# Starting Grant

**Funder:** ERC
**Budget:** Up to €1.5M
**Deadline:** 14 October 2026 (ERC-2027-STG call open; see EU Funding & Tenders Portal for exact deadline)
**Duration:** 5 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2027-01
**Official call:** https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/starting-grant
**Last updated:** 6 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

For promising researchers with 0-10 years of experience since completion of PhD who wish to establish their own independent research team or programme.

## Summary

The ERC Starting Grant funds early-career researchers with 2-12 years of post-PhD experience to establish independent research groups across Europe, with up to €1.5 million over five years (up to €2 million for researchers relocating from outside Horizon Europe associated countries). Open to any nationality and any field of research, the call supports bottom-up, single-PI projects at public or private research organisations in EU Member States or associated countries. ERC runs this programme annually.

## Who should apply

- Researchers 2-12 years post-PhD, with possible extensions for parental leave or illness
- Any nationality, hosted at a public or private research organisation in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country
- All fields of research eligible
- Single-PI projects with a clear vision of independence from previous mentors

## Key dates

- Deadline: 14 October 2026
- Two-step evaluation: Step 1 reviews Part B1, Step 2 adds the full proposal and a panel interview
- 5-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Relocating from a non-associated third country? You may be eligible for up to €2M in funding; make this explicit in the proposal context.
- Reviewers assess independence from your PhD/postdoc supervisor carefully, distinguish your research agenda clearly.
- The proposal must demonstrate feasibility and risk mitigation alongside ambition; vague high-impact claims without implementation detail score poorly.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I get from an ERC Starting Grant?

Up to €1.5 million over five years; up to €2 million if you are relocating from a non-associated third country.

### What is the post-PhD eligibility window for the ERC Starting Grant?

2-12 years post-PhD, with possible extensions for parental leave, illness, or other qualifying absences.

### Can I apply for an ERC Starting Grant if I am not from an EU country?

Yes, any nationality is eligible, provided your host institution is in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated country.

### Is the ERC Starting Grant single-stage or multi-stage?

There is one submission and no separate pre-proposal round, but the evaluation runs in two steps: panels review Part B1 at Step 1, then shortlisted applicants face full assessment of Part B2 and a panel interview at Step 2.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/erc-starting-grant-2026-10) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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