ASCENT at ILL selected for funding under "Choose Europe for Science"
11 Jun 2026The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) will lead the ASCENT project, funded at 1.4 M€ by the European Commission as part of the initiative "Choose Europe for Science 2025". The goal is to train the next generation of researchers and sustain Europe’s leadership in neutron science.
ASCENT is one of 16 projects (three of them in France) funded under the pilot call of a programme that aims to enhance the attractiveness of research careers in Europe and address the challenge of scientific talent retention. It is also the only project lead by a large-scale infrastructure.
“This initiative demonstrates the ILL’s capacity to respond strategically to European policy priorities in science and innovation”
"Ken Andersen, ILL Director"
ASCENT - Advanced Skills and Career Excellence of Early-career Neutron Scientists is an accelerated career development pilot project for outstanding early-career researchers in neutron science. Offering competitive career perspectives, structured career development, and training opportunities, ASCENT is fully aligned with the objectives of the “Choose Europe for Science” initiative.
Six early-career researchers will be selected to develop and lead independent five-year research projects at ILL, addressing scientific, technological, and societal challenges.
“The project will offer researchers in neutron science a unique opportunity to influence the implementation of ILL's Science Strategy, published in June 2025, and contribute to the broader strategic goals of one of Europe’s leading scientific facilities”
"Jacques Jestin, ILL Science Director"
In particular, ASCENT will support emerging scientific priorities of the institute, such as battery technologies (both improving the performance of lithium batteries and exploring alternatives such as sodium batteries), liquid–liquid phase separation in biological systems systems (a process that plays an important role in living organisms and may be linked to numerous conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases), quantum materials (from superconductivity to new data storage solutions), and advanced manufacturing (such as additive manufacturing, which has become a key technology for industrial applications). It will further promote high-risk, high-gain research through flagship experimental approaches and transversal methodologies, including neutron imaging, data science, and industrial partnerships.
“The ASCENT programme will benefit from the unique Grenoble ecosystem, in particular of the GIANT network, which integrates research, higher education, and industry,”
"Mark Johnson, Head of Partnerships and Communication"
This flagship project of the ILL is expected to play a significant role in shaping the next generation of neutron scientists and reinforcing Europe’s position at the forefront of the global research and innovation landscape in neutron science. ASCENT will be officially launched on 1 January 2027 and run for five years. Recruitment calls are expected to open in early 2027, with research projects commencing by the end of 2027. The project was funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) “Choose Europe for Science” call HORIZON-MSCA-2025-COFUND-02-01.