Arri Priimägi selected as Ambassador for the ERC
The European Research Council (ERC) and the Association of ERC Grantees (AERG) have introduced a new initiative for promoting the visibility of high-quality, frontier research. The Ambassadors for the ERC spread the message about the importance of funding fundamental science and the significance of research for society. Professor Arri Priimägi has been selected as the Ambassador for the ERC in Finland.
There are 32 new Ambassadors for the ERC from the EU member states and five Horizon Europe associated countries. All Ambassadors are ERC Grantees, selected from more than 200 applicants. The Ambassador serves a term of one year at a time, and may continue serving for a maximum of six years.
Maria Leptin, President of the ERC, said in the launch press release: “I hope the Ambassadors for the ERC will become recognisable faces of ERC-funded research. This network has great potential to advocate effectively for frontier research across Europe. Together, we must keep reminding our fellow citizens why funding frontier research isn’t optional, and why it’s essential for Europe’s long-term health and prosperity.”
Unique ERC funding
Professor Arri Priimägi, selected as the Ambassador for the ERC in Finland, works at Tampere University, where his group studies soft functional materials. He is part of the Research Council of Finland’s Centre of Excellence in Life-Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER) and the Finnish Flagship for Photonics Research and Innovation (PREIN). During his career, he has been awarded several ERC grants.
What inspired you to become an ERC Ambassador?
“If I can make even a small contribution to promoting curiosity-driven research and new knowledge, and underscoring the importance of academic research, I want to strive for that. The ambassadorship programme seemed like the right way to make a difference,” Priimägi said.
“ERC funding is quite unique globally, and something we can be proud of. However, towards the end of every funding framework programme, we have to advocate for the continuation of European research funding, and its importance as an enabler of fundamental and applied research.”
The appeal of scientific curiosity
Priimägi emphasises the importance of curiosity and new knowledge as the driving force behind scientific advances and as the foundation for practical applications:
“My group’s research falls somewhere between fundamental science and applied research. But I see scientific curiosity and the creation of new knowledge as key drivers of high-quality research. New research findings pave the way for applications, innovations and new practices, making the whole process deeply meaningful.”
Priimägi points out that many of the applications that are currently changing the world are the product of years, even decades of fundamental research:
“Each decision-maker should keep in mind that short-term observations rarely reveal which research will lead to real breakthroughs. That's why we need long-term funding and researchers from all disciplines. The more perspectives we bring into society and academic discourse, the better.”
Wide-ranging influence
Priimägi has actively presented his team’s research in the media and on other forums, and he has thus gained experience in science communication. As an Ambassador for the ERC, he hopes that he will be able to discuss the role of science and research in society and their importance in future solutions more broadly.
“As an Ambassador, it’s my job to encourage researchers working in Finland to apply for ERC funding more actively than they do now. While some progress has been made, we’re still not active enough. Even though preparing an application does take effort, it’s well worth doing,” Priimägi said, adding that he is happy to support universities in discussing the opportunities ERC offers.
