Career stage
Early-career / starting
Starting grants for researchers 2–7 years post-PhD: ERC StG, NWO Veni, EMBO Installation
28 open calls
The "first independent PI" career stage has dedicated programmes across Europe. ERC Starting Grant (2–7 years post-PhD) is the flagship. National schemes include NWO Veni (NL), DFG Emmy Noether (DE), SNSF Ambizione (CH), FWO Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship (BE), EMBO Installation Grant. This page tracks every open call for researchers establishing their first independent group.
Open calls
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
€15,000 + up to €10,000 per year
1 Apr 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Young Investigator Grant 2026
~€750K-1M (typical YIG budget)
7 Apr 2026
KWF
Young Investigator Grant (YIG)
€1,000,000–€1,400,000
7 Apr 2026
KWF
KWF Young Investigator Grant 2026
Max €600,000
7 Apr 2026
Swedish Research Council (VR)
Swedish Research Council Starting Grant - Natural & Engineering Sciences
Typically SEK 1-3M/year (~€90K-270K/year)
14 Apr 2026
Swedish Research Council
Starting grant within natural and engineering sciences
14 Apr 2026
EMBO
EMBO Installation Grants
€50,000 annually for 5 years
15 Apr 2026
EMBO
EMBO Installation Grants
€50,000 annually for 5 years
15 Apr 2026
SNSF
SNSF Starting Grants 2026
Up to CHF 1M
5 May 2026 · 4d
Open to all disciplines; applicants must hold a doctorate or equivalent and have a Swiss-link (≥2 years research in Switzerland at ≥80% FTE). Supports early-career researchers leading an independent project and research team at a Swiss higher education or research institution, at assistant professor or group leader level. Extra budget earmarked for outstanding female applicants.
Wellcome
Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers
Up to £30,000
30 Jun 2026 · 60d
Wellcome
Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers
Up to £30,000
30 Jun 2026 · 60d
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
12 Jul 2026 · 72d
KWF
Exploration Call 2026-3
1 Sept 2026 · 123d
Funds fundamental (Basic) and Credentialing cancer research addressing biological mechanisms of cancer onset, growth, and spread, as well as psychosocial mechanisms. Proposal types include Research Project, Consortium, and Unique High-Risk. Young Investigator Grants must be submitted under a separate YIG call.
ERC
ERC Starting Grant 2027
Up to €1.5M (+ €1M additional for start-up/equipment)
15 Oct 2026 · 167d
SNSF
Ambizione Call 2026
3 Nov 2026 · 186d
For early-career researchers (within 4 years post-PhD, or 9 years post-medical exam with ≥3 years clinical work) wishing to conduct an independent project at a Swiss higher education institution. Applicants must have Swiss nationality, a Swiss degree, or ≥12 months research experience in Switzerland. Covers grantee salary and project funds. This is the final Ambizione call before the scheme is replaced by a new postdoctoral funding scheme in 2028.
Wellcome
Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers
Up to £30,000
31 Dec 2026 · 244d
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
1 Apr 2027 · 335d
Supports life scientists who have been group leaders for less than four years at the time of application. Provides financial support for networking, training opportunities, support for lab members, and mentoring for four years. Part of an international network of EMBO Young Investigators, Installation Grantees and Global Investigators.
EMBO
EMBO Installation Grants
15 Apr 2027 · 349d
Supports group leaders who relocate to host countries participating in the EMBO Installation Grant scheme. Applicants must provide confirmation and description of the receiving institute, including available infrastructure and start-up package. Journal impact factors must not be included; EMBO is a DORA signatory.
ALSF
Young Investigator Grants
Early career research grant for young investigators in childhood cancer research. Part of ALSF's Early Career Research program aimed at engaging researchers early in their careers to foster long-term commitments to finding cures.
ERC
ERC Starting Grant (StG) 2026
Up to €1M standard, up to €2M additional relocation funding
For researchers 2–7 years post-PhD (defence date between 1 Jan 2019 and 31 Dec 2023). PI must dedicate minimum 50% working time to project, with at least 50% of total working time in an EU Member State or Associated Country. Host Institution must be established in an EU Member State or Associated Country. Single PI, no consortium required.
NWO
NWO Talent Programme (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
Three funding instruments (Veni, Vidi, Vici) supporting researchers at various career stages to conduct curiosity-driven research. Tailored to early, mid, and senior career phases.
ERC
ERC Starting Grant
Up to €1.5M (up to €2.5M with additional funding for non-associated third country PIs relocating to EU)
Open to researchers of any nationality with 2–7 years post-PhD experience (extensions possible for parental leave, illness, etc.). Research must be conducted at a host institution in an EU Member State or associated country. Any scientific field eligible; bottom-up, no predetermined priorities.
SNSF
Gender equality grant
CHF 1,000 per 12 months of approved project running time
Available to female researchers at doctoral or postdoctoral level employed in SNSF-funded projects or career funding schemes (excluding Eccellenza and SNSF Starting Grant), and to women at universities of applied sciences without a doctorate. Requires at least 60% work-time funded by SNSF (doctoral students exempt). Funds career support measures such as mentoring, coaching, courses, workshops, and networking events.
SNSF
Flexibility Grant
Open to doctoral students and postdocs employed in SNSF-funded projects who have childcare responsibilities. Covers external childcare costs and/or salary of a support person to allow work-quota reduction. Ambizione, PRIMA, Postdoc.Mobility return grant, and Doc.CH holders are also eligible. Applications submitted via mySNF platform.
NWO
NWO Talent Programme
Three funding instruments (Veni, Vidi, Vici) tailored to various phases in researchers' scientific careers, enabling them to conduct independent research. Targets early- to mid-career researchers at Dutch institutions.
EMBO
EMBO Installation Grants
Funds group leaders in the early stages of setting up their independent laboratories in Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal or Turkey for three to five years. Networking is a key aspect of the programme.
EMBO
EMBO Advanced Collaboration Grants
For group leaders in Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, and Turkey to visit scientists in other EMBC Member States for collaborative projects or joint grant proposal preparation.
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
Supports group leaders in the early stages of setting up their independent laboratories for four years, with networking as a key aspect of the programme.