ERC Grants are the most prestigious 'investigator-driven', or 'bottom-up' research projects, allowing researchers to identify new opportunities and directions in any field of research, rather than being led by priorities set by politicians. This ensures that funds are channelled into new and promising areas of research with a greater degree of flexibility.
ERC grants are awarded through open competition to projects headed by starting and established researchers, irrespective of their origins, who are working or moving to work in Europe. The sole criterion for selection is scientific excellence. The aim here is to recognise the best ideas, and confer status and visibility on the best brains in Europe, while also attracting talent from abroad.
: EUR 1.5 million over 5 years for researchers with 2-7 years post-PhD experience.
The deadline for the proposal submission is Thursday 13 January 2022 at 17:00 CET.
Draft Applications including Budget in the call template should reach the RSSD office, putting the Project Support office in copy, by not later than Friday 17 December 2021 to ensure processing in time.
The finalised Applications and Budget need to reach the RSSD office, putting the Project Support office in copy, by not later than Thursday 6 January 2022 to ensure processing in time.
: EUR 2 million over 5 years for researchers with 7-12 years post-PhD experience.
The deadline for the proposal submission is Thursday 17 March 2022 at 17:00 CET.
Draft Applications including Budget in the call template should reach the RSSD office, putting the Project Support office in copy, by not later than Thursday 17 February 2022 to ensure processing in time.
The finalised Applications and Budget need to reach the RSSD office, putting the Project Support office in copy, by not later than Thursday 10 March 2022 to ensure processing in time.
: EUR 2.5 million over 5 years for researchers with over 12 years post-PhD experience.
The deadline for the proposal submission is Thursday 28 April 2022 at 17:00 CET.
Draft Applications including Budget in the call template should reach the RSSD office, putting the Project Support office in copy, by not later than Friday 1 April 2022 to ensure processing in time.
The finalised Applications and Budget need to reach the RSSD office, putting the Project Support office in copy, by not later than Thursday 21 April 2022 to ensure processing in time.
Please note that it is the Principal Investigator who is responsible for submitting the application.
Please note that a draft application always needs to be sent in advance of the finalised application in order to allow time for reviewing.
In order to ensure the quality of proposals submitted and equitableness to all applications, proposals received beyond these dates will not be processed.
Please get in touch with RSSD with your proposal ideas today! These calls are extremely competitive, therefore it is essential to plan ahead in order to present a proposal of sufficient quality. RSSD provides support with:
- Evaluation of your project idea
- Upgrading your CV with experience and publications
- Advice on choice of evaluation panels
- Proposals reading sessions, whereby a successful proposal will be available for reading and discussion
- Training programmes
- Proposals reviewing support
- Recommendations for proposal writing consultants
Furthermore, you may apply under the MCST which provides funding under the ERC mentoring scheme as well as funding to participate in proposal writing workshops. In addition, the MCST provides funding for hiring a consultant to support you in preparing your application.
