ERC Starting Grant

Support excellent Principal Investigators (PI) at the career stage at which they are starting their own independent research team or programme.

Who Can Apply?

Applicant Principal Investigators, who demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their scientific proposal. They should also be able to demonstrate a promising track record of early achievements appropriate to their research field and career stage.

Eligibility criteria: Principal Investigator who has been awarded his/her first PhD ≥ 2 and ≤ 7 years prior to the publication date of the call for proposals (for example, the deciding date for eligibility for the 2021 ERC Starting call is 1 January 2021).

Size of ERC Starting Grant: Starting Grants may be awarded up to a maximum of € 1.5 million for a period of 5 years. In addition, up to an additional € 1 million can be requested in the proposal, to cover specific additional extraordinary costs.

Expected time commitment of the Starting Grant Principal Investigator: Principal Investigators funded through ERC Starting Grants shall spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in an EU Member State or Associated Country and a minimum of 50% of their working time on the ERC project.

Principal Investigators shall ensure a sufficient time commitment and presence throughout the course of the project to guarantee its proper execution.

It is expected that Principal Investigators will be able to start their project within six months of receiving an invitation letter from the ERC.

Further information - Starting Useful Links