The ERC is a prestigious funding body established under the Horizon Europe framework to support groundbreaking frontier research. Its primary aim is to empower exceptional researchers to pursue high-risk, high-gain projects that push the boundaries of knowledge across all scientific disciplines.
Key Features of the ERC:
- Excellence-Driven Approach:
ERC funding is awarded solely based on the criterion of scientific excellence. Proposals are evaluated on their innovation potential, ambition, and feasibility. - Investigator-Led Research:
The ERC provides grants for projects proposed by individual Principal Investigators (PIs), offering the freedom to define their research focus. Collaboration within teams is encouraged if necessary for the project. - Disciplinary Scope:
The ERC is open to all scientific domains, covering:- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences and Engineering
- Social Sciences and Humanities
- Funding Schemes:
The ERC offers several grant schemes tailored to researchers at different career stages:- Starting Grants (StG): For early-career researchers (2–7 years post-PhD) with groundbreaking ideas.
- Consolidator Grants (CoG): For mid-career researchers (7–12 years post-PhD) to consolidate their research teams and ideas.
- Advanced Grants (AdG): For established researchers with a significant track record of research achievements.
- Synergy Grants (SyG): For collaborative teams (2–4 PIs) tackling ambitious, interdisciplinary research questions.
- Proof of Concept (PoC): For ERC grant holders exploring the commercial or societal application of their findings.
- Funding Levels:
- Grants range from €1.5 million to €10 million, depending on the scheme and project needs.
- Additional funding may be available for specific requirements, such as equipment or access to research facilities.
- Global Opportunities:
- The ERC welcomes researchers of any nationality, provided their host institution is based in an EU Member State or Associated Country.
- Evaluation Process:
- Proposals undergo a rigorous peer-review process by high-level scientific panels.
- Applications are evaluated in two stages: a written proposal and an interview for shortlisted candidates (in certain schemes).
Impact of the ERC:
- The ERC fosters cutting-edge discoveries, enabling transformative breakthroughs that contribute to societal progress, technological advancement, and global competitiveness.
- ERC-funded projects often lay the groundwork for future research and innovation across diverse fields.
Upcoming Changes and Focus for 2025:
- The ERC continues to emphasize interdisciplinarity, sustainability, and fostering research careers for young scientists.
Specific calls and deadlines for 2025 are expected to be announced, with increased emphasis on digital and green transitions in line with EU priorities.
