European Research Council (ERC)
European Research Council
Supporting top researchers from anywhere in the world
ERC grants are prestigious, large-scale awards that support investigator-driven or ‘bottom-up’ frontier research.
Projects in all fields of research are eligible for funding. Scientific excellence is essential.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
ERC funds excellent research through open competitions. Applicants can be of any nationality; they must apply with a host institution based in an EU Member State or Associated Country.
Calls for applications are published in the annual ERC work programme. The most recent work programme is available on the ERC website.
Scheme |
Eligibility |
Deadline (typically) |
Budget / Duration |
Starting Grant |
2-7 yrs post PhD* |
October |
€1.5M / 5yrs |
Consolidator Grant |
7-12 yrs post PhD* |
January |
€2.0M / 5yrs |
Advanced Grant |
Track-record of significant research achievements in the last 10 years |
August |
€2.5M / 5yrs |
Synergy Grant |
2-4 PIs, including one from a Third Country |
November |
€10M / 6yrs |
*Reference date: 1 January of the year of the call
ERC grants are individual awards, allocated to the very best researchers with strong ideas that have the potential to make fundamental advances the frontier of the applicants’ fields.
Applications are welcome from all fields of science, scholarship and engineering.
ERC awards offer long-term funding to Principal Investigators, enabling them to expand and support their research teams effectively.
Queen's is a member of the Russell Group: a group of 24 research-intensive universities across the UK.
ERC grantees to the Starting Grant will become members of the Queen’s Fellowship Academy.
Belfast is a modern capital city, welcoming, easy to get around and an affordable place in which to live and study. As Belfast flourishes as a global food, culture, arts and shopping destination, Queen's is at the social and cultural heart of the city.
SOME OF OUR ERC AWARDS
