Interview with Czech ERC Ambassador Adam Williamson

The European Research Council (ERC) and the Association of ERC Grantees (AERG) have jointly launched a new initiative “Ambassadors for the ERC”. The new network aims to help spread the word about the ERC across Europe and advocate for frontier research ahead of negotiations about the next EU seven-year budget, the so-called Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034.

It is with great pleasure that we are introducing the Czech ERC Ambassador, a neuroscientist Adam Williamson. Adam is a quintuple ERC grantee working at the St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno. In his research, he focuses on the treatment of epilepsy using non-invasive temporal interference stimulation. To pursue his dream research, he has won two main ERC grants (ERC-2016-STG, ERC-2022-COG) coupled with three ERC Proof-of-Concept grants from the 2020, 2022 and 2023 calls.

In this interview, we spoke about his ERC Ambassador position as well as challenges for research and innovation at the national and EU levels.

LT:

Congratulations on winning the post of ERC Ambassador for Czechia! With your five ERC grants, you truly belong to one of the most accomplished ERC grantees in the Czech Republic. Can you tell us what motivated you to step a bit outside research into the realm of advocacy and apply for this role?

AW:
Thank you—it’s a great honour to be selected. I’ve been fortunate to receive generous support from the ERC over the years, which has been instrumental in advancing my research on epilepsy treatment. Taking on this ambassadorial role felt like a natural extension of my gratitude, and an opportunity to give back by encouraging others to aim high and apply. The Czech Republic is full of scientific potential, and I hope to help ensure that more researchers here see the ERC not as something distant or unattainable, but as a real possibility for supporting ambitious, curiosity-driven work.

LT:

Will the ERC help you prepare for the position in any way?

AW:
Absolutely. The ERC and the Association of ERC Grantees (AERG) are providing both structure and support for this new initiative, including coordination meetings and communication tools that will help ambassadors act effectively across Europe. It’s encouraging to see that the ERC is not only investing in research, but also in building a network of grantees who can actively promote the value of fundamental science within their own communities. I'm looking forward to contributing to this effort from within the Czech research landscape.

LT:

As ERC Ambassador, you will advocate for the ERC cause here in Czechia. What is so unique about the ERC internationally? Why is it seen as an EU success story?

AW:
The ERC represents a rare model in global funding—it supports excellence based solely on scientific quality and bold ideas, with no strings attached regarding topic or application. This has enabled breakthroughs across every field, many of which would have been impossible through more top-down or narrowly defined funding schemes. It's one of the most visible success stories of European integration, and its international reputation draws talent and attention from around the world. The Czech Republic, with its long tradition of scientific excellence, stands to benefit enormously from stronger engagement with this model.

LT:

Ahead of the new programme period, there has been a discussion about a major overhaul of the overall EU funding landscape. What do you think is currently not working well in the EU in terms of supporting research and innovation?

AW:
One ongoing challenge is balancing excellence-based funding with bureaucratic simplicity. Researchers often spend disproportionate time navigating administrative hurdles, and in some cases, promising applications may be discouraged by complex procedures or unclear evaluation criteria. There’s also a need to ensure that long-term, high-risk projects are adequately protected and not overshadowed by short-term, impact-driven agendas. The ERC sets the gold standard here, and I believe its principles could usefully inform broader reforms across the EU funding landscape.

LT:

Let’s zoom in on Czechia now. You have already spent several years in Brno. Compared to other countries, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the Czech R&I ecosystem? Is there anything in particular that you would like to change here if you could?

AW:
The Czech Republic offers an impressive infrastructure for research—especially in Brno, where institutions like FNUSA-ICRC combine clinical and technological excellence. There’s a strong foundation of talent, curiosity, and technical skill. However, I believe there is room to further empower early-career researchers with greater autonomy and to streamline institutional support for international collaborations and ambitious grant writing. If I could change one thing, it would be to foster a culture that is even more outward-looking and fearless when it comes to applying for competitive international grants like those from the ERC – and reduce the, at times, unnecessary Czech administrative burden on the research staff.

LT:

In your opinion, what prevents Czechia-based scientists from applying for an ERC grant? Have you heard any myths about the ERC from your Czech colleagues that should be debunked?

AW:
One common myth is that the ERC is only for Nobel Prize-level researchers or elite Western institutions, which couldn’t be further from the truth. The ERC is about bold ideas, not where you come from. I often hear hesitation rooted in self-doubt or unfamiliarity with the application process. But Czech scientists are more than capable—many simply need encouragement, mentorship, and concrete examples of successful proposals from within the country. That’s something I hope to offer through this role: practical advice and a boost in confidence. Czech education outputs some truly brilliant scientists and engineers, I’d really like to see them compete at the ERC level.

LT:

Thanks a lot for your time and good luck in your endeavours! We at Technology Centre Prague look forward to cooperating with you.

AW:
Thank you very much—I’m really looking forward to working together and to helping foster a new wave of Czech ERC grantees. It’s an exciting time to be part of this research community.

Author: Lyudmyla Tysyachna, ERC NCP

Photo: ICRC