The European Research Council (ERC) has officially opened applications for the ERC Starting Grant 2027 (ERC-2027-STG), one of the world’s most prestigious research funding opportunities for outstanding early-career researchers. The grant is designed to empower talented scientists and scholars who have demonstrated exceptional promise during their early academic careers and are ready to establish themselves as independent research leaders.

The ERC Starting Grant provides substantial financial support to ambitious researchers seeking to pursue groundbreaking scientific discoveries across any discipline. Through this funding scheme, researchers receive the freedom to develop innovative ideas, assemble international research teams, and conduct frontier research that has the potential to transform knowledge and society.

Whether your expertise lies in engineering, medicine, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, computer science, environmental studies, or any other field of research, the ERC Starting Grant offers a unique opportunity to secure world-class funding based solely on scientific excellence.

About the European Research Council (ERC)

The European Research Council (ERC), established by the European Commission, funds investigator-driven frontier research under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. Unlike many traditional funding schemes that prioritize predefined thematic areas, ERC grants operate on a bottom-up approach, allowing applicants to propose research in any scientific field.

The ERC’s mission is to support excellent researchers whose innovative ideas have the potential to advance scientific knowledge significantly while strengthening Europe’s global leadership in research and innovation.

What is the ERC Starting Grant?

The ERC Starting Grant is specifically designed for researchers who are transitioning from working under supervision to becoming independent Principal Investigators (PIs). It supports researchers who have already demonstrated excellent scientific achievements during the early stages of their careers and who possess the vision and capability to lead their own research programmes.

Successful applicants receive funding to establish or strengthen their own research teams while pursuing ambitious, high-risk, and high-gain research projects.

The programme emphasizes originality, scientific excellence, and the ability of the Principal Investigator to independently manage research activities and funding.

Who Can Apply?

Researchers from any nationality are eligible to apply for the ERC Starting Grant provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Applicants must have:

• Between 0 and 10 years of experience since successfully completing their PhD.
• A scientific track record demonstrating significant promise.
• Evidence of producing excellent supervised research.
• The ability to conduct independent research.
• Strong potential to become future research leaders.
• An outstanding and scientifically excellent research proposal.

The ERC also provides guidance regarding eligibility extensions and the calculation of the PhD defence date under specific circumstances.

Eligible Research Fields

One of the greatest strengths of the ERC Starting Grant is its flexibility.

Applicants may submit proposals in:

• Physical Sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Life Sciences
• Medicine
• Agriculture
• Environmental Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Economics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Education
• Humanities
• Arts
• Interdisciplinary Research
• Any other scientific discipline

There are no predetermined research priorities, allowing applicants complete freedom to propose frontier research based on scientific excellence.

Research Location Requirements

Although researchers may come from anywhere in the world, the funded research must be carried out within an eligible host institution located in:

• An EU Member State, or
• A Horizon Europe Associated Country.

The host institution can be:

• A university
• A research institute
• A public research organization
• A private research organization
• Any legally established research-performing institution eligible under Horizon Europe rules.

Applicants may either remain at their current institution or relocate to another eligible institution.

Host Institution Requirements

Applications must be submitted by a single Principal Investigator (PI) on behalf of a host institution.

The host institution is expected to:

• Provide an environment that supports excellent research.
• Guarantee the independence of the Principal Investigator.
• Allow the PI to lead the project autonomously.
• Enable independent management of the awarded funding.

Applicants do not need to be formally employed by the host institution at the time of application.

However, if awarded funding, both parties must have a mutual agreement regarding hosting the project.

Building Your Research Team

The ERC Starting Grant allows Principal Investigators to recruit research teams according to the needs of their proposed project.

Research teams may include:

• Postdoctoral researchers
• PhD students
• Technicians
• Research assistants
• Specialists
• Collaborators

Importantly:

• Team members may be of any nationality.
• Some team members may even be based outside Europe if necessary for the research.

This flexibility enables researchers to build highly competitive international research collaborations.

Funding Available

The ERC Starting Grant offers significant financial support.

Successful applicants may receive:

• Up to €1.5 million for a project lasting up to five years.

Additional funding may also be requested when properly justified.

Researchers may receive:

• Up to €1 million in additional funding to cover eligible research costs.
• Up to €2 million in additional funding for Principal Investigators relocating from non-associated third countries to an EU Member State or Associated Country.

The ERC grant may fund:

• Up to 100% of eligible direct research costs.
• An additional 25% contribution toward indirect costs.

This generous funding enables researchers to purchase equipment, recruit staff, conduct fieldwork, access research infrastructure, and implement ambitious scientific projects.

