# ERC Plus Grants 2026

**Funder:** ERC
**Budget:** €7,000,000 (lump sum)
**Deadline:** 2 September 2026 (Call opens June 2, 2026)
**Duration:** 4-7 years
**Consortium:** No — single PI
**Application:** 2-stage: outline → full proposal
**TRL:** Frontier research
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2027-06
**Official call:** https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Summary

The ERC Plus Grant 2026 offers up to €7 million over 4-7 years for frontier research led by a single principal investigator, with no consortium requirement. The call is open to researchers at any career stage and any nationality, hosted in EU member states or associated countries. Two-stage evaluation (outline followed by full proposal) with an annual schedule ensures a structured, competitive assessment process.

## Who should apply

- Researchers at any career stage with a strong track record in frontier science
- Single principal investigators (no consortium co-leads)
- Hosted at institutions in EU member states or ERC-associated countries
- Projects at the boundaries of existing knowledge with high innovation potential

## Key dates

- Call opens 2 June 2026; deadline 2 September 2026
- Two-stage evaluation: outline proposal then full proposal for invited applicants
- Project duration 4-7 years

## Tips for applicants

- The outline stage is selective; clarity and novelty matter more than detail, focus on the bold question and why you are the right person to answer it.
- The €7M budget is a lump sum; justify the total workplan including personnel costs, equipment, and contingency in your full proposal.
- Frontier research criteria are strict, avoid incremental extensions of existing work; panels reward genuinely exploratory science with managed risk.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I request in an ERC Plus Grant?

Up to €7 million as a lump sum over the project duration.

### Who can apply for the ERC Plus Grant?

Researchers at any career stage, any nationality, hosted at an eligible institution in an EU member state or ERC-associated country, leading a single-PI project.

### What is the deadline for ERC Plus Grant 2026?

The outline proposal deadline is 2 September 2026; the call opens 2 June 2026.

### Is a consortium required for the ERC Plus Grant?

No, ERC Plus is for single-PI-led projects; consortium partners are not part of the core funding model.

### How long can an ERC Plus project run?

Project duration ranges from 4 to 7 years, set by the applicant according to the research plan.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/erc-plus-grants-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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