Ghanaian researcher becomes first to receive ERC Synergy Grant

The ERC, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the premier European funding organisation for frontier research. On average, successful projects receive €10.3 million each (GHS 130.5 million). 

Professor Bob-Milliar is part of a team of four researchers to undertake a joint research project on Political Parties in Africa and Democracy. Other selected projects focus on lung cancer metastasis, fire safety in space exploration, or socio-ecological adaptation in East African mountain communities.

The ERC Synergy Grants foster collaboration between outstanding researchers, enabling them to combine their expertise, knowledge and resources to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.

European Union Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Rune Skinnebach, said: “Funding for scientific collaboration and research remains critical, as it fosters development, progress, and knowledge-driven policy-making that improves people’s livelihoods. The ERC Synergy Grant award to Professor Bob-Milliar shows the EU’s commitment to advancing research beyond its borders, and to supporting locally-based experts to find solutions to global challenges. Congratulations to Professor Bob-Milliar.”

For his part, Prof. Bob-Milliar stated, “This project, the largest empirical study ever to be conducted, will elevate the nexus between democracy and political parties to unprecedented levels, and the scientific output will offer new theoretical and policy-relevant insights.”

Prof Bob-Milliar is among 239 scientists, comprising of 66 research teams, announced to receive a total of €684 million under the ERC Synergy Grant.