ERC Starting Grant 2027 for Researchers with Funding of Up to €1.5 Million
Applicant criteria
- No specific age required
- Both
Opportunity criteria
Opportunity description
The European Research Council (ERC) has opened applications for the ERC Starting Grant 2027, one of the leading international research grants and opportunities designed for researchers at the early stage of their independent scientific careers. The grant aims to help researchers establish or further develop their own research teams and carry out innovative and ambitious projects in Europe.
The grant is open to researchers of all nationalities and across all research fields, as the ERC follows a bottom-up approach without predefined topics or research priorities. Researchers can carry out their projects at an eligible university, research center, or public or private research institution located in an EU Member State or a country associated with the Horizon Europe programme.
Benefits
The ERC Starting Grant provides:
- Basic funding of up to €1.5 million.
- A funding period of up to 5 years.
- The possibility of requesting additional funding to cover eligible and justified costs beyond the basic grant amount.
- Researchers relocating from outside Europe may request up to €2 million in additional funding to help transfer their laboratory or research team to the European Union or a country associated with the programme, subject to the funding rules.
- Funding may cover research team members, equipment, and other resources required to implement the project in accordance with the approved grant budget.
- The opportunity to establish or develop an independent research team at an eligible European host institution.
Eligibility criteria
To apply for the ERC Starting Grant 2027, researchers must:
- Hold a PhD degree.
- Have successfully defended their doctoral thesis within 10 years before January 1, 2027.
- Have a strong scientific track record demonstrating clear potential for research excellence and leadership.
- Submit an outstanding and ambitious research project.
- Carry out the project through an eligible host institution in the European Union or a country associated with the Horizon Europe programme.
- Be able to lead the research project independently.