The ERC, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It funds creative researchers of any nationality and age. The ERC's mission is to encourage the highest quality research in Europe through competitive funding and to support investigator-driven frontier research across all fields, based on scientific excellence.

The ERC supports research via the following main frontier research grant schemes: 

• Starting Grant
• Consolidator Grant
• Advanced Grant
• ERC Plus Grant
• Synergy Grant (a team of 2-4 PIs)

It also provides further funding for ERC grant holders through its Proof of Concept Grant scheme.

Excellence is the sole criterion of evaluation. The panels will primarily evaluate: 

• the ground-breaking nature and ambition of the research project. 

For ERC Synergy Grant, excellence takes on the additional meaning of outstanding intrinsic synergetic effect. 

At the same time, the panels will evaluate:  

• the intellectual capacity and creativity of the Principal Investigator(s), with a focus on the extent to which the Principal Investigator(s) has the required scientific expertise and capacity to successfully execute the project.

The proposal is evaluated in two steps with interviews taking place at Step 2 (three steps for ERC Synergy Grant). The evaluation is carried out by peer review panels. The panels are assisted by independent external experts working remotely.  The allocation of the proposals to the panels is based on the wish and keywords chosen by the applicant.

ERC grants operate on a 'bottom-up' basis without predetermined priorities.

For more information, please visit the call website  

The deadline for registering for support varies, depending on the particular ERC instrument to be applied for. Please consult the PlanDisc calendar or the support overview document listed below.

• Your local funding advisor is your first point of contact for support. 
• Find more information on which instruments and what type of support F&P offers here (support overview) 
• Find our annual wheel of funding here (PlanDisc)

Please get in touch with your local funding advisor to inquire about the possibilities.

In Fundraising & Project Management, we have experience with several consultancy firms who offer review services on ERC applications. You are welcome to contact us to know more.

An ERC applicant is a single Principal Investigator (PI) of any nationality, hosted by an institution in an EU Member State or Associated Country, who is scientifically independent and applies with a bold, ground‑breaking research idea. 

Formal eligibility depends on career stage (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced), but employment at the host institution is not required at submission, if the institution commits to hosting the PI and ensuring independence if funded. 

The ERC evaluates only scientific excellence, assessed in both the ambition and originality of the project and the PI’s intellectual capacity, creativity, track record, and independence relative to career stage. There are no thematic priorities, impact requirements, or publication quotas – the core question is whether this PI, at this point in their career, is the right person to deliver frontier research.

Applicants to the Starting or Consolidator Grant calls must meet the following specific eligibility criteria i.e. the respective eligibility periods based on the time elapsed between the date of the successful defense of their first PhD degree and the 1st of January of the relevant ERC work programme:

• ERC Starting Grant: 0-10 years after PhD degree
• ERC Consolidator Grant: 5-15 years after PhD degree

Stay updated on the website regarding rules and formalities.

F&P hosts an annual internal information meeting about ERC, usually in February. We provide an overview of the ERC grants, while former ERC panel members and successful grantees share their experience.

Please keep an eye on the events on our website.

As part of F&P's support process for ERC applications, we offer the possibility of participating in online training carried out by an external consultant.  This usually takes place in April.

There are limited spots available, so unfortunately, we cannot guarantee spots for all interested. Priority will be given to those who have not participated in the training previously, who are working on an application for the coming deadline, and who are able to participate on both days of the training.

Please keep an eye on the events on our website.

Fundraising & Project Management offers support in the entire application process, from initial project development to possible [...]

Meetings

• We offer a start-up meeting which includes assistance in assessing whether the funding instrument is the right fit for the applicant (including eligibility check) and the research idea, and whether the timing is right. In this first meeting, we also suggest a timeline to ensure a smooth application process.
• Subsequent meetings are planned in collaboration with the applicant.

Tools

We host a Teams channel for AAU applicants in which we share news and useful material, including official documents and:

• Annotated template
• ERC budget guide
• Ethics standard text

Tools for ERC applications are available in the Funding Toolbox and in the Teams channel.

Review of application 

Fundraising & Project Management offers structured proposal feedback at least twice during the application process, supplemented by continuous advice throughout the writing phase. This includes:

• Two in‑depth reviews of the application, each providing concrete suggestions for changes, additions, clarifications, or strategic considerations.
• Feedback aimed at strengthening coherence, alignment with call expectations, clarity of narrative, and overall competitiveness.

These reviews support the applicant in refining the proposal and ensuring a high quality final submission.

We also encourage applicants to ensure peer review of their application draft from their colleagues and research network.

Submission

Fundraising & Project Management offers administrative support regarding questions about submission in Funding and Tenders Portal. We help with Part A, including suggestions for the Ethics self-assessment, and assist with general information and any submission issues.

After the budget has been approved by the department, Fundraising & Project Management takes care of the Host Institution Letter and uploads it to the Funding and Tenders Portal.

Budget

The budget is managed at the department level, with Fundraising & Project Management providing guidance, recommendations, and alignment support as needed. For further information, please contact your local funding advisor.

Interview support

If an applicant proceeds to Step 2 of the evaluation and is invited to an interview with the relevant ERC panel, F&P helps with the preparations. This includes feedback on presentation slides, discussion of interview questions, and organization of internal mock interviews. 

The application support process is evaluated by means of an online survey sent to applicants.

Assistance from F&P project managers: Assistance with Grant Agreement Preparation. Advice only (EC portal, AAU signatures on DoH and GA).