September 4, 2025 – The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly congratulates two of its outstanding researchers on receiving the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants for 2025. The grants valued between €1.5-1.7 million (about 1.7 – 1.9 million USD)   support promising early-career researchers in launching independent projects that push the frontiers of scientific knowledge. The new recipients join a long list of Hebrew University researchers who have received these prestigious grants in recent years. 

The ERC, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the premier European funding organization for excellent frontier research. It funds creative researchers of any nationality and age, to run projects and offers four core grant schemes: Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants, and Synergy Grants, along with its additional Proof of Concept Grant scheme. The ERC helps grantees to bridge the gap between their pioneering research and early phases of its commercialization. 

This year’s Hebrew University grant recipients are: 

Dr. Anat Arzi, from the Department of Medical Neurobiology and the Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences at the Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, heads the Natural and Pathological (un)Consciousness Laboratory. She has received an ERC grant for her research on the dynamics of brain activity that underlie responsiveness across changing states of consciousness, ranging from everyday sleep to severe brain injury. Her research investigates how sensory signals, such as smells and sounds, influence the unconscious brain and how subtle traces of responsiveness can be detected in patients who appear unresponsive. By identifying the local brain rhythms associated with fleeting moments of responsiveness, the study seeks to advance our understanding of transitions between unconscious and conscious states, with significant implications for both basic neuroscience and clinical care. 

Dr. Ariel Goldstein, from the Department of Cognitive Sciences and Brain and the Department of Data Science at the Hebrew University Business School, received an ERC grant for the sum of €1.5 million (about 1.7 million USD) for his innovative research proposal on the neural basis of language generation during natural communication. His study explores how the human brain plans speech, selects words, and creates meaningful communication during conversation. To do this, Dr. Goldstein will combine advanced brain activity recording technologies with AI-based models. The insights from his research are expected to deepen our understanding of cognitive processes, contribute to the study of language disorders, and even influence the development of intelligent communication interfaces in the future. 

Prof. Tamir Sheafer, Rector of the Hebrew University, stated, “We are immensely proud of Dr. Arzi and Dr. Goldstein for receiving these prestigious ERC Starting Grants. Their innovative research—on the boundaries of consciousness and the foundations of human communication—not only pushes the frontiers of science but also speaks to our shared humanity. In a time marked by uncertainty and hardship, their work reminds us of the vital role science plays in deepening understanding, fostering resilience, and improving lives. The Hebrew University remains committed to supporting world-class research that responds to both timeless questions and pressing realities.” 

Since 2007, the European Research Council has been awarding ERC grants to outstanding researchers across Europe. Recipients are selected  from thousands of candidates based on proposals that demonstrate innovation, originality, and significant scientific potential. The success of Hebrew University researchers is a testament to the University’s research excellence and academic leadership on the international stage.