Europe’s best and prestigious analysis funding physique, the European Research Council (ERC), has formally introduced 5 main fellowship schemes for 2025–2026, inviting daring, excessive-threat, excessive-reward proposals from prime-tier researchers world wide. Whether you’re simply beginning your analysis profession or already breaking floor as a seasoned professor, ERC has a funding scheme tailor-made to your journey to educational excellence.
Let’s break it down right here:
What Are ERC Fellowships?
The ERC fellowships fund blue-sky analysis—radical, curiosity-pushed initiatives with potential for main scientific breakthroughs. Unlike most funding businesses, the ERC doesn’t require candidates to show societal or industrial affect upfront. Instead, it rewards analysis purely primarily based on excellence.
The 5 ERC Fellowship Schemes You Can Apply For:
Here’s a transparent and structured desk summarizing all 5 ERC fellowship schemes:
# | ERC Grant Type | Target Applicants | Budget | Duration | Deadline(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Starting Grant (StG) | Early-career researchers (2–7 years put up-PhD) | Up to €1.5 million | Up to 5 years | Expected: October 2025 |
2 | Consolidator Grant (CoG) | Mid-career researchers (7–12 years put up-PhD) | Up to €2 million | Up to 5 years | Next: December 2025 |
3 | Advanced Grant (AdG) | Senior researchers with 10+ years of excellence | Up to €2.5 million | Up to 5 years | Next: August 28, 2025 |
4 | Synergy Grant (SyG) | 2–4 Principal Investigators (interdisciplinary groups) | Up to €10 million | Up to six years | Expected: November 2025 |
5 | Proof of Concept (PoC) | Current/latest ERC grant holders | €150,000 | 18 months | Next: March 13, 2025 & September 18, 2025 |
Why This Is Big News?
With a complete funding alternative spanning from €150,000 to €10 million, these fellowships are usually not simply grants—they’re profession-defining milestones. ERC fellows are internationally acknowledged leaders in analysis, and holding an ERC title boosts your credibility, community, and affect throughout educational and industrial circles.
And if that wasn’t sufficient, ERC success charges beat the chances:
- ~12–14% for Starting, Consolidator, and Advanced Grants
- ~30% for Proof of Concept
- ~5–8% for Synergy Grants
How to Apply?
Applications should be submitted by means of the EU Funding Portal right here https://ris.leeds.ac.uk/eu-funding/eu-funding-opportunities/horizon-europe/erc/. The ERC assesses proposals purely primarily based on scientific excellence. You’ll want:
- A reducing-edge analysis thought
- A stellar educational observe file
- A willingness to embrace excessive threat for prime reward
No affect statements required—solely curiosity, braveness, and creativity.
5 European Research Council Fellowships 2026 Announced with €10 Million in Funding FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS