For early-career researchers (2–7 years post-PhD) with a promising track record and the ambition to become independent research leaders. The PI must demonstrate clear potential for research independence-usually at least one prominent first-author publication without a supervisor. The project must be hosted at a Host Institution located in EU/Associated Country.

Funding: Up to €1.5 million (plus €1 million for additional costs) and duration is up to 5 years.
Ideal for: Talented researchers ready to launch their own research team with novel, ground-breaking ideas in any discipline (“bottom-up”).
All research costs: salaries (PI, staff, students), materials, equipment, travel, dissemination, etc.
Additional costs (like start-up, relocation, large equipment) may unlock extra funding.

Call opens: 9 July 2025 - Deadline for submission: 14 October 2025.

For researchers (7–12 years post-PhD) looking to consolidate their independence and strengthen their research team. A Consolidator Grant Principal Investigator should have already shown evidence of research independence.

Funding: Up to €2 million (plus €1 million for additional costs) and duration is up to 5 years.

Ideal for: Researchers who have recently established an excellent research team with same “bottom-up” scope in any research area.

Covers: Salaries, equipment, fieldwork, consumables, travel, collaborations, etc. Additional funding for start-up costs or relocation.

Call opens: 25 September 2025 - Deadline for submission: 13 January 2026

The Advanced Grant aims to provide substantial support to outstanding Principal Investigators who have already established themselves as leaders in their field. Candidates for this grant are expected to be actively engaged in research and to demonstrate a history of major scientific accomplishments

Funding: Up to €2.5 million (plus €1 million for additional costs), and duration is up to 5 years
Ideal for: Senior researchers pursuing ambitious, high-risk projects and scientifically active and internationally recognised leaders. No rigid years-post-PhD window.  
Applicants must show 10+ years of excellent, impactful research and exceptional leadership in original, influential scientific contributions.
“Bottom-up,” frontier research-unprecedented ideas, multi-disciplinary approaches, high-impact hypotheses, and leadership development.
Covers: Salaries, infrastructure, equipment, consumables, travel, dissemination, etc.

Call opens: 28 May 2026 - Deadline for submission: 27 August 2026

The ERC Proof of Concept Grant is designed to help researchers take the next step beyond academic discovery. It offers funding to ERC grantees who wish to test how their research outcomes could be transformed into real-world innovations, whether commercial products, services, or societal solutions. This grant bridges the gap between scientific excellence and practical application.

Funding: Up to €150,000 and duration is up to 18 months
Ideal for: Bridging the gap between research and innovation
Applicants must be Current/previous ERC grantees (main grants: StG, CoG, AdG, SyG), up to 3 PoC grants per main grant (6 for Synergy). The Idea must be demonstrably build on the results of the main grant. 
Funded activities to explore commercial or societal impact: Testing, demonstration, validation of new technology; Clarifying Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) or technology transfer strategy; Engaging stakeholders, users, or industrial partners; Building a business model or preparing for further investment.

Call opens: 13 November 2025 - Deadlines for submission (cut-off dates): 17 March 2026 and 17 September 2026.

The Synergy Grant supports small teams of two to four innovative PIs working together on ambitious research challenges that cannot be addressed by a single researcher alone. Applicants at any career stage with a strong track record are eligible. One team member (excluding the corresponding PI) may be hosted by an institution outside the EU or an Associated Country.

Funding: Up to €10 million (plus €4 million for additional costs) and duration is up to 6 years
Ideal for: Collaborative, interdisciplinary teams with a bold vision
Interdisciplinary, joint research with clear evidence that only the consortium (not individuals) can deliver the results.
Covers: Salaries, consumables, advanced infrastructure, multi-site operations, joint teams, cross-border mobility.

Call opens: 10 October 2025 - Deadline for submission: 13 November 2025.

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