, populism, misinformation, and group-based hostility continue to rise. Does national economic improvement affect the way people tune into politics and their commitment to democratic norms? ECONENGAGE fills this timely research gap by providing and testing an original theory on the impacts of economic improvement on the quality of people’s political engagement in established democracies. Starting with the point that improvement changes the stakes that people attach to politics, I will examine how this improvement affects their political information consumption, susceptibility to political misinformation, and the hardening of their ideological beliefs–all of which are central to democratic values – as well as their democratic attitudes. ECONENGAGE is organized into four work packages (WPs). WP1 uncovers the criteria that different individuals use to define economic improvement, using existing and original survey data. In WP2, I will further examine the theoretical mechanisms and generate testable hypotheses for how economic improvement affects people’s political information processing and degree of entrenchment in their ideological beliefs. WP3 tests these hypotheses with cross-national survey data in OECD countries and three experiments in Sweden and the UK, countries that differ markedly in economic and political institutions. WP4 investigates the broader impacts of economic improvement on the stakes people attach to elections, preferences for democratic decision-making rules, and commitment to ideological pluralism. ECONENGAGE will provide us with novel tools to better understand vitally important global trends of rising misinformation and inter-group hostility and suggest ways to ensure vibrant democratic engagement in both good times and bad.

Keywords: political economy of elections political behavior