A Pluripotent... Research Grant! 

Graziano was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2016, and he is now an Associate Professor at the Department of Biology of the University of Padua, thanks to it. 

He works on Pluripotent Stem Cells, he aims at understanding how they can give rise to all the differentiated cells in the body and to the germ line, which makes them conceptually fascinating and a valuable tool for regenerative medicine. 

“In the case of Starting Grants the scientific productivity of the candidate is rather important. My project is interdisciplinary and it was based on solid preliminary data. The bureaucratic side of the application is substantial, and getting good help with it from the host institution allowed me to focus more on its scientific aspects.”

You were awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2016. When and how did you decide to submit an ERC research proposal?

After establishing my independent research laboratory at the University of Padua, in 2016 I decided to submit the ERC proposal. I first wanted to make sure that my lab was operative and I used the support of the Telethon and Armenise-Harvard foundations for that. I could then focus on writing my proposal.

How has your career changed after receiving the grant?

After receiving the grant, I have been promoted to Associate Professor. Such permanent position gives me stability and peace of mind. The grant also allowed me to hire more collaborators, so that research projects can move much faster. 

What does it take to get an ERC and what are the strengths of your project?

This is a tough question! I think that in the case of the Starting Grant the scientific productivity of the candidate is rather important. My project is interdisciplinary and it was based on solid preliminary data, I think those were the two main strengths. 

How has your host institution helped you during the process?

The host institution gave all the support I needed while writing my proposal and at the time of submitting it. The bureaucratic side of the application is substantial, and getting good help with it allowed me to focus more on its scientific aspects.