ERC Advanced Grant

Deadline: 27 August 2026

ERC Advanced Grants support established research leaders with a recognised track record of significant research achievements. Principal Investigators are expected to be exceptional scientific leaders, distinguished by the originality and impact of their research contributions.

Who can apply

Applications are open to people from any nationality, and from any field of research.

There is no formal eligibility criteria with respect to career stage or academic age. Instead, applicants must demonstrate: 

  • outstanding leadership
  • a strong record of major research achievements
  • an ambitious, ground‑breaking, and feasible research proposal

A researcher may participate as a Principal Investigator in only one ERC main frontier research grant at any given time.

PI time commitment

PIs are required to spend of 50% of their working time in an EU Member State (or Associated Country) and a minimum of 30% of their working time on their ERC project.

Funding available

Up to €2.5 million for 5 years (pro rata for shorter projects)

Additional funding available: 

  • Up to €1 million for eligible costs, including: 
    • Start‑up costs
    • Major equipment
    • Access to large facilities
    • Major experimental or fieldwork costs, including personnel costs
  • Up to €2 million additional funding for PIs relocating from non‑associated third countries to the EU or an associated country

All additional funding requests must be fully justified in the proposal.

Call features

Advanced Grants are implemented as a pilot call using a lump‑sum contribution.

Downloadable crib sheet

Download the crib sheet for this call.