Career stage
Senior / advanced PI
Senior-PI programmes: ERC Advanced, NWO Vici, Wellcome Discovery, established-PI calls
21 open calls
Senior and established-PI funding targets researchers with 10+ years of demonstrable leadership. ERC Advanced Grant is the European flagship; NWO Vici (NL), Wellcome Discovery Award (UK), Leverhulme Research Leadership (UK), and national senior-PI schemes fill the niche. This page aggregates every open call matching the senior-PI pattern.
Open calls
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards
Average £3.5 million, up to £5 million
22 Mar 2026
FWO
Bilateral research cooperation Québec
€45k–€85k/year for staff & consumables + up to €150k equipment per project
18 Jun 2026 · 48d
Joint interdisciplinary fundamental research projects between Flemish and Québec researchers, involving at least two of the three FRQ sectors (Health / Society & Culture / Nature & Technologies). Applicants must be affiliated with an eligible Flemish host institution; no distinction between junior and senior researchers. Projects start 1 January 2027.
ERC
ERC Advanced Grant 2026
€2,500,000 (5 years) + up to €1M start-up
27 Aug 2026 · 118d
ERC
ERC Advanced Grant 2026
€2,500,000 (5 years) + up to €1M start-up
27 Aug 2026 · 118d
NWO
NWO-Talentprogramme Vici ZonMw 2026
Up to €1.5M
8 Sept 2026 · 130d
NWO / ZonMw
NWO Talent Programme Vici (ZonMw) 2026
Max €1.5M
8 Sept 2026 · 130d
ZonMw
NWO Talentprogramme Vici ZonMw 2026
Up to €1,500,000
8 Sept 2026 · 130d
ZonMw
NWO Talent Programme Vici – ZonMw 2026
Up to €1,500,000
8 Sept 2026 · 130d
For senior researchers at the consolidation/leadership stage who obtained their PhD within 15 years of 1 March 2026. Applicants must demonstrate academic qualities exceeding international peer group norms and established leadership/mentorship skills. Proposals must be written in English.
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards – September 2026 Round
Average £3.5M; applications above £5M subject to additional scrutiny
22 Sept 2026 · 144d
Open to established researchers or teams led by an established researcher based at eligible not-for-profit organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China). Research must fit within Wellcome's Discovery Research remit and have potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing across any discipline including STEM, humanities, social science, and public health.
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards
Average £3.5M; applications above £5M subject to additional scrutiny
22 Sept 2026 · 144d
Open to established researchers or teams led by an established researcher based at eligible organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China). Research must fit within Wellcome's Discovery Research remit and have potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing across any discipline including STEM, humanities, social science, and public health.
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards – February 2027 Round
Average £3.5M; applications above £5M subject to additional scrutiny
23 Feb 2027 · 298d
Open to established researchers or teams led by an established researcher based at eligible not-for-profit organisations in the UK, Republic of Ireland, or low- and middle-income countries (excluding India and mainland China). Research must fit within Wellcome's Discovery Research remit and have potential to improve human life, health, and wellbeing across any discipline including STEM, humanities, social science, and public health.
ERC
ERC Advanced Grant (AdG) 2026
Up to €1M standard, up to €2M additional relocation funding
For established research leaders with no PhD-based eligibility window, requiring a significant record of major scientific achievements. PI must dedicate minimum 30% 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.
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards
Up to £3.5M (~€4M)
FWO
Sabbatical bench fee - permanent call
FWO bench fee support for researchers in Flanders taking sabbatical leave. Targeted at senior researchers affiliated with Flemish research institutions. Permanent/rolling call with no fixed submission deadline.
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards
Up to £3.5M (~€4M)
NWO
NWO Talent Programme Vici Science 2026
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards
Up to £3.5M (~€4M)
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.
ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche)
Tremplin ERC — Advanced Grants (T-ERC AdG)
New opening of the Tremplin ERC funding instrument to applicants to the ERC Advanced Grants call. Aimed at lowering barriers for submission of European projects and supporting risk-taking by French research teams. Launched as part of the 2026 Work Programme.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Emerging Investigator Grants for Research within Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology 2026 – Nordic Region
Up to DKK 12.5M
Open to senior postdocs, senior researchers, assistant professors, or newly employed associate professors worldwide who will be hosted at a university or non-profit research institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden. Supports fundamental research in industrial or environmental biotechnology with strategic outlook toward scaling, sustainability, and productivity. Research must commence no earlier than May 2026 and begin by April 2027 at the latest.
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.