The ERC’s research grants support already established research team leaders and encourage new future research leaders to operate within Europe. The sole selection criterion is scientific excellence.
The budget for the years 2021–2027 is 16 billion EUR. This corresponds to 17 per cent of Horizon Europe’s total budget for the same period.
Five types of grant
ERC Starting Grant is aimed at those who are at the beginning of their careers and have obtained their doctoral degree 2-7 years ago. Grant amount: up to 1.5 million EUR for a maximum period of five years.
ERC Consolidator Grant is for those who have recently started a research team and want to strengthen their role as research leaders (7–12 years after obtaining their doctoral degree). Grant amount: up to 2 million EUR for a maximum period of five years.
ERC Advanced Grant is aimed at those who are established world-class researchers with significant research experience over the past ten years. Grant amount: up to 2.5 million EUR for a maximum period of five years.
ERC Proof of Concept is for those who have already been granted funding from the ERC and want to explore the innovation potential of their ERC-funded projects. Grant amount: up to 150 000 EUR for a period of up to 18 months.
ERC Synergy Grant is aimed at small teams of highly distinguished researchers who want to collaborate on a common research project. Grant amount: up to 10 million EUR for a period of up to six years.
See all current calls on the ERC website
External link.
Competition encourages research communication
ERC Public Engagement with Research Award External link. recognises and rewards grant recipients who successfully engage audiences outsides their domain with ERC-funded research. The competition is divided into three categories: involve (citizen science), inspire (public engagement, contacts with the public), influence (press and media relations as well as social media). The award covers 10 000 EUR.
Who can apply for funding?
Active researchers who meet the eligibility requirements for the respective call and who are based at a higher education institution (HEI) or a private research institute in one of the EU member states.
Your HEI can provide support in the application process
Many Swedish HEIs have research support units or equivalent that offer professional and qualified advice for those who want to apply for a grant from the ERC. They can assist in the application process if you have a Swedish HEI as the host institution.
What can the Swedish Research Council help with?
The Swedish Research Council works to promote Sweden’s participation in the ERC. We have a national contact person (NCP) who acts as a link between researchers in Sweden, administrative staff at Swedish HEIs, and the ERC’s executive agency (ERCEA). The responsibility includes informing about calls, the application process, and other activities.
You are welcome to contact our national contact person Anethe Mansén, anethe.mansen@vr.se, if you have questions about the ERC. For more specific questions about your application, please contact your HEI.
Interview training before step 2
We regularly arrange workshops with interview training for researchers who have advanced to step 2 in the application process. This applies to the ERC Starting Grant, ERC Consolidator Grant, and ERC Advanced Grant.
Funding for researchers on the ERC’s reserve list
The Swedish Research Council offers funding equivalent to the Swedish Research Council’s starting or consolidation grants to researchers who have received the highest grade on their application (A) and are on the ERC’s reserve list.
Read more
ERC´s website: ”Frequently asked questions about the application process” External link.
YouTube: Step by Step to the ERC application process External link.
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