[HORIZON EUROPE] ERC Starting Grant call 2026 published with deadline on 14 October 2025
Who should apply?
The ERC Starting Grant call 2025 is targeting researchers who have successfully defended their first PhD at least 2 and up to 7 years prior to 1 January 2026.
Cut-off dates: successful defence of PhD between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023 (inclusive), with eligibility periods to be extended beyond 7 years for certain situations, such as maternity, paternity leave, illness.
More information can be found in the ERC 2026 work programme.
- For applicants who are not 100% ZAP at the time of submission, a departmental and faculty approval is mandatory, before submission. If this procedure has not yet been initiated, urgent action is needed. Please contact us as soon as possible.
Important changes in Work Programmes 2026 and 2027
For the current 2026 call, the most important change is the new structure of the project proposal.
The B1 and B2 documents are now changed into Part I of the Scientific Proposal (the concept and objectives of the project) and Part II of the Scientific Proposal (detailed project implementation description). The total page count for both documents has been reduced to 12 pages in total.
- New ERC StG application form (proposal template)
As of call 2027, elibility windows will be extended:
- Starting Grant eligibility: 0-10 years after PhD (extensions possible)
- Consolidator Grant eligibility: 5-15 years after PhD (extensions possible)
- Advanced Grant eligibility: >15 years after PhD (or sooner if you have obtained a Consolidator Grant)
Researchers will be awarded no more than one Starting Grant and one Consolidator Grant during their career.
- This news has been summarized on: Changes to the 2026 and 2027 Work Programmes|ERC
Tools and support
- Individual guidance: contact EU-team@UGent.be as soon as possible, to get the most of our support.
- Project concept meetings: schedule a session with one of our advisors to align your project idea with the ERC's evaluation criteria.
- ERC insights: check our ERC proposal writing sharepoint, for a comprehensive Proposal writing Guide and other useful tips and tricks.
- Get inspired: we have selected a list of funded ERC projects relevant for you, as a source of inspiration to see what kind of research has been funded by the ERC.
Information sources
- Check the eligibility criteria on ERC Starting Grant - Funding Opportunities for Early-Career Researchers
- Read the ERC 2026 work programme for all call specifics
- ERC Homepage - European Research Council (ERC) – Grants, Funding & Innovation in Research
- Find former Panel Members | ERC in the alternating panels (odd and even years)
- Submission of proposals: EU Funding & Tenders Portal
July 10, 2025, 10:17 a.m.