ERC / Frontier Research

The European Research Council (ERC) funds investigator-driven research at the frontiers of science and technology. Research may be carried out in any area of science ("bottom-up"). Project proposals are judged on their excellence only.

Five types of ERC grants are available:

The ERC Starting Grants (ERC StG). This instrument allows for excellent young researchers of any nationality who have been awarded their first PhD at least 2 and up to 7 years prior to the publication date of the call, to start ot consolidate early scientific independence. The grant covers the setting up of a small research group and all further costs related to conducting a pioneering (ground-breaking) research project. Funding: 1.5 million Euro for up to 5 years (or 300,000 Euro p.a.), in specific cases up to 2 million Euro.
It is expected that P.I. are able to demonstrate, via their track records (publications, awards and prizes, conference papers, funding ID), a high potential for research independence. The evaluation is based on scientific excellence only and will be conducted in a single stage, but two-steps procedure.

The Max Planck Society (MPG) is open to host groups of ERC Starting Grant recipients working in fields related to our institutes' research priorities. Young scientists interested in applying for an ERC Starting Grant for the purpose of conducting research at a Max Planck Institute will receive support from the Max Planck Regional EU offices. Furthermore, after three years, all successful applicants working at a MPI will have the opportunity to have their work evaluated by a commission headed by a vice president of the MPG. Groups judged as being truly excellent will be offered the option of having their funding extended by two to four years from MPG ressources.

The ERC Consolidator Grants (ERC CoG). This most recent instrument funds more advanced young researchers of any nationality who have been awarded their first PhD at least 7 and up to 12 years prior to the publication date of the call. P.I. are expected to demonstrate, via their track records (publications, awards and prizes, conference papers, funding ID), a high potential for further research independence resp. the consolidation of the latter. Funding: 2 million Euro for up to 5 years (or 400,000 Euro p.a.), in specific cases up to 2.75 million Euro. The evaluation is based on scientific excellence only and will be conducted in a single stage, but two-steps procedure.
The ERC Advanced Investigator Grants (ERC AdG). This instrument supports frontier research projects by established researchers with an outstanding track record of achievements gained over the past 10 years (maximum). Funding: 2.5 million Euro for up to 5 years (or 500,000 p.a.), in specific cases up to 3.5 million Euro.
The ERC Proof of Concept (ERC PoC). This new "targeted" funding instrument aims to stimulate innovation by getting good ideas from frontier research to market. The scheme is open to ERC grant holders only and offers funding up to 150,000 Euro per project.
The ERC Synergy Grant (ERC SyG). This "targeted" grant scheme funds small groups of Principle Investigators (consisting of a minimum of two and a maximum of four PIs) and their teams to gather complementary skills, knowledge and resources in new ways to jointly address pioneering research challenges. ERC SyG offer funding up to a maximum of €15 million for a period up to 6 years (pro rata for projects of shorter duration).

Available budget: 13.1bn (until 2020)

More information:

European Research Council

European Research Council on the HORIZON 2020 Programme

Open Calls