Are you a scientist who wants to consolidate your independence by establishing a research team and continuing to develop a successful career in Europe? The ERC Consolidator Grant could be for you. You can also apply if you have recently created an independent, excellent research team and want to strengthen it.
Who can apply?
Researchers of any nationality with 7-12 years of experience since completion of Ph.D. (Extensions are possible under certain circumstances — see the latest ERC Work Programme), a scientific track record showing great promise, and an excellent research proposal.
Prospective applicants to 2023 Starting and Consolidator Grant Calls should note that the ERC is aiming to change the Ph.D. reference date for the calculation of the eligibility period from the date of the actual award according to the national rules of the country where the degree was awarded to the date of the successful Ph.D. defense. Whenever the Ph.D. certificate does not show the Ph.D. defense date, applicants should provide written confirmation from the awarding institution stating the said date. This change will bring both clarities to the prospective candidates and significant simplification to the eligibility process.
What proposals are eligible?
Criteria
Applications can be made in any field of research.
The ERC's grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities.
Location
Research must be conducted in a public or private research organization (known as a Host Institution/HI). It could be the HI where the applicant already works or any other HI located in one of the EU Member States or Associated Countries
Host Institution
Applications for an ERC grant must be submitted by a single Principal Investigator (PI) in conjunction with and on behalf of their Host Institution, called the applicant legal entity. Grants are awarded to the Host Institution with the explicit commitment that this institution offers appropriate conditions for the Principal Investigator independently to direct the research and manage its funding for the duration of the project.
Any type of legal entity, including universities, research centers, and undertakings can host the PI and his/her team. Legally the Host Institution must be based in one of the EU Member States or one of the Associated Countries. The PI does not necessarily need to be working at the Host Institution at the time when the proposal is submitted. However, a mutual agreement and the Host Institution’s commitment on how the relationship will be established are necessary, should the proposal be successful.
Team
ERC grants support projects carried out by an individual researcher who can employ researchers of any nationality as team members. It is also possible to have one or more team members located in a non-European country. Vacancies for team members interested in joining an ERC-led research project can be published on the Euraxess-Jobs portal. Initiatives, under the form of 'Implementing Arrangements', exist for ERC-funded teams in Europe to host non-European talented scientists. Find out more about the agreements.
Funder: ERC
URL: https://erc.europa.eu/funding/consolidator-grants
Deadline: 17 Mar 2022
