The Association of ERC Grantees (AERG) builds on the success of the European Research Council (ERC) grant programme and is aligned with the common objectives of promoting excellent science within Europe on a bottom-up principle and demonstrating the wider societal benefits of funding excellent, high-risk, high-gain scientific research. AERG's core missions include building and sustaining a science-based community through networking and exchange among its members. Additionally, AERG communicates with the wider public about the key role of fundamental research in knowledge-based societies through outreach and community activities. The association also promotes and advocates excellence-based, bottom-up, frontier science funding in Europe, as exemplified by the European Research Council.