The European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant 2026 is now accepting applications from established researchers seeking substantial funding to pursue ambitious, high-impact scientific research. Designed to support world-leading Principal Investigators (PIs), the programme provides generous financial support for frontier research across every scientific discipline.

With funding of up to €2.5 million over five years—and the possibility of receiving an additional €2 million for eligible relocation and research costs—the ERC Advanced Grant remains one of the world’s most prestigious research funding programmes.

Researchers from all scientific fields are encouraged to submit innovative proposals that push the boundaries of knowledge and address important scientific questions.

About the European Research Council

The European Research Council (ERC) is one of Europe’s leading organizations for funding frontier research. Established by the European Commission, the ERC supports investigator-driven projects based solely on scientific excellence.

Unlike many research funding programmes, ERC grants follow a bottom-up approach, meaning there are no predefined research priorities or thematic restrictions. Researchers are free to propose projects in any area of science, engineering, social sciences, or humanities.

The programme aims to empower outstanding researchers to pursue bold, original ideas with the potential to transform their fields.

Funding Available

Successful applicants may receive:

Up to €2.5 million for a five-year research project.
An additional €1 million for eligible start-up expenses, major equipment, access to research facilities, or significant experimental and fieldwork costs.
Up to €2 million in additional funding for researchers relocating from non-associated third countries to an EU Member State or associated country.

The grant can cover:

Up to 100% of eligible direct research costs.
An additional 25% contribution toward indirect costs.

The 2026 Advanced Grant competition will also operate as a pilot lump-sum funding call.

Who Can Apply?

The ERC Advanced Grant is intended for:

Established researchers.
Leading Principal Investigators with exceptional scientific achievements.
Researchers with an outstanding track record of originality and influential research contributions.

There are no specific academic qualification requirements, but applicants must demonstrate internationally recognized research excellence.

Eligible Research Areas

Applications are welcome from all scientific disciplines, including but not limited to:

Natural Sciences
Life Sciences
Engineering
Medicine
Physical Sciences
Computer Science
Environmental Sciences
Social Sciences
Economics
Humanities
Interdisciplinary Research

The ERC does not impose predetermined research themes, allowing applicants complete freedom to develop innovative research ideas.

Host Institution Requirements

Research must be carried out at a public or private research organization located in:

An EU Member State, or
A Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Applicants may:

Remain at their current institution.
Move to another eligible institution.
Transfer from outside Europe if supported by an eligible host institution.

Although applicants do not need to be employed by the host institution when submitting their proposal, both parties must agree to collaborate if the project is selected.

Building Your Research Team

ERC grants are awarded to a single Principal Investigator, who may recruit researchers of any nationality.

Research teams may include members working:

Within Europe.
Outside Europe.
Across multiple international institutions.

This flexibility allows researchers to assemble the strongest possible team for their proposed project.

Evaluation Process

All proposals undergo an international peer-review process.

Applications are evaluated solely on scientific excellence, considering both:

The quality and originality of the proposed research.
The achievements and leadership of the Principal Investigator.

International experts assess proposals through ERC evaluation panels composed of distinguished researchers.

Ethics Review

Projects selected for funding must successfully complete an ethics review to ensure compliance with:

European Union legislation.
National regulations.
International ethical standards.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Applicants must include a detailed Ethics Self-Assessment as part of their proposal.

Application Process

Researchers can only apply during an official ERC call for proposals.

A complete application includes:

Administrative forms.
Scientific research proposal.
Supporting documentation.
Ethics documentation.
Required supplementary materials.

Applications must be submitted before the official deadline through the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders Portal.

Important Dates

ERC Advanced Grant 2026

Call publication: 28 May 2026
Application deadline: 27 August 2026

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing proposals well in advance due to the highly competitive nature of the programme.

Why Apply?

The ERC Advanced Grant offers researchers the opportunity to:

Pursue bold scientific ideas.
Lead independent research programmes.
Build international research teams.
Access significant long-term funding.
Strengthen global research collaborations.
Produce high-impact scientific discoveries.
Advance their careers as internationally recognized research leaders.

The programme is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious research funding opportunities available to experienced investigators worldwide.

Final Thoughts

The ERC Advanced Grant 2026 provides an exceptional opportunity for established researchers to secure substantial funding for ambitious frontier research. By supporting investigator-driven projects based solely on excellence, the European Research Council enables scientists and scholars to explore transformative ideas with the potential to shape the future of science, technology, society, and innovation.

Researchers with outstanding scientific records and visionary research proposals should consider preparing their applications before the 27 August 2026 deadline.

Keywords

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ERC Advanced Grant 2026: Up to €4.5 Million for Groundbreaking Research Projects in Europe