ERC Programme

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The European Research Council (ERC) funds excellent research in Europe. The funding is open to researchers of all nationalities. ERC grants support outstanding researchers in carrying out ambitious and original research projects across all disciplines. The calls for proposals are open-topic; the sole determining factor is the scientific excellence of the project and the applicant. Applications must be submitted jointly with a host institution and submitted online via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The ERC publishes current calls for proposals, deadlines and application documents on an ongoing basis on its official website.

To the ERC Programme (opens in a new window)

Overview of funding schemes

ERC Grants comprise various funding schemes for different career stages and research configurations. They differ in particular with regard to target group, funding scope and application requirements. The current guidelines of the European Research Council (ERC) are always decisive for the application process; this applies in particular to the eligibility windows for Starting and Consolidator Grants, as well as the applicable rules for submitting and resubmitting applications.*

ERC Starting Grants

For outstanding researchers in the early stages of their independent academic careers.

Eligibility: From the 2027 funding round (calls for applications open in 2026), funding will be available to early-career researchers with 0 to 10 years of academic experience following their PhD. In justified and documented cases, the eligibility window may be extended, for example in the case of parental leave. Funding generally amounts to up to €1.5 million for a period of up to 5 years.

ERC Consolidator Grants

For outstanding researchers who wish to further develop and consolidate their academic independence.

Eligibility: From the 2027 funding round (calls for applications open in 2026), funding will be available to outstanding researchers with 5 to 15 years of academic experience following their PhD. Funding is generally available up to €2 million for a period of up to 5 years.

ERC Advanced Grants

For established, internationally recognised researchers with an outstanding academic record.

There is no fixed eligibility window based on career stage; an excellent academic track record is expected. Funding amounts to up to €2.5 million for a period of up to five years.

ERC Synergy Grants

For groups of two to four principal investigators who combine complementary expertise and resources to tackle a particularly ambitious research question together.

There is no general eligibility window based on career stage; applications must demonstrate that the project cannot be carried out by a single person alone. Funding amounts to up to €10 million for a period of up to six years.

ERC Plus Grants

The ERC Plus Grant is aimed at outstanding researchers at all career stages with visionary projects that go beyond the scope of a regular ERC grant and are intended to enable transformative research.

There is no fixed eligibility window based on career stage; the decisive factor is an exceptional scientific track record at the respective career level. The funding amounts to up to 7 million euros over a period of 4 to 7 years.

ERC Proof of Concept

The ERC Proof of Concept is aimed at researchers who have already secured an ERC main grant and wish to further develop the societal, economic or innovative potential of their research findings.

Funding is currently provided as a lump sum of €150,000 for 18 months.

^{*For the 2027 ERC calls, revised eligibility windows apply to Starting and Consolidator Grants, along with stricter rules regarding submission and resubmission. According to the ERC announcement of 16 April 2026, in principle only one application may be under review at any one time; furthermore, the ERC Work Programme 2027 stipulates that, in principle, only one application per year is permitted, provided that a first application has not been classified as ineligible. In addition, the resubmission restrictions have been tightened. The current ERC calls and the Work Programme in its valid version are binding in each case.}^{https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/applying-erc-grant-2027-competitions-what-you-need-know}

Application procedure

Submitting an application with the University of Kassel

Researchers interested in preparing an ERC application with the University of Kassel as the host institution can seek advice from the Research Funding Office. This includes, in particular, an initial assessment of eligibility, feedback on the project idea, guidance on the structure and evaluation criteria of the application, and support with budget planning in collaboration with the External Funding Management team.

For researchers at the University of Kassel: Please contact the Research Support Office at an early stage.

For external researchers: If you are considering submitting an application with the University of Kassel as your host institution, please contact the Research Funding Office at an early stage with a brief description of your project and a CV.

Host Institution Letter and internal Coordination

A signed Host Institution Letter is required for the submission of an ERC application and must be submitted together with the application.

The University of Kassel will only sign the letter once a finalised budget has been agreed and a letter of support has been provided by the department in which the ERC project is to be based. The Research Funding team will assist you in preparing the necessary documents and will, among other things, provide the relevant templates.

As internal coordination and the clarification of outstanding issues require sufficient time, we ask that you contact us well in advance. Please contact the Research Funding team at least 8 weeks before the application deadline. For application deadlines falling shortly after public holidays or during holiday periods, please contact us at least 3 months before the deadline.

List of academic disciplines at the University of Kassel

For external applicants, the list of academic disciplines at the University of Kassel can serve as a guide to identifying suitable academic areas of relevance and a potential host department.

Core research areas

Faculties at the University of Kassel

University research centers

Up-to-date information and further guidance

Current calls for proposals, deadlines and application documents can be found on the official ERC website. Further information on the application process and peer review is available from the National Contact Point for the ERC at the EU Office of the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology (BMFTR). KoWi also provides support in the form of advisory and information services, as well as ERC interview training.

Dr. Susanne Hoischen-Taubner (National and international funding - EU LEAR & consortia)

Image: Sonja Rode/Lichtfang.net

Telephone: +49 561 804-7698
Email: susanne.hoischen[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Location: Mönchebergstr. 19
34125 Kassel

Room: Möncheberg 19, R. 3210

Go link of this page: https://www.uni-kassel.de/go/erc-programme