ERC funding and Choose Europe for Science campaign highlight Nicolás Rascovan’s work on the history of infectious diseases

By Nazaré Guimard, Head of Grants Office 

Photo by Claudio Centonze

Surrounded by a vibrant and interdisciplinary community of scientists, Nicolás Rascovan reflects on Europe’s unique balance between research freedom, collaboration, and personal well-being. His story is one of discovery, opportunity, and the transformative power of science across borders. 

Supported by an ERC Starting Grant, Nicolás leads a research project at Institut Pasteur exploring ancient DNA from human archaeological remains mainly in Argentina. His work investigates how microbes and infectious diseases evolved and spread over thousands of years, shedding light on pivotal moments in human history such as the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. 

Institut Pasteur provides an excellent environment for ERC grantees, offering outstanding scientific support, cutting-edge facilities, and a collaborative international network that helps researchers thrive. ERC grants are a fantastic opportunity for researchers with bold ideas who want to carry out their projects in Europe. They provide financial independence and autonomy to enable groundbreaking discoveries. 

Watch Nicolás Rascovan’s story and research journey in this ERC video on LinkedIn (please click 2 times to access the post): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/european-research-council_chooseeuropeforscience-chooseeurope-activity-7355492308223467520-XhG- 

Learn more about his ERC grant: https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/magazine/biting-ancient-dna  

Discover support options for researchers aiming to move to Europe: https://europa.eu/!B8hjh3 

Researchers working at Institut Pasteur interested in ERC funding and opportunities in Europe are encouraged to contact the GOEurope team (goeurope[@]pasteur.fr) for guidance and support.