Kristof Cools wins ERC Proof of Concept Grant for simulation software
(27-01-2026) Prof Kristof Cools wins a Proof of Concept Grant to develop simulation software that can accelerate technological innovation, shorten the production time of various applications and significantly reduce resource requirements.
The winning project: TDBEAST
New developments in imaging and telecommunication, and their applications in e.g. biomedical sciences, geology, climate modelling, and computing, require the fully integrated modelling of electromagnetic and electrical signals. This means the model should account for both small and large features of the system, and the interplay between different types of physics needs to be accounted for. The only methodology that combines all these features, is based on so-called integral equations.
Recent results from the ERC Consolidator project BET3D (boundary element methods for time-domain domain decomposition) have made the development of such a modelling tool feasible. In TDBEAST, Prof Kristof Cools and his team will develop a software package that can be used by designers of new technology, both in academia and industry. Integrating these tools into the development cycle can lead to much faster development, reducing production times and significantly reducing the resources required.
About the ERC
The European Research Council (ERC), set up by the European Union in 2007, is Europe’s premier funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It supports creative researchers of any nationality and age to run projects based in Europe. The ERC offers four core grant schemes: Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants and Synergy Grants.
Through its additional Proof of Concept Grant scheme, the ERC helps grantees bridge the gap between their pioneering research and the early phases of commercialisation.
A new ERC Plus Grants scheme is set to open for applications in spring 2026.
Researchers inside and outside Ghent University wishing to apply for an ERC Grant with our university as host institution can contact the EU team for advice and support.
More Information
Contact
EU Team Ghent University (eu-team@ugent.be)