Bourguignon said that the Education Ministry, the Slovenian Research Agency, research institutes and universities were to thank for the progress made in grant applications by Slovenian researchers.

Bourguignon also said that the ERC was working on a 2021-2027 programme. While some points remain open, he expects a heated debate on the budget, as the ERC wants EUR 120 billion for research in the next financial perspective.

Education Minister Jernej Pikalo said that the intention of Bourguignon's visit was for potential grant applicants from Slovenia to learn about his experience.

Pikalo said that ERC grants were some of the most prestigious and competitive in the world. "It is the state's job to encourage researchers to apply."

Pikalo said that the ministry would propose to the Slovenian Research Agency to set up entry and exit packages for researchers.

"Entry package to make it easier for them to launch research and exit package to allow them to move on after completing their projects and gradually return to their environments and make the best possible use of their ERC-funded research."

Pikalo noted that ten Slovenian projects received grants since the ERC was set up in 2007; the researchers that applied work at the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Chemistry Institute.