# RISE Europe

**Funder:** FWF
**Budget:** Up to €1 million
**Deadline:** 19 November 2026 (14:00 Vienna local time)
**Duration:** 60 months
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant, must be affiliated with an Austrian research institution
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** AT
**Official call:** https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/portfolio/careers/rise-europe
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds researchers whose ERC Starting Grant 2026 proposal was rejected for budgetary reasons despite excellent review (A rating), submitted with an Austrian research institution. Not open to those with a permanent professorship or prior FWF START, ASTRA, or ERC Starting Grant funding.

## Summary

RISE Europe is an FWF grant of up to €1 million over five years for researchers whose 2026 ERC Starting Grant proposal, submitted with an Austrian institution, scored an A rating but was turned down purely for lack of ERC budget. It is a single-stage, annual call open only within Austria, designed to rescue near-miss ERC proposals rather than fund new project ideas. Applicants with a permanent professorship or prior START, ASTRA or ERC Starting Grant funding cannot apply.

## Who should apply

- Early-career researchers whose 2026 ERC Starting Grant proposal received an A rating but was rejected for budget reasons
- Researchers submitting with an Austrian research institution as host
- Applicants without a permanent professorship
- Researchers who have not previously held START, ASTRA or an ERC Starting Grant

## Key dates

- Annual deadline: 19 November 2026
- Single-stage application process
- 60-month (5-year) project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Reuse and tighten your A-rated ERC Starting Grant proposal rather than rewriting from scratch, the eligibility hinges on that exact rating.
- Confirm your Austrian host institution's role early, since the application is submitted in collaboration with them even though you apply as an individual.
- Double-check eligibility disqualifiers before applying: a permanent professorship or prior START/ASTRA/ERC Starting Grant funding rules you out.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for FWF RISE Europe?

Only researchers whose ERC Starting Grant 2026 proposal, submitted with an Austrian institution, received an A rating but was rejected for budgetary reasons.

### How much does RISE Europe fund?

Up to €1 million over a 60-month project duration.

### Can I apply to RISE Europe if I already hold an ERC Starting Grant or START award?

No, applicants with prior START, ASTRA or ERC Starting Grant funding, or a permanent professorship, are ineligible.

### Is RISE Europe a consortium grant?

No, it is submitted by an individual applicant in collaboration with the Austrian research institution that hosts the project.

### Does FWF run RISE Europe every year?

Yes, it is an annual call tied to each year's ERC Starting Grant results.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwf-rise-europe-2026-11) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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