European Research Council: Supporting Frontier Research in Europe

The European Research Council: Supporting frontier research

The European Research Council (ERC) is the European Union’s principal organisation for funding excellent, curiosity-driven research. It supports researchers as they pursue ambitious ideas that can deepen knowledge, open up new fields and shape future innovation.

What is the ERC?

Established in 2007, the ERC operates under the EU’s research and innovation framework programmes. Its work is guided by the principle of scientific excellence: proposals are assessed on the quality of the research and the ability of the researcher to carry it out, rather than on a requirement to meet a particular policy priority.

The ERC’s Scientific Council sets its strategy and funding priorities, while the European Research Council Executive Agency manages the grant process. This structure is designed to give researchers the freedom to pursue original, high-risk ideas, with funding decisions made through peer review by experts.

What does the ERC fund?

ERC grants support research across all disciplines, from the physical and life sciences to the social sciences and humanities. Projects are investigator-led and can explore questions that cross traditional academic boundaries. Researchers choose their topic and approach, provided the proposal meets the ERC’s standards for scientific excellence.

The main grant schemes support researchers at different stages of their careers:

• Starting Grants help early-career researchers establish an independent team or research programme.
• Consolidator Grants support researchers developing their independence and strengthening their research groups.
• Advanced Grants enable established researchers to pursue ambitious projects.
• Synergy Grants bring together small groups of researchers with complementary expertise to tackle complex questions.
• Proof of Concept Grants help current ERC grant holders explore the potential practical or commercial applications of their research.

Who can apply?

Researchers of any nationality can apply for an ERC grant. The research must generally be carried out at a host institution in an EU Member State or a country associated with the relevant EU research programme. The United Kingdom is associated with Horizon Europe, the EU’s current research and innovation programme, so UK-based researchers and institutions can take part under the applicable scheme rules.

Applicants are assessed through a competitive, international peer-review process. The criteria vary by grant scheme, but the central consideration is the excellence of the proposed research and the researcher or research team.

Why ERC funding matters

ERC grants can give researchers the time, resources and independence to investigate questions that may be too novel or uncertain for more targeted funding. The results can advance fundamental understanding and, over time, contribute to new technologies, public services, cultural insight and solutions to societal challenges.

The ERC also helps strengthen Europe’s research environment by attracting and retaining talented researchers, supporting collaboration and encouraging institutions to provide the conditions in which excellent research can flourish.

Looking ahead

In a rapidly changing world, investment in frontier research helps expand what is known and what may become possible. By backing researchers with the freedom to pursue bold ideas, the European Research Council plays an important role in Europe’s scientific and intellectual life.

 

European Research Council (ERC): Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the European Research Council (ERC)?
2. What types of research does the ERC fund?
3. Who is eligible to apply for an ERC grant?
4. What are the different types of ERC grants?
5. How are ERC grant applications assessed?
6. How can I apply for an ERC grant?

What is the European Research Council (ERC)?

The European Research Council (ERC) is the European Union’s funding body for excellent, curiosity-driven research. It awards competitive grants to researchers across all disciplines, supporting ambitious projects chosen through independent peer review. By giving researchers the freedom and resources to explore original ideas, the ERC aims to advance knowledge and strengthen research in Europe.

What types of research does the ERC fund?

The European Research Council (ERC) funds excellent, investigator-led research across all academic disciplines, including the physical and life sciences, social sciences and humanities. It supports projects chosen for their scientific excellence and ambition, rather than requiring them to fit a specific topic or policy priority. This gives researchers the freedom to pursue original ideas, explore challenging questions and develop new areas of knowledge.

Who is eligible to apply for an ERC grant?

Researchers of any nationality can apply for a European Research Council (ERC) grant, provided their research is hosted by an eligible institution in an EU Member State or a country associated with the relevant EU research programme. Applications are assessed on scientific excellence, while eligibility requirements vary by scheme: Starting and Consolidator Grants include career-stage criteria, Advanced Grants are intended for established researchers, and Synergy Grants are for teams of researchers. Applicants should check the current call conditions for detailed rules.

What are the different types of ERC grants?

The European Research Council (ERC) offers Starting Grants for researchers beginning to establish their own independent team or programme, Consolidator Grants for those building on an established research career, and Advanced Grants for leading researchers pursuing ambitious projects. Synergy Grants support groups of researchers combining complementary expertise to tackle complex questions, while Proof of Concept Grants help current ERC grant holders explore the practical or commercial potential of their research. All ERC grants are awarded through competitive assessment, with scientific excellence at their core.

How are ERC grant applications assessed?

ERC grant applications are assessed through a rigorous, peer-reviewed process led by independent experts from across the world. Proposals are evaluated primarily on scientific excellence, including the originality and ambition of the research, its potential impact on the field, and the applicant’s expertise and ability to carry it out. The assessment typically involves a panel review and, depending on the scheme, input from external specialists. As competition is strong, only the highest-ranked proposals receive funding.

How can I apply for an ERC grant?

To apply for a European Research Council (ERC) grant, first check the relevant scheme, eligibility requirements and current call timetable on the ERC or European Commission website. Applications are submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, usually with the support of a host institution in an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe. Prepare a research proposal and supporting documents in line with the call instructions, then submit them before the deadline. Proposals are assessed through peer review, with scientific excellence as the central criterion; contacting your institution’s research support office can help you navigate the process.