About ASCENT-Neutrons
Advanced Skills and Career excellence of Early-career Neutron scienTists
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders in Neutron Science
ASCENT-Neutrons: Advanced Skills and Career Excellence of Early-career Neutron scienTists is a pilot fellowship programme designed to support six outstanding early-career researchers as they establish themselves as independent scientific leaders in neutron science.
ASCENT-Neutrons is one of only 16 projects selected for funding under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) "Choose Europe for Science 2025" initiative, and it is the only funded project coordinated by a large-scale research infrastructure, highlighting ILL's unique role in fostering scientific excellence and innovation.
The programme, co-funded by the European Commission and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), will run from 2027 to 2032, and aims to strengthen Europe's scientific excellence by attracting and retaining exceptional research talent within the European Research Area.
Supporting 6 Early-Career Researchers
6 early-career researchers will be recruited through a single international open call, offering 6 positions established around four new Science Hubs covering quantum materials, liquid-liquid phase separation (linked to human health and pathology), batteries, and advanced manufacturing, as well as transversal mechanisms including neutron imaging and data science.
The selected researchers will address major scientific, technological and societal challenges and carry out their 5-year research projects aligned with the priorities of the ILL Science Strategy 2025. The six research projects will contribute to advancing neutron science while generating impact across academia, industry and society.
During the fellowship, ASCENT-Neutrons researchers will benefit from a unique research environment in one of Europe's leading, large-scale Research Infrastructures that fosters academic and entrepreneurial growth.
Expected outcomes
The ASCENT-Neutrons training and career development framework is structured around three progressive pillars designed to transform talented early-career neutron researchers into independent research leaders:
Foundations - building scientific excellence
ERCs strengthen their expertise in neutron science, advanced research methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches while developing a solid foundation in research integrity, open science, and responsible innovation.
Consolidation - expanding leadership & innovation capacity
During this phase, ERCs enhance their ability to lead ambitious research projects, develop advanced technical and transferable skills, engage with industry and societal stakeholders, and broaden their international scientific networks.
Transition - shaping future research leaders
The final pillar focuses on preparing ERCs for long-term career success. ERCs develop leadership, supervision, entrepreneurship, communication, and science-for-policy skills, empowering them to translate scientific discoveries into societal, technological, and economic impact.
ASCENT-Neutrons provides a comprehensive pathway to research independence. Combining scientific excellence with leadership development, career mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with innovation ecosystems, ASCENT-Neutrons will equip the earlyresearc to become the next generation of leaders in neutron science, whether in academia, research infrastructures, industry, entrepreneurship, or public policy.
Funding: this project is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101313435.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Information about the ASCENT-Neutrons project is also available on the European Commission’s CORDIS research project information platform.