ERC support activities in 2025

1. Support for ERC applicants We will continue our support activities from previous years, such as online ERC training, annotated application forms, regular meetings to support application writing, peer review possibilities, ERC consultancy reviews and more. We recommend that researchers planning to submit their ERC applications in 2025 would register early in our ERC support process to benefit from all support activities. Please see more details in our specific ERC Patio pagehttps://patio.oulu.fi/en/services-and-instructions/research-support/funding-instruments/horizon-europe-european-research .

Please complete this registration formhttps://link.webropol.com/s/ercoulu to register for the support process.

To learn more about ERC grants, visit the ERC websitehttps://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant

2. New in 2025: ERC Accelerator Programme The Accelerator Programme aims to ignite creativity and assist participants in forming groundbreaking research ideas through three engaging workshops.

* Session 1 - Let's Get Started 17.2.2025, 1 pm-4 pm In the first session, participants will learn about ERC grants, watch inspiring ERC grantee videos, and engage in warm-up exercises and creativity-boosting activities.

* Session 2 - What Are ERC-Level Ideas? 17.3.2025, 1 pm-4 pm The second session features an inspirational speech by Lotte Jaspers from Yellow Research, who discusses the ambition required for ERC applications and the concept of blue skies research. Participants will also explore what it means to be a Principal Investigator (PI) and engage in group discussions to overcome barriers to aiming high. * Session 3 - Working on Your Idea/Concept 14.4.2025, 1 pm-4 pm In the final session, participants will work on developing their individual research ideas, whether imaginative or real, into ERC-level application concepts.

ERC Accelerator sessions are held on the Linnanmaa campus.

Please fill out this registration formhttps://link.webropol.com/s/ERCAccelerator to reserve your place in the ERC Accelerator Programme. We encourage all interested researchers to join this new programme and take the first step towards securing ERC funding!

3. Online ERC Training - How to write a successful ERC proposal (19.-20.5.2025)

Monday 19 May, 9:30-12:00 and Tuesday 20 May, 9:30-12:00

The two-part webinar-form ERC training provides a roadmap to submission, tackling stumbling blocks that you, as Principal Investigator (PI), may have when writing your ERC grant application.

This training will focus on creating the right mindset for submitting a proposal, covering the ERC objectives and evaluation criteria, what the panels expect, how to strategically approach the design of the project,

and how to generate a convincing argumentation that will allow the reviewers to understand the feasibility of your ambitious research project.

This training will also guide participants systematically through the different parts of the proposal writing, addressing the critical elements for writing the CV part, extended synopsis and B2.

The training will be recorded, and the recordings will be made available to the registered participants.

Click here to access the event pagehttps://patio.oulu.fi/en/events/online-erc-training-19-2052025 where you can register for the training.

4. ERC Applications Reading Day (27.5.2025) The University of Oulu will host successful ERC Applications Reading Day on Tuesday 27.5.2025. This event will offer applicants an excellent opportunity to see what successful ERC applications look like.

The event is organised in collaboration with the Academy of Finland.

Registration for the event will open in February-March.

In case you need any further information please feel free 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.fimailto:paivi.tomperi@oulu.fi

Room: M202