ERC Advanced Grant

The ERC Advanced Grant is part of the European Research Council (ERC). The ERC grants are highly competitive and an outstanding, recognised track record is an important factor of success. As well as the research carried out by the researcher, it is an ambitious programme aiming to recognise the best ideas and talents, offering funding opportunities for projects that show scientific excellence and clear research contributions.

What is the ERC Advanced Grant?

The ERC Advanced Grant is a major funding scheme of the European Research Council (ERC). It supports established research leaders with funding to pursue bold ideas at the frontiers of knowledge through flexible, long-term funding. Proposals are chosen from the bottom up, there are no predefined topics, and excellence is the only evaluation criterion.

The programme welcomes high risk, high reward research. Grants are portable, which means that if grant holders move to another university or institute, the grant moves with them. The funding is designed to cover the full cost of the project so that you can solely focus on the science without needing to top up funding, including when planning major experimental work or building a strong research team.

Who can apply?

Applicants can be of any nationality and any age. You apply as a single Principal Investigator with significant research achievements over about the past ten years and a strong record of leadership. The research must be carried out at a Host Institution based in an EU Member State or in an Associated Country. You do not need to be employed by the Host Institution at the time of submission, but there must be a clear commitment from the Host Institution if the project is funded. Your research team can include members of any nationality, and some team members may be based outside Europe if this is well justified.

How does the application process work?

Once the call is open

There is one call each year. Read the call documents carefully, contact your Host Institution early and gather the details you need, then start writing your proposal and leave time for reviews by peers and other scientists. Submit your proposal through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. You can re-submit updated versions any time before the deadline. A complete application includes the administrative forms, the research proposal and any required supporting documents such as ethics materials.

After the deadline

The ERC first checks eligibility. All eligible proposals are then evaluated by external experts, with assessment based only on scientific excellence. If your proposal is selected for funding, it will undergo an ethics review.

Overview: ERC Advanced Grant

Aim of the programme

The ERC Advanced Grant supports established research leaders who want to pursue original frontier research with the potential to transform their field. It encourages ambitious ideas that carry real risk and the prospect of major gains, and it keeps selection strictly based on excellence.

Who can apply?

A single Principal Investigator with a strong record of achievements in roughly the last ten years can apply, regardless of nationality or age. The research must take place at a Host Institution in the European Union or in an associated country.

Funding details

• Up to €2.5 million for projects of up to five years
• Additional funding up to €1 million for major equipment, access to large facilities, substantial fieldwork, or start-up costs
• If relocating from a non-associated third country, the additional amount can be up to €2 million
• Funding covers 100% of eligible direct costs, plus a 25% contribution to indirect costs
• Implemented as a lump-sum grant model
• The total available budget is €746.7 million in 2026.

Deadlines in 2026

The 2026 call opens on 28 May 2026, with a deadline on 27 August 2026.

More information on the ERC Advanced Grant.

About the European Research Council (ERC) grants

The European Research Council (ERC) funds frontier research through highly competitive ERC grants. ERC funded research has the boldest ideas and top talent across career stages: ERC Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants; an ERC Proof of Concept grant to build on an ongoing ERC project; and ERC Synergy Grants for small, high-impact consortia.

More ERC grants or visit the ERC website

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