ERC

Starting Grants

Up to €1.5M (+ €1M additional for start-up/equipment)| Deadline: 14 October 2026 (31 days)|5 years

Deadline 14 October 2026 (ERC-2027-StG), confirmed on the ERC call page. Call opens 22 July 2026. Two-stage evaluation: Step 1 results ~Apr 2027, Step 2 ~Aug 2027.

Last updated: 6 Sept 2026

Closes 14 Oct 2026. Add it to your calendar, then see what else you're eligible for. See my matches →

This is the current call of the ERC Starting Grant programme. The programme guide covers eligibility, budget, success rate and FAQ across every round.

What changed in the 2027 Work Programme

The ERC Work Programme 2027 changed who may apply and how often, so a researcher who was ineligible for the 2026 call is not necessarily ineligible for this one. The three changes below are the ones that decide eligibility.

The post-PhD window widened to 0 to 10 years
Applicants must have defended their PhD no more than 10 years before 1 January 2027. There is no longer a minimum: a researcher who defended last year can apply. The window through the 2026 call was 2 to 7 years before 1 January 2026, so it both opened at the bottom and doubled at the top. Documented career breaks, parental leave, military service, long-term illness and clinical training still extend it.
One proposal per Work Programme
A researcher may submit only one proposal per ERC Work Programme cycle, and may have only one proposal under evaluation at any given time. Proof of Concept calls are excluded from that limit. A proposal ruled ineligible does not consume the slot.
Reapplication rules stayed as they were, after a reversal
A C score at Step 1 in the 2025 or the 2026 Starting, Consolidator or Advanced Grant call makes an applicant ineligible for the 2027 call, and a B score at Step 1 in the 2026 call does the same. A wider restriction announced on 16 April 2026 would have added C scores from 2024 and B scores from 2025; the ERC Scientific Council withdrew it on 29 April after community feedback and kept the rules used in past years. Eligibility for the 2028 calls will be set by the 2028 Work Programme.
Source: ERC Scientific Council: readjusted rules for reapplication, 29 April 2026

Source: ERC: applying for an ERC grant in the 2027 competitions. Checked 2026-08-13.

The ERC Starting Grant funds researchers up to 10 years post-PhD to build independent research groups anywhere in Europe, with up to €1.5 million over five years (plus up to €1 million additional for start-up and equipment costs). The call is open to any field of research and any nationality, provided the host institution is in an EU member state or associated country. ERC runs this programme annually, making it one of Europe's most competitive flagship schemes for early-career researchers establishing autonomy.

Details

Funder	ERC
Budget	Up to €1.5M (+ €1M additional for start-up/equipment)
Deadline	14 October 2026
Duration	5 years
Consortium	No
Application	Single stage
TRL	1-2
Frequency	Annual
Next round	July 2027
Career stage	Early-career opportunity

Eligibility & scope

For promising early-career researchers with 0-10 years of experience since completion of PhD, of any nationality, wishing to establish an independent research career and team based at a host institution in an EU Member State or Associated Country.

Who Should Apply

•Researchers up to 10 years past their PhD (from immediately after your defence)
•Any nationality, hosted at an institution in an EU member state or associated country
•All fields of research eligible, from life sciences to social sciences to engineering
•Early-stage researchers ready to lead a small independent team
•Strong publication and impact record relative to career stage

Key Dates

•Deadline: 14 October 2026
•Two-stage evaluation: Step 1 (written proposal review) results ~April 2027; Step 2 (panel interview) results ~August 2027
•Five-year project duration following grant start

Tips for Applicants

✓Demonstrate independence from your PhD and postdoctoral supervisor: panels explicitly screen for researchers striking out on their own research direction, not continuing the prior group's agenda.
✓The Step 2 interview is decisive, reviewers assess your vision, leadership, and ability to manage a small team; practice defending feasibility and risk mitigation to non-specialists.
✓Include the start-up and equipment budget as a separate section in your proposal; ERC allows up to €1 million on top of the €1.5 million base for early-stage team building and infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the ERC Starting Grant pay?

Up to €1.5 million over five years, plus up to €1 million additional for start-up costs and equipment.

Who is eligible for the ERC Starting Grant?

Researchers up to 10 years past their PhD, any nationality, hosted at an institution in an EU member state or associated country.

When is the ERC Starting Grant 2027 deadline?

The expected deadline is 14 October 2026, with Step 1 results in April 2027 and Step 2 (interview) results in August 2027.

Can I apply to the ERC Starting Grant if I'm not in Europe?

You must be hosted at an institution in an EU member state or associated country, but your nationality is unrestricted.

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