How to Apply

Applications can only be submitted through official ERC Calls for Proposals.

Applicants should prepare a complete application package that includes:

1. Administrative forms.
2. The full scientific research proposal.
3. Required supplementary documentation.

Applications must be submitted before the official deadline through the appropriate submission system.

Calls are published through:

• The ERC website.
• The EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
• The Official Journal of the European Union.

APPLY HERE

Ethics Review Process

Every proposal selected for funding undergoes an ethics review.

This review ensures compliance with:

• Horizon Europe ethical principles.
• European Union legislation.
• National laws.
• International ethical standards.
• The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
• The European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Applicants are required to complete:

• Ethics Issues Table (EIT)
• Ethics Self-Assessment (ESA)

Providing a comprehensive Ethics Self-Assessment is essential because it helps reviewers understand how ethical issues will be managed throughout the project.

The ethics review consists of three stages designed to ensure that funded research adheres to the highest ethical standards.

Evaluation Process

ERC proposals are evaluated exclusively on the basis of scientific excellence.

International peer reviewers assess both:

• The quality and originality of the proposed research.
• The excellence and leadership potential of the Principal Investigator.

No other evaluation criteria are used.

This emphasis on excellence has made ERC grants among the most competitive and respected research funding schemes worldwide.

ERC Research Data Platforms

Researchers interested in previous ERC-funded projects can explore extensive research data through two major platforms.

1. ERC Dashboard

The ERC Dashboard enables users to:

• Filter projects by country, year, panel, funding scheme, and other criteria.
• Export graphs and datasets.
• Analyze funding statistics.

2. ERC Research Information System (ERIS)

ERIS provides advanced analytical tools including:

• Rich filtering options.
• Text mining capabilities.
• Interactive visualizations.
• Bibliometric information.
• Project outputs.
• Exportable datasets.

These platforms help applicants understand funding trends and previous successful projects.

Learning Resources for Applicants

To assist applicants throughout the process, the ERC provides a comprehensive series of instructional videos covering:

• How to get started with an ERC grant.
• Writing a competitive scientific proposal.
• Preparing the administrative application.
• Understanding the evaluation process.
• Preparing for the ERC interview.
• Understanding ethics requirements.

These learning materials provide practical guidance from ERC scientific officers and experienced experts.

Key Documents Available

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the following official documents before preparing their proposal:

• ERC Work Programme 2027
• Information for Applicants 2027
• ERC Rules of Submission and Evaluation under Horizon Europe
• Guide for Peer Reviewers
• Gender Equality Plans Guidance
• Bias Awareness Guidance

These documents explain the funding rules, evaluation criteria, eligibility conditions, and proposal preparation requirements in detail.

Contact and Support

Applicants seeking guidance can contact:

• Their National Contact Point (NCP).
• The European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA).

These support services provide assistance regarding eligibility, proposal preparation, submission procedures, and administrative requirements.

Important Dates

• Call Opens: 22 July 2026
• Application Deadline: 14 October 2026

Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin preparing their proposals well in advance of the submission deadline to allow sufficient time for refining their research ideas, securing host institution commitments, completing ethics documentation, and gathering all required supporting materials.

Why Consider Applying?

The ERC Starting Grant is recognized globally as one of the most prestigious funding schemes for early-career researchers. Beyond the financial support, receiving an ERC grant significantly enhances a researcher’s international reputation and opens doors to future collaborations, institutional leadership opportunities, and long-term research success.

The programme is particularly attractive because it:

• Supports curiosity-driven frontier research.
• Funds projects in all scientific disciplines.
• Rewards scientific excellence above all else.
• Allows researchers considerable intellectual freedom.
• Encourages international collaboration.
• Provides generous funding for ambitious research programmes.
• Enables researchers to establish independent careers.

Visit HERE for more information about the ERC Starting Grant 2027.

Conclusion

The ERC Starting Grant 2027 represents an exceptional opportunity for talented early-career researchers seeking to establish themselves as independent scientific leaders. With funding of up to €1.5 million over five years—plus additional funding where justified—the programme empowers researchers to pursue pioneering ideas without restrictions on research topics. By evaluating proposals solely on scientific excellence and supporting applicants from all nationalities, the ERC continues to foster world-class research that drives innovation and expands the frontiers of knowledge. Prospective applicants should begin preparing early, carefully review the official guidance documents, and ensure that their proposals are submitted before the 14th of October 2026 deadline.

For more global Grant opportunities, visit OFY HERE.