What are the prestigious ERC grants?

The European Research Council (ERC) funds top-level research through its annual grants. ERC grants are part of Horizon Europe, Europe's main program for research and innovation funding. Scientific excellence is the only assessment criterion for ERC funding.

The European Research Council (ERC) offers its funding to researchers at different stages of their careers:

• ERC Starting Grant: 2-7 years after the first PhD (€1.5 million for 5 years)
• ERC Consolidator Grant: 7-12 years after the first PhD (€2 million for 5 years)
• ERC Advanced Grant: no specific criteria related to the timing of PhD (€2.5 million for 5 years)
• ERC Synergy Grant: for a team of 2-4 researchers, no specific criteria related to the timing of PhD (€10 million for 6 years).

Additional funding of € 1 million is also possible for ERC Starting, Consolidator and Advanced grants and € 4 million for ERC Synergy, e.g., for major equipment costs. 

Next calls

The ERC calls will be open in 2024 with the following estimated timetable:

• ERC Advanced (ERC-ADG-2024): 29 May - 29 August 2024
• ERC Starting (ERC-STG-2025): schedule not yet set (may close in October -November 2024)
• ERC Synergy (ERC-SYG-2025): schedule not yet set (may close in November 2024)
• ERC Consolidator (ERC-COG-2025): schedule not yet set (may close in November - December 2024)

University of Oulu offers support for the applicants

The University of Oulu supports researchers planning to apply for ERC funding with its ERC support process, which is managed by the Research and Project Services. The support process offers, among other things, annotated application forms and a budget template, regular meetings to support the application writing, comments on the application, online ERC application training, a writing retreat, and some graphic design support. In addition, we offer some applicants an external ERC consultancy evaluation to help the applicant further refine the application before submission. We also offer interview coaching for applicants who have progressed to the interview stage of the application process, including a mock panel interview, graphic design services for presentation materials, and presentation coaching. 

Information on opening the support process for each application will be posted on Patio. The University of Oulu support process calls are open as follows:

• ERC Advanced Grant: 1.3.-31.3.2024
• ERC Starting Grant: 1.4.-30.4.2024
• ERC Synergy Grant: 1.4.-30.4.2024
• ERC Consolidator Grant: 1.5.-31.5.2024

Additional funding  from the university

ERC-funded researchers will also receive up to 25% additional funding from the University of Oulu. Researchers who have reached the interview stage (but who have not finally received the ERC grant they applied for) are eligible for an incentive grant from the University of Oulu of up to €30 000 (subject to a commitment to reapply for ERC funding). 

Successful ERC applications reading day in Oulu

The University of Oulu will host an ERC application reading day for the first time. Previously, a similar reading event has only been held in Helsinki. During the event, you can read successful ERC applications. The event will take place in early summer 2024. The date will be confirmed later, and information about the event will be posted in Patio. 

Read more about ERC funding (in English): https://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant

In case you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Päivi

Päivi Tomperi

Research Funding Specialist (Faculty of Science, SGO, KSI, Kajaani)

University of Oulu

Research and Project Services

Pentti Kaiteran katu 1

PL 8000

90014 University of Oulu

Finland

tel. +358 294 483972

mobile: +358 (0)40 7468503

e-mail: paivi.tomperi@oulu.fi

Room: M